Audiologist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Jefferson Barracks (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Intermittent Audiologist position within the VA St. Louis Health Care System’s Audiology Service provides comprehensive audiological evaluations, assessments, and treatment for Veteran patients across locations within the VA Saint Louis Health Care System.

The incumbent works under supervision of a staff audiologist or higher-grade audiologist/speech-language pathologist and may be referred if licensure requirements are pending.

Qualifications

• AuD degree from a CAA-accepted program or equivalent doctoral degree in hearing science or related field.
• Current full, unrestricted license to practice audiology in the U.S.
• Citizenship and English proficiency as required by VA policy.

Responsibilities

• Perform audiological evaluations and treatment for Veteran patients.
• Provide coverage for locations within the VA Saint Louis Health Care System.
• Work under supervision of licensed audiologists and document care.

Skills

Auditory assessment

Balance disorders knowledge

Patient interaction

Education

AuD degree

Doctoral degree in hearing science or related field

Job description

The Intermittent Audiologist position within Audiology Service at the VA St. Louis Health Care System. The duties and responsibilities include comprehensive audiological evaluation, assessment, and treatment to Veteran patients on an as‑needed basis, with coverage for locations within the VA Saint Louis Health Care System. Incumbent functions under the supervision of a staff audiologist or audiologist/speech language pathologist of higher grade. 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education: Doctor of Audiology (AuD) from an audiology program recognized by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech‑Language‑Hearing Association (ASHA). The CAA is the only accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit entry‑level audiology programs. HR office staff and management officials may verify the program accredited from CAA at www.caa.asha.org. OR, Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the USDE. (A copy of transcripts with conferred of degree date should be submitted with application package.)
• Licensure:
• Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license to practice audiology at the doctoral level in a United States state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia. Non‑licensed audiologists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate audiologist at the GS‑11 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that these audiologists provide care only under the supervision of fully licensed audiologists. (A copy of valid current license should be submitted with application package.)
• 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).

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

GS-11 Audiologist Qualifications: The basic requirements, and in addition the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders.
2. Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA.
3. Ability to interact with patients, families and other health care professionals.

Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve in audiologist entry‑level developmental positions. Audiologists perform audiology assessment and treatment intervention, exercise clinical judgment, adapt clinical procedures and techniques and document in the medical record appropriate information related to patient care.

GS-12 Audiologist Experience

In addition to the requirements at the GS-11 level, completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-11). In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required:

1. Skill in determining nature, type and severity of hearing/communication /vestibular disorders.
2. Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders.
3. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals.
4. Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations.

Assignment. This is the full performance level for staff audiologists. At this level, audiologists are licensed to practice independently in the provision of audiologic services, consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate. Audiologists serve as consultants to other health care professionals and are recognized subject matter experts (SME) on matters related to hearing, tinnitus and balance disorders. The supervisor may assign staff audiologists to any VHA program and setting, such as inpatient or outpatient medicine, primary care, surgery, hearing health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, geriatrics, compensation and pension. Audiologists diagnose audiologic disorders, conduct audiologic or neuro‑audiologic assessments, treat auditory disorders through a various modalities and provide adjunctive interventions for the treatment of medical disorders. Audiologists consult with medical center staff on various patient care issues. Staff audiologists may be involved in program evaluation, teaching, training and research activities. Among the modalities provided are individual, family and group audiologic rehabilitation.

Preferred Experience

Verifit Hearing Aid Measurements and VA Electronic Health Record

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.