Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) at the Huntsville Outpatient Clinic in Huntsville, AL.

This position supports Audiology services and travel to CBOCs as needed, with licensure and NBC-HIS certification required. GS-05/06 level with duties including patient education, device documentation, inventory management, and triage of audiology requests under supervision of an audiologist.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: US citizen required; non-citizens only per VA policy.
• English language proficiency: must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Experience/education: apprenticeship in Hearing Aid Specialist or two years of related coursework.
• License/registration: active, full license to practice as HIS.
• Board certification: NBC-HIS active certification.

Responsibilities

• Document patient procedures and devices clearly in records.
• Provide patient education on hearing aid use and care.
• Triage audiology requests and assist with patient flow.
• Maintain stock and supply inventories for audiology.
• Support audiologists in procedures and equipment preparation.

Skills

Anatomy knowledge

Infection control

Basic computer skills

Oral & written communication

Instruction following

Inventory management

Customer service

Education

Two years of college with related coursework

Apprenticeship program in hearing aid field

Tools

Hearing aid software

Job description

This Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) position is in the Audiology Service located at the Huntsville Outpatient Clinic in Huntsville, AL. The health technicians support the function of the clinical programs in Audiology including other outlying Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Travel is required. Current and valid Driver's License is also required.

Basic Requirements

A) Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.) Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

B) English Language Proficiency: Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

C) 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.

D) License 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.

E) Board Certification: Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS).

Grade Determinations

Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist), GS-05.

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA)

• 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 (Hearing Instrument Specialist), GS-06:

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA)

• 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, to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection).
• Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations.
• 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.
• Ability to prepare patient, equipment, and/or environment for audiology procedures.
• 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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 or GS-6.

Physical Requirements:

Work is performed in a health care setting. The work is primarily sedentary but also requires some standing, walking, bending, lifting, carrying of light items, may require lifting of heavy equipment and assisting patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity.