Health Technician (Audiology)

Veterans Health Administration; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Health Technician in the Audiology Service within the Surgical Service Line at VACIHCS. The role involves supporting clinical programs across inpatient and outpatient settings, including acute and rehab units, and requires CAOHC certification and strong knowledge of hearing care.

Candidates must meet basic VA qualification standards, possess related education or experience, and demonstrate leadership in patient testing, documentation, and supply

Qualifications

• Must meet basic VA requirements for HTA/HTSLP/HTASLP as applicable.
• Six months of experience or education equivalent as per basic requirements.
• CAOHC certification required for HTA GS-08 assignment.

Responsibilities

• Support clinical Audiology programs across VA medical center locations.
• Maintain stock and supply levels for audiology services.
• Demonstrate knowledge of ear anatomy, audiology procedures, and patient care workflows.

Skills

Anatomy knowledge

Clear communication

Hearing assistive tech

Infection control

Stock and supply management

Basic computer skills

Hearing aid tech knowledge

Problem solving in patient care

Preparing patients for testing

Documentation and coding

Education

Associate or Bachelor degree with related courses

Two academic years above high school with related courses

CAOHC Certification

Tools

CAOHC Certification tools

Job description

Position is located in the Audiology Service of the Surgical Service Line at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System (VACIHCS), in VISN 23. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service, including inpatient acute, inpatient rehab, inpatient mental health, outpatient, urgent care, etc. The staff health technician at this level supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology

Basic Requirements

• Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• 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 Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least12 semester hours in courses related to the position.
• 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.
• Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Language Proficiency. HTA, HTSLP or HTASLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). 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-04 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Grade Determinations. HTA, GS-05 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 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.
• Grade Determinations. HTA, GS-06 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.

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, spread sheet and word processing.

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.

Reference

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

Full Performance Level

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-4 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at th