Health Technician (Audiology)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Iron Mountain (MI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Health Technician (Audiology) at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center provides support to the Audiologist in meeting patient care needs across clinical areas. Primary duties include assisting with diagnostic and treatment procedures, charting, and patient education.

Applicants may be referred before meeting certification requirements, and transcripts are required for certain educational qualifications. This is a GS-04/05/06 position based in Iron Mountain, Michigan.

Qualifications

• Experience: Six months of creditable health care experience or
• Education: two academic years above high school with health care courses; transcripts required.
• Combination of experience and education may qualify.

Responsibilities

• Assist Audiologist in clinical and patient care areas of Audiology.
• Support diagnostic and treatment procedures, charting, and patient education.
• Maintain patient charts and documentation in the Audiology service.

Skills

Anatomy knowledge

Oral and written communication

Hearing/ear anatomy KSAs

Infection control

Stock and inventory management

Basic computer software

Education

Associate degree or higher with 12 semester hours in health care courses

Job description

The Health Technician (Audiology) (HTA) provides assistance to the Audiologist in meeting the clinical needs of the patient population served in the Audiology Department of the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center. Duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. Primary responsibility is for patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education. 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

• 1. 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 with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• 2. Experience and Education
  • (a) Experience. Six (6) months of creditable experience in a health care industry comparable to the next lower level (GS-3) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the Health Technician Audiology
  • -OR-
  • (b) 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 health care industry. Transcripts Required.
  • -OR-
  • (c) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education which are qualifying for meeting the basic requirements.

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. Transcripts Required.

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-04:

Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

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.
• AND
• (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:

• KSA 1 - Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck.
• KSA 2 - Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing.
• KSA 3 - Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies.
• KSA 4 - Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines.
• KSA 5 - Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories.
• KSA 6 - Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing.

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.
• AND
• (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

KSA 1 - Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy.

KSA 2 - Knowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families.

KSA 3 - Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software.

KSA 4 - 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.

KSA 5 - Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures.

KSA 6 - Ability to document and code patient procedures.

Preferred Experience

Preferred experience often includes safe and effective cerumen removal, Hands on work with hearing aid fittings and adjustments and familiarity with clinical documentation, scheduling and patient education. Strong communication skills and prior work in hospital, clinic, or VA settings further demonstrate readiness for patient centered fast paced audiology environment

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. VA Handbook 5005/143; PART II; APPENDIX G70.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS04 to GS06.

Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.