Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Alexandria (MN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Minnesota seeks a staff Health Technician (HIS) to support the Audiology Department with a mix of administrative and clinical tasks under supervision.

Applicants must meet basic requirements: US citizenship, English proficiency, and licensure as HIS; NBC-HIS board certification is required, with temporary allowances for non-board certified individuals under supervision.

Qualifications

• Completion of apprenticeship or two years of healthcare coursework.
• Must hold full, current license/registration as HIS.
• Active NBC-HIS board certification required.
• U.S. citizenship and English proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• Support audiology department with admin and clinical tasks.
• Assist in hearing instrument care and patient management.
• Maintain stock and supply inventories.
• Follow verbal and written instructions and safety guidelines.

Skills

Anatomy knowledge

Infection control

Computers/office software

Oral and written communication

Following instructions

Stock and inventory management

Education

Apprenticeship in Hearing Aid Services

Two academic years of healthcare coursework

NBC-HIS board certification

Tools

Basic email/word processing

Spreadsheet usage

Job description

Incumbent is a staff Health Technician (HIS) under the supervision of a GS-12 staff audiologist or above. The incumbent performs a broad range of tasks in support of the mission of the Audiology Department to include administrative and clinical functions. 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 Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Experience and Education.

(1) Experience. Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists;

OR

(2) Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes coursework related to the field: hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology or other general healthcare areas.

NOTE: There is no combination of education and experience which can be substituted for the basic requirements

• Licensure or Registration. Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a HIS in a state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia.
• Board Certification. Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS).

(1) Exception for Non-Board Certified Health Technician (HIS).

• (a) Non-board certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for appointment, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Health Technician (HIS) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B).
• (b) Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist.
• (c) Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained.
• (d) Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

• Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Grade Determinations

Health Technician (HIS), GS-05.

(1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

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

• (a) Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck.
• (b) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines.
• (c) Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email, creating spreadsheets and word processing.
• (d) Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• (e) Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• (f) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories.

Health Technician (HIS), GS-06

(1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. 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

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 the time of evaluation or examination.