Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

Veterans Health Administration; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in the Alexandria area seeks a Health Technician (HIS) at GS-05/06 to support the Audiology Department with administrative and clinical tasks under supervision. Applicants with pending requirements may be referred but cannot be hired until requirements are met.

The role emphasizes basic anatomy knowledge, infection control, and client communication while handling inventory and patient care coordination in a VA setting.

Qualifications

• Completion of Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists.
• Two academic years above high school with coursework related to hearing science, anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology or healthcare.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and clinical support in the Audiology Department.
• Assist with testing preparation and patient flow under supervision of a licensed audiologist.
• Maintain stock and supplies; triage patient calls and requests.

Skills

Anatomy knowledge

Infection control

Computer literacy

Written and oral communication

Stock/inventory management

Education

Apprenticeship program for Hearing Aid Specialists

Two years post-high school coursework in healthcare

Tools

Email

Spreadsheets

Word processing

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).

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.

(2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. 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 aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software.
• (c) Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices.
• (d) Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use, to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection).
• (e) Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations.
• (f) Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids, hearing assistive technology and patient care that is consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist.
• (g) Ability to prepare patient, equipment, and/or environment for audiology procedures.
• (h) Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests.

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-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.