Audiologist

***KSA Recommendation - All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in your application may result in disqualification.

It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA (found below) to demonstrate how you have gained each one in your application package or on a supplemental document***All requirements must be met at the time of the announcement closing.

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. Education Doctor of Audiology (AUD) from an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) or Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

OR, Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. NOTE: Effective January 1, 2007, the CAA in Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree or AUD programs in audiology.

Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.

02Licensure

Individuals must 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. Exception for Non-Licensed Audiologist: Non-Licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate audiologist, not to exceed 2 years, under the authority of 38 USC 7405(c)(2).

English Language Proficiency: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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). Grandfathering Provision.

Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and licensure, where applicable.

For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment specific requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. (4) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional licensure that meets all the basic or assignment specific qualification requirements of this standard must maintain the required credential as a condition of employment in the occupation. (5) NOTE: This grandfathering provision is not intended to regularize appointments/placements.

03Grade Determinations

GS-11 Audiologist Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders. (b) Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA.(c) Ability to interact with patients, families, and other health care professionals.

GS-12 Audiologist Experience: In addition to the requirements at the GS-11 level, completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower grade level, GS-11.

AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required:(a) Skill in determining nature, type, and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders. (b) Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders. (c) Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals. (d) Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations.

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-11 to GS-12.

04Physical Requirements

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

This is an OPEN CONTINOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. We are accepting applications on an ongoing basis; applicants will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis, as long the vacancy exists. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The audiologist at this level plans, conducts, and coordinates all aspects of diagnostic evaluation and treatment of hearing impairment while consulting with a more senior audiologist when necessary.

The audiologist at GS-11 grade level must demonstrate professional knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies of the practice of audiology to a wide range of populations with occasional support. The audiologist at the GS-12 grade level must demonstrate professional knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies of the practice of audiology to a wide range of populations.

FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: Duties include but are not limited to: The audiologist at this level conducts, plans, and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary audiology practice. Services may be provided face-to-face or via telehealth. The incumbent may consult with a more senior audiologist as needed.

Clinical duties and responsibilities include direct patient care involving a full range of audiology evaluation and treatment services, including the selection and fitting of hearing aids and other amplification systems and devices, aural (auditory) rehabilitation, and counseling of hearing-impaired veterans and their families.

The incumbent identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech, language and other acoustic signals to a full range of patient complexity. The incumbent administers the full range of tests, evaluates the type and degree of hearing loss for patients who may be unable to provide consistent and reliable reaction to diagnostics, and administers a range of tests used to evaluate balance disorders.

The incumbent is responsible for planning, delivering, and monitoring the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative services for veterans with significant physical and psychological complicating conditions, including, but not limited to: the selection and fitting of all types of hearing aids, programming of digital hearing aids, issuance of hearing protection devices for prevention of acoustic trauma, selection and fitting of assistive devices and assistive listening devices such as personal and FM amplifiers, telephone amplifiers, radio or TV magnetic induction devices; and, inspection, modification and repair of amplification devices and ear molds.

The incumbent plans, conducts and coordinates aural rehabilitation and tinnitus rehabilitation programs for patients, designs patient-centered treatment plans to assist veterans and caregivers to maximize and restore to the greatest extent possible their physical and social functioning; and, designs, monitors and conducts a comprehensive hearing conservation program for employees at risk for noise exposure.

The incumbent will remain current with new developments in audiology and will maintain professional competency by reading professional journals and engaging in continuing education activities and professional learning experiences and by communicating with other professionals in the profession and related professions. The incumbent will be responsible for the proper maintenance and calibration of the specialized electroacoustic instrumentation.

The incumbent must have a considerable knowledge of the technical aspects of both the clinical instruments as well as the calibration of instruments. The setup and/or pre-cleaning of all reusable medical equipment associated with the scope of this position will be carried out and accomplished in accordance with set manufacturer specifications and facility policies.

The incumbent may serve as a consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases and may be a recognized subject matter expert on matters related to hearing disorders and tinnitus. Communication is required by this position and the incumbent will be expected to attend regular staff meetings and inter-disciplinary health care team meetings as appropriate; review policies and procedures and attend in-service training.

The incumbent may be responsible for supervising, mentoring, and precepting student trainees in audiology and maintaining liaisons with affiliated colleges and universities. They may also provide instruction to residents and interns who seek information in relation to audiology practice. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized