Supervisory Audiologist

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.

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

02Education

The educational requirements for this position included one of the following: Doctor of Audiology (AuD) from an audiology program recognized by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The CAA is the only accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit entry-level audiology programs.

HR office staff and management officials may verify the program accredited from CAA at www.caa.asha.org. OR Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the USDE. NOTE: Effective January 1, 2007, the CAA in Audiology and Speech programs in audiology.

03Licensure

This position requires Individuals to hold a full, current and unrestricted license to practice audiology at the doctoral level in a United States state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia.

Non-licensed audiologists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate audiologist at the GS-11 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that these audiologists provide care only under the supervision of fully licensed audiologists. Individuals appointed as graduate audiologists may not be promoted to the GS-12 level without being fully licensed.

The Under Secretary of Health, or designee, in VHA Central Office may waive the requirement for licensure under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 of a candidate who will be assigned to a research, academic or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. In such instances, HR office staff can only appoint these candidates in exceptional circumstances where their credentials demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.

All audiologists who perform compensation and pension examinations perform direct patient care duties and must possess a full, current and unrestricted license to practice audiology and must meet the experience requirements under Section 2. D. See 38 C.F.R. § 4.85. Failure to Obtain Licensure. In all cases, the graduate audiologists must actively pursue obtaining the required licensure from the date of their appointment.

HR office staff will provide unlicensed audiologists with written requirements to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Written notices must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to obtain the required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment. Loss of Credential.

In collaboration with HR office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation who fail to maintain the required licensure, which may also result in separation from employment. f.

HR office staff must appoint audiologists in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3, Section B, paragraph 16 of this part, who have or have ever had, their audiology licenses revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited or issued/placed in a probationary status. 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).

04Grade Determinations

GS -13 Experience: At least two years of experience as a professional audiologist, with at least one year comparable to the next lower grade level, GS-12, which includes: practicing independently in the provision of audiologic services, consulting with peers and supervisors; serving as a consultant to other health care professionals and recognized as subject matter experts (SME) on matters related to hearing; evaluating, teaching, and training; diagnosing audiologic disorders, conducting audiologic or neuro-audiologic assessments, treating auditory disorders through various modalities which may include individual, family and group audiologic rehabilitation.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs identified below. Skill in conflict resolution to facilitate positive working relationships between employees, team leaders and managers. Skill in applying evidence-based practices in a professional area. Ability to analyze organizational and operational challenges to develop and implement solutions.

Ability to develop the abilities and strengths of current employees. Ability to balance responsibilities, set priorities and delegate tasks to meet multiple deadlines. Ability to analyze data to manage workload, quality, performance and productivity within the section Preferred Experience: At least 5 years of Audiology Clinical experience. Current or Past experience leading a team and/or major clinical improvement project leading to improved patient care flow and outcomes.

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-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-13 .

05Physical Requirements

The work is primarily sedentary but requires some walking and in times of staff shortages or absences, assisting with direct patient care activities. Work is performed in an office and/or clinic setting within a medical center environment; however, travel may be required to visit CBOC facilities and attend conferences. Telework is available via an ad hoc agreement, i.e., inclement weather or other facility emergency.

The work location of the Supervisory Audiologist position will be based on geographical location, near the Pittsburgh VA Health System's Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

In carrying out the clinical duties and responsibilities of the position, the incumbent: Uses a wide range of knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies in the practice of audiology to a wide range of populations Develops coherent treatment strategies Maintains knowledge of clinical services and the ability to perform them independently Conducts assessments, provides treatment interventions Provides consultation to other health care professionals In carrying out the supervisory and administrative duties and responsibilities of the position, the incumbent: Develops, organizes, directs, manages, supervises, controls, and implements policies and procedures for the Audiology section of ASP in conjunction with another Audiology Supervisor.

Plans, assesses, and evaluates Audiology programs/functions to ensure proper coordination between care delivery within the section and the overall delivery of health care. Makes decisions that affect staff and other resources associated with the section with wide latitude of control and independent judgment.

Plans and schedules work assignments of Audiology staff; accepts, amends or rejects completed work; assures that clinical productivity and quality requirements are met; appraises performance and recommends performance standards and ratings; assigns delineated clinical privileges; approves leave; effects disciplinary measures. Sets priorities, delegates tasks, meets multiple deadlines, analyzes organizational problems, and develops and implements effective solutions.

Analyzes and uses data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, access, and productivity within the section. Skillfully executes interpersonal communications and fosters positive working relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Utilizes evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in Audiology and guides Audiology providers in applying these tools.

Analyzes organizational and operational problems and develops and implements solutions that result in efficient section operation. Skillfully executes problem solving tasks and conflict resolution. Verifies supervisees meet national and agency standards for OSHA and JCAHO. Ensures that work areas are clean and free of safety hazards. Responds per hospital policy to fire drills, codes and emergency preparedness situations.

Incumbent assures that all OWCP forms are accurately completed, in a timely manner, in accordance with the Human Resources Management Service (HMRS) guidelines. Always enforces confidentiality of patient and employee's information. Ensures immediate action is taken to correct any breach of confidentiality. Enforces disposal of sensitive data following applicable regulations. Follows applicable informed consent, HIPAA rules on privacy and protecting patient rights.

Incumbent enforces respect, equal treatment, and equal service for all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, origin, disability or reprisal. In carrying out the educational duties and responsibilities of the position the incumbent: Participates in the professional development of colleagues through mentorship and teaching. Demonstrates leadership in defining and attending to professional practice issues.

Keeps current with theory and practice through continuing education programs, journals, textbooks, and other literature.

Provides orientation/training of medical staff Orients and trains new Audiology staff Assists in the training and supervision of students, trainees, externs and fellows, providing feedback on progress toward established educational goals In carrying out the administrative duties and responsibilities of the position the incumbent: Participates in developing guidelines and protocols, new patient programs, and evaluation of existing programs Complies with Advanced Access scheduling procedures as specified in VHA Directive 1230.

Maintains patient records and other data required by the clinic, service, and medical center Maintains, supplies, equipment and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency May be requested to serve on service-level committees or task forces or to represent to service/section on medical center, network, or national committees Follows applicable informed consent, HIPAA rules on privacy and protecting patient rights Work Schedule: M-F 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: GS-065-13 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized