Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; Salisbury (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension with 5-year vesting

401(k) VA contribution

Federal health, vision, dental, life

Job summary

The W.G. 'Bill' Hefner VAMC in Salisbury, NC seeks a Health Technician to support audiology services within the Audiology & Speech Service. You will assist with hearing aid troubleshooting, equipment calibration, telehealth setup, and patient care in clinical and patient areas.

Responsibilities include documenting actions, managing supplies, and helping with earmolds and accessories. Strong English skills and adherence to federal guidelines are required.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Urinalysis drug screening prior to appointment.
• Selective Service registration for males born after 1959.
• Proficient written and spoken English.
• Background/security investigation.
• Influenza vaccination program participation.
• Online onboarding and acceptable identification documents.
• 1- to 2-year trial period.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair hearing aids.
• Perform checks of hearing aids and assistive devices.
• Order earmolds and fit/modify as needed.
• Provide basic hearing-aid information per plan.
• Assist in telehealth visits and calibrate equipment.
• Assist patients with connectivity and pairing.
• Document care and prepare records for signature.
• Maintain inventory and loaner hearing-aid items.
• Process and prepare devices for delivery.

Skills

Proficient written and spoken English

Hearing aid equipment handling

Tools

Hearing aid equipment

Telehealth setup

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the Audiology & Speech Service at the W.G. "Bill" Hefner VAMC in Salisbury, NC. The duties and responsibilities are carried out in all clinical and patient‑care areas involved with audiology. The health technician supports the clinical audiology programs. The announcement is open continuously until September 30, 2026.

Major Duties

• Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair.
• Perform visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing‑assistive technology, including all accessories and alerting devices.
• Fabricate earmold impressions with proper (non‑diagnostic) otoscopy.
• Order earmolds according to the plan of care through prosthetics or the Denver Logistics Center, and fit and modify earmolds as necessary.
• Provide basic hearing‑aid information for patients and caregivers consistent with the audiologist’s treatment plan, including realistic expectations, communication strategies, and aural rehabilitation.
• Assist in setting up and delivering face‑to‑face and telehealth visits by preparing equipment for evaluation and other audiology procedures, including daily biologic‑listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real‑ear equipment.
• Assist patients with hearing‑aid connectivity, including downloading applications, pairing devices in apps, Bluetooth pairing, and pairing hearing‑aid accessories.
• Complete documentation per medical center policy for timeliness, code procedures appropriately, and prepare records for audiologist co‑signature.
• Maintain comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems, monitor stock of RME and consumable items, and ensure proper inventory levels.
• Prioritize acquisition of supplies and equipment based on expiration dates and maintain a loaner hearing‑aid inventory as needed.
• Process incoming devices from patients with concerns related to hearing aids or assistive technology.
• Prepare and charge hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery when required.
• Receive devices and restore settings after repair or replacement from manufacturers or the Denver Logistics Center.
• Maintain proper levels of mailing and shipping supplies.
• Receive and complete incoming communications from Veterans, and facilitate follow‑up according to the audiologist’s treatment plan, including ordering supplies through the Denver Logistics Center.

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Education

Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for federal employment. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• All selected applicants must undergo a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment; refusal disqualifies the applicant.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Proficient written and spoken English is required.
• Applicants will be subject to a background/security investigation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required.
• All applicants must complete an online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification documents.
• An 1‑ or 2‑year trial period will be required; employment may be terminated after the trial if continued employment does not advance the public interest.

Benefits

Competitive salary with regular increases; paid time off ranging from 37 to 50 days per year (13–26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays); parental leave of up to 12 weeks after 12 months of employment; childcare subsidy of up to 25% of eligible costs for families earning below $144,000, up to $416.66 per month; traditional federal pension with five‑year vesting; 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution; federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care insurance. Telework is not eligible and the position is not virtual.