The incumbent serves as a Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist), or HT-HIS, for the Audiology section of the PMRS Service of the Dayton VAMC and its Community Based Outpatient Clinics. The HT-HIS position is designed to provide the Audiologists with assistance in meeting the clinical needs of the Veteran population served in the Audiology Clinic. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and Education. (1) Experience. Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. OR (2) Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the position. OR (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. An example of a combination of experience/education is three months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours related to the health care industry. Certification. Certification by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) as a Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC) is required for the HTA, GS-08 assignment only. d. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required certification identified for the HTA, GS-08 position must be removed from the assignment, which may also result in termination of employment. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: HTA, GS-05 (1) Experience. One year of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. OR (2) Education. Successful completion of four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in courses related to the position or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to the functions of the occupation. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck. (b) Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing. (c) Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies. (d) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines. (e) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories. (f) Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing. HTA, GS-06 (1) Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy. (b) Knowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families. (c) Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software. (d) Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aid, hearing assistive technology and patient care, consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist. (e) Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures. (f) Ability to document and code patient procedures. References: 5005/143 PART II APPENDIX G70 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 5 to GS 6. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. The work requires a combination of sitting, walking and bending over, consistent with patient care. There will be some carrying of light to moderate items. The need to push wheelchairs and transfer patients is not frequent but will be required. ["Major Duties include but are not limited to: Incumbent completes non-diagnostic otoscopy, including proper bracing technique, and makes appropriate referrals for abnormalities and cerumen management; Incumbent rechecks air-conduction pure tone threshold testing to assist the audiologist in modifying the treatment plan during hearing aid check and repair appointments; Incumbent will trouble shoot and repair hearing aids, performing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids, assistive technology, accessories and alerting devices. Incumbent will clean hearing aids, their accessories, or assistive listening devices, and change any routine maintenance parts as needed; Incumbent will prepare hearing aids, their accessories, or assistive listening devices for shipment, including proper documentation in the Remote Order Entry Systems (ROES);Incumbent completes treat patients via non-diagnostic otoscopy, including proper bracing technique, and makes appropriate referrals for abnormalities and cerumen management; Incumbent rechecks air-conduction pure tone threshold testing to assist the audiologist in modifying the treatment plan during hearing aid check and repair appointments; Incumbent will trouble shoot and repair hearing aids, performing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids; Incumbent will, under the direction of the audiologist, clean hearing aids, their accessories, or assistive listening devices, and change any routine maintenance parts as needed. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am 4:30pm Telework: not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?Readying Warriors and Caring for Heroes! This position is located within Surgical Services at the CAPT James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, IL. The FHCC is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), and Department of Navy (DoN)/Department of Defense (DoD). It is larger than just a single facility, but rather it is a fully-integrated medical care facility with a single combined VA and Navy mission. The combined mission of the FHCC means active duty military and their family members, military retirees, and eligible veterans receive health care at this facility.VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Join the FHCC team of energetic, career-minded professionals! For additional information, click onhttp://www.lovell.fhcc.va.gov/index.asp.