Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37–50 days of annual paid time off

Health, vision, dental, term life insurance

Retirement plan with federal contributions

Paid parental leave

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring for a position in the Audiology Service at the Durham VA Medical Center. This role involves providing patient care, including instruction and counseling on hearing aids, maintaining equipment, and performing checks on devices.

Successful candidates will have a relevant license and may range from GS-05 to GS-06 in grade. The position offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• Must hold a current unrestricted license or registration as a HIS.
• Board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS) is required.
• Experience in performing non-diagnostic otoscopy and hearing aid repair is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids.
• Perform listening checks on hearing aids and respond to routine inquiries.
• Maintain clean and disinfected instrumentation and equipment.

Skills

Proficient in spoken and written English

Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck

Skill in using basic computer software

Ability to communicate orally and in writing

Education

Completion of Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists

Successful completion of two academic years above high school

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the Audiology Service at the Durham VA Medical Center in Durham, NC. The duties and responsibilities are carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The health technician supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.

Qualifications

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 Language Proficiency: Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Experience and Education:
  • Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists.
  • OR Education: Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes coursework related to hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology or other general healthcare areas.
  • 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.
• 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).
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements outlined above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
  • Health Technician (HIS) – GS‑05
    • (1) Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.
    • (2) Knowledge – Skills and Abilities:
    • Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck.
    • Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines.
    • Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email, creating spreadsheets and word processing.
    • Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
    • Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
    • 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 (GS‑5).
    • This experience must be equivalent to the next lower grade and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities associated with current Health Technician responsibilities.
    • Experience includes but is not limited to: performing non‑diagnostic otoscopy, rechecking air‑conduction pure tone threshold testing, providing patient care in hearing aid repair appointments, completing visual and auditory checks with a listening stethoscope, processing incoming devices, preparing and charging hearing aids, receiving devices and restoring settings after repair or replacement, and maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies.
    • (2) Knowledge – Skills and Abilities:
    • Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy.
    • Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software.
    • Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices.
    • Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use, including assisting patients with insertion, removal and hygiene.
    • Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies.
    • Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids and patient care consistent with the documented and co‑signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist.
    • Ability to prepare patient equipment and/or environment for audiology procedures.
    • Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests.
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
• 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‑06.
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS‑05 to GS‑06.

Responsibilities

• Patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids on an individual basis or in a group setting.
• Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers.
• Performing listening checks on hearing aids.
• Programming previously stored settings into hearing aids.
• Activating remote controls.
• Pairing hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology.
• Maintaining clean, disinfected instrumentation, equipment and work surfaces in the audiology clinic.
• Reprocessing reusable medical equipment according to facility policy and medical center infection control procedures.
• Responding to routine inquiries from patients, including determining the nature of hearing aid inquiries and responding to administrative questions.
• Packaging and mailing hearing aids and accessories.
• Scheduling appointments.
• Verifying orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctly.
• Physical requirements as outlined by VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• Functional Statement #: 000000.

Benefits

• Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.
• Recruitment Incentive: Not authorized.
• Relocation Assistance: Not authorized.
• Pay: Competitive salary with regular increases.
• Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave and 11 paid Federal holidays per year.
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full‑time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of eligible childcare costs for eligible children, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions.
• Health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care insurance: Many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Telework: Not available.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• PCS (Permanent Change of Station): Not authorized.
• The announcement will remain open unless a selection is made before the closing date.