Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Federal benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in New Orleans, LA seeks a Hearing Instrument Specialist to support Audiology in this state-of-the-art VA facility. The role includes troubleshooting hearing aids, conducting checks, fabricating earmolds, and educating patients under audiologist supervision.

Responsibilities extend to setup of visits (in-person and telehealth), device connectivity support, and meticulous documentation per policy. Monday–Friday schedule with comprehensive VA benefits may apply.

Qualifications

• Must meet basic requirements for HIS role as described by VA.
• Education may be substituted only per VA standards.
• Active license/registration as HIS in appropriate jurisdiction preferred.

Responsibilities

• Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair within clinical settings.
• Perform visual/auditory checks on hearing aids and accessories.
• Fabricate earmold impressions and manage earmolds via plan of care.
• Provide basic hearing aid information and patient education.
• Assist in setup and delivery of in-person and telehealth visits.
• Assist patients with connectivity and pairing of devices/apps.
• Document encounters accurately in medical records and ROES.
• Maintain inventory and supply levels; manage stock and equipment.

Skills

Anatomy knowledge

Infection control

Basic computer skills

Oral and written communication

Follow instructions

Inventory management

Hearing aid equipment familiarity

Patient education skills

Documentation of care

Education

Two academic years beyond high school (hearing field)

DOL Apprenticeship for Hearing Aid Specialists

Board certification eligibility experience

Job description

Summary

This position is located in Surgery Service within the Audiology Program at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in New Orleans - Louisiana. The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology Program. The Hearing Instrument Specialist supports the function of the clinical programs within Audiology.

Summary

This position is located in Surgery Service within the Audiology Program at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in New Orleans - Louisiana. The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology Program. The Hearing Instrument Specialist supports the function of the clinical programs within Audiology.

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
• 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
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined in 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
• 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
• Preferred Experience: None
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 05 to 06
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

• 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
• Direct patient care duties may include - but not limited to the following: 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 - if necessary
• 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
• The HIS is responsible for 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 via ROES
• The HIS completes documentation per medical center policy for timeliness for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist
• Administrative duties may include - but are not limited to the following: 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
• The HIS assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency - following the audiologist's plan of care
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday
• 7:30am-4:00pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.) Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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 #: 01540F/01541F