Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

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.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional 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 (Full Performance Level) Conduct non-diagnostic otoscopy; identify abnormalities; perform cerumen management consistent with audiologist plan of care. Perform pass/fail hearing screenings without interpretation; conduct immittance screening without interpretation. Take ear mold impressions and fit/modify ear molds as needed. Troubleshoot and repair hearing aids; perform listening checks and electroacoustic analyses of devices.

Program previously stored settings into hearing aids; activate remote controls; pair hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth® technology. Provide patient/caregiver instruction and counseling on hearing loss, hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, communication strategies, and realistic expectations. Administrative / Technical Support Complete visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and assistive technology, including accessories and alerting devices.

Register, certify, issue, and track prosthetic devices (hearing aids, accessories, assistive devices); manage loaner hearing aid inventory when applicable. Prepare equipment for patient evaluation and Audiology procedures, including daily biologic listening checks of audiometric equipment and calibration checks of real-ear systems. Restore device settings following repair or replacement; coordinate factory returns when indicated.

Assist with setup and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits; support app downloads and Bluetooth® pairing in clinic. Maintain comprehensive supply/equipment tracking systems, manage RME and consumable stock, and ensure inventory levels support daily operations. Communication and Documentation Receive and route incoming Veteran communications (phone/electronic) to the audiology team and facilitate follow-up per treatment plan.

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. Complete documentation for each episode of care per medical center timeliness standards and code procedures as appropriate for audiologist co-signature. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0730-1630, (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. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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 #: 01082-F, 01083-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized