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.

02Education

(1) 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). HR office staff and management officials may verify a program's accreditation from ACAE at acaeaccred.org and CAA at caa.asha.org.

OR (2) 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.

03Licensure

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. 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). Grade Determination: Supervisory Audiologist, 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.

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: (a) Skill in conflict resolution to facilitate positive working relationships between employees, team leaders, and managers. (b) Skill in applying evidence-based practices in a professional area. (c) Ability to analyze organizational and operational challenges to develop and implement solutions. (d) Ability to develop the abilities and strengths of current employees. (e) Ability to balance responsibilities, set priorities, and delegate tasks to meet multiple deadlines. (f) Ability to analyze data to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the section.

04Preferred Experience

Familiarity with conducting telehealth appointments. 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-13.

05Physical Requirements

The duties of the position require periods of sitting, standing, and walking. Clinical activities may require regular sitting, bending, standing, and movement within patient-care environments. Patient transport may occasionally require pushing wheelchairs. Work in front of a computer for several hours per day is required.

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as a clinical Audiology service provider as workload and operational needs require. Uses knowledge of contemporary audiology practice and maintains professional competency in the field of Audiology. Exercises independent clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age-specific and unique patient conditions, needs, and expectations.

Consults with physicians and other healthcare practitioners regarding diagnostic evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and management of Veterans with hearing and/or balance disorders. Evaluates patients to determine the nature, type, and severity of hearing and balance disorders utilizing appropriate diagnostic tests and techniques, medical and social history, record review, and consultation with family members and other healthcare practitioners as appropriate.

Demonstrates the ability to professionally manage complex patients, including patients who present with inconsistent behaviors, conflicting test results, multiple disabilities, or other conditions that may affect standard audiologic testing procedures. Plans, coordinates, and implements patient-focused treatment services designed to optimize communication and functional outcomes.

• Provides and/or coordinates orientation and training for Audiology employees, medical staff, trainees, and other personnel as appropriate.
• Provides Audiology in-services and educational activities as needed.
• Oversees the orientation and training of newly appointed Audiology personnel within the assigned areas of responsibility.
• Ensures staff maintain appropriate competencies necessary to perform assigned Audiology duties.

Coordinates or supports continuing education activities related to hearing aids, hearing aid accessories, clinical procedures, technology, and Audiology practice. Supports the training and supervision of students, trainees, residents, and fellows, as applicable, and ensures appropriate feedback regarding progress toward established educational goals.

Provides direct technical and administrative supervision and leadership to assigned Audiology personnel and ensures employees effectively carry out assigned responsibilities. Plans, schedules, assigns, distributes, coordinates, and monitors work among employees in accordance with established workflow, employee competencies, patient care requirements, clinic needs, and organizational priorities.

Balances responsibilities, establishes priorities, delegates tasks, and adjusts staffing and workload distribution as necessary to meet multiple deadlines, patient care demands, and operational requirements across assigned locations. Monitors Audiology clinic operations across the BCVAMC and all associated VA Clinics and works to ensure consistent, efficient, and high-quality service delivery.

Analyzes patient access, workload, clinic utilization, quality, performance, productivity, and other applicable data to manage section operations and develops corrective actions when established goals or standards are not met. Evaluates the effectiveness and quality of Audiology programs and services and communicates significant findings, concerns, trends, and recommendations to appropriate leadership.

Analyzes organizational and operational challenges affecting patient care and develops and implements solutions to improve access, efficiency, quality, and Veteran experience. Addresses employee performance or conduct concerns and effects or recommends appropriate supervisory or minor disciplinary action within delegated authority, in consultation with higher-level leadership, Human Resources, Employee/Labor Relations, or other appropriate offices when necessary.

Provides broad program management oversight of Audiology operations and administrative and programmatic resources across the BCVAMC and all associated VA Clinics, deploying available resources to support program and Veteran care needs. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0800-1630 Telework: Not available. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Approved for highly qualified applicants. Functional Statement #: 94181-0