Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs Health System in El Paso is seeking a Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) to provide patient care, support diagnostic and treatment procedures, charting and patient education under the supervision of a licensed audiologist.

GS-05/06 level with required apprenticeship or related coursework and NBC-HIS board certification. Duties include hearing aid handling, equipment prep, and coordinating hearings aid repairs and telehealth visits.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Completion of DOL Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists or two academic years of related coursework.
• Current license/registration to practice as a HIS.
• Active NBC-HIS board certification (or temporary entry-level with supervision).
• No substitution for basic requirements.
• English language proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• Perform non-diagnostic otoscopy and refer abnormalities.
• Assist audiologist with hearing aid repair appointments and testing.
• Prepare and charge hearing aids and assistive devices.
• Register, certify and track prosthetic devices and accessories.
• Assist in set up and delivery of in-person and telehealth visits.
• Maintain inventory and ensure proper stock levels.

Skills

Anatomy knowledge

Infection control

Computer literacy

Communication skills

Instruction following

Inventory management

Education

Apprenticeship completion

Two years related coursework

Tools

Hearing aid software

Audiology equipment

Job description

The Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) position is assigned to the Audiology & Speech Language Pathology within the El Paso VA Health Care System (EPVAHCS). The primary responsibility is for patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/31/2026.

Basic Requirements

• 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).
• Experience and Education
  • Experience. 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 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 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 Determination

Health Technician (HIS), GS-05.

Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• (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.

Assignment.

Employees at this grade level serve in a Health Technician (HIS) entry level developmental position and work under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments associated with this level include, but are not limited to: performing non-diagnostic otoscopy including proper bracing techniques and making appropriate referrals for abnormalities and cerumen management; rechecking air-conduction pure tone threshold testing to assist the audiologist in modifying the treatment plan during hearing aid repair appointments; providing patient care in hearing aid repair appointments, consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan; completing visual and auditory checks with listening stethoscope of hearing aids prior to and following repair of device (troubleshoots performance); processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology; preparing and charging (if required) hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery; receiving devices and restoring settings of hearing aid/hearing assistive technology after repair or replacement from manufacturer, such as Denver Logistics Center (DLC); and maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies.

Health Technician (HIS), GS-06

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• (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.

Assignment.

Employees at this level are at the full performance level and work under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments associated with this level include, but are not limited to: completing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories, as well as, alerting devices (troubleshoots performance); registering, certifying and tracking prosthetic devices (hearing aids, hearing aid accessories and assistive devices); and assisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures, including, but not limited to daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment. The Health Technician (HIS) fabricates earmold impressions with proper otoscopy, orders earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC and fits and modifies earmolds, if necessary. The Health Technician (HIS) provides patient care in hearing aid repair appointments consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan and provides counselling including, but not limited to realistic expectations, communication strategies and/or aural rehabilitation. The Health Technician (HIS) maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems to include: monitoring stock of RME and consumable items; ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks; prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment with regard to date of expiration; and may maintain a loaner hearing aid inventory. The Health Technician (HIS) assists patients with hearing aid connectivity including, but not limited to downloading applications (or apps), pairing devices in the app, Bluetooth pairing and pairing hearing aid accessories.

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-6. 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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.