Health Technician-Hearing Instrument Specialist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Marion (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Child care subsidy

Federal health benefits

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Marion, IL is seeking a Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) to support audiology services at the facility.

The position requires professional licensure, NBC-HIS board certification, and compliance with VA qualification standards; duties include hearing aid care, troubleshooting, fittings, patient education, and support for audiology procedures. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT with selection based on need; the incumbent will work

Qualifications

• Ability to perform non-diagnostic otoscopy and cerumen management.
• Knowledge of hearing instrument science and basic hearing aid technologies.
• Ability to document patient procedures and maintain accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Assist audiologists with patient care in Audiology service.
• Troubleshoot and assist with hearing aid repairs and device settings.
• Provide patient education on hearing aid use and care.
• Maintain stock and inventory of hearing aid supplies and equipment.

Skills

Manual dexterity

Infection control

Basic computer skills

Communication skills

Education

Apprenticeship program for Hearing Aid Specialists

Two academic years in hearing-related field

Job description

Summary

The VA Heartland Network is currently recruiting for one Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) at each facility within the network: Leavenworth - KS, Topeka - KS, Marion - IL (Evansville - IN CBOC), Wichita - KS, Columbia - MO, Kansas City - MO, Poplar Bluff - MO (West Plains CBOC), Saint Louis - MO.

Qualifications

• United States 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
• (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
• (1) Loss of Licensure or Registration
• A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required licensure or registration must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment
• Board Certification
• Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS)
• Exceptions for Non-Board-Certified Health Technician (HIS)
• 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)
• Non-board-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist
• Non-board-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained
• 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
• Language Proficiency
• Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: Health Technician-HIS Grade 5: Experience: None beyond the basic requirements
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the basic requirements above - applicants must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 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
• Grade 6: Experience: One year equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-5)
• Experience may include but is 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
• The Health Technician (HIS) adheres to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning - sterilization and disposition of reusable medical equipment (RME)
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - applicants must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 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 request
• 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: The incumbent must undergo a physical evaluation during the pre-employment process
• Applicants must be able to meet the physical demands for the position - reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions
• Must have a good manual dexterity
• Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken or written word
• Must be able to view and read information on computer screens

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2026
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be July 15 - 2026 - with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks
• Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions filled
• The duties and responsibilities are to be 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
• The primary responsibility is for patient care - supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures - patient charting and patient education - which do not require a full professional audiology education or knowledge and skills represented by audiology licensure
• Support functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties
• Duties include but are not limited to: Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair
• Performing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories as well as alerting devices (troubleshoots performance) Fabricating earmold impressions with proper (non-diagnostic) otoscopy Ordering earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC and fitting and modifying earmolds Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan - including but not limited to - realistic expectations - communication strategies - and/or aural rehabilitation 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 Assisting 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 Ensuring timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions Maintaining 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 regarding date of expiration and may maintain a loaner hearing aid inventory Assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency - following the audiologist's plan of care Provides customer service supporting VA missions to include providing patients and customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Full Time - Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m - 4:30 p.m Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 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 total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66 Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Health Technician-Hearing Instrument Specialist Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• - 4:30 p.m
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 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 total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Health Technician-Hearing Instrument Specialist Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized