Health Technician (Audiology)

Veterans Health Administration; Ventura (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Health Technician (Audiology) to support the Audiology & Speech Pathology Service within the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

The role involves preparing patients for advanced testing procedures and assisting with program development in audiology across clinical areas. Candidates should have basic through advanced experience, English proficiency, and the ability to mentor HTAs.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience or education equivalent to the duties of the position.
• English language proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Education/experience combination as described (see qualifications).

Responsibilities

• Prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist (e.g., evoked potentials).
• Mentor and train HTAs.
• Develop and implement the technician role for a focused area of audiology.
• Support the Audiology & Speech Pathology service across clinical and patient care areas.

Skills

Mentor and train HTAs

Prepare patients for testing

Program development in Audiology

Education

Two academic years above high school leading to an associate or bachelor's with related courses

Job description

This position is located in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Service within the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. The duties and responsibilities are carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology & Speech Pathology service. The health technician supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology. 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. 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 least 12 semester hours in courses related to the position. OR 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.
• 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: Health Tech (Audiology) GS-07:

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 and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to mentor and train new HTAs.
• Ability to prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist, such as evoked potentials.
• Ability to develop and implement the technician role for a program in a focused area of audiology.

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-07.

Physical Requirements:

The incumbent must have the ability to sit, stand, and walk for prolonged periods. There must also be a high degree of eye-hand coordination when working with the small components associated with hearing aids and earmolds. Ability to assist or lift a patient may also be required occasionally.