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. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). b. 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. c. 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. Loss of Licensure or Registration. A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required licensure or registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. d. 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). 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). Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist.

Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained. Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, Health Technician (HIS) must actively pursue meeting requirements for board certification starting from the date of their appointment.

At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the Health Technician (HIS) with the written requirements for board certification, including the time (i.e., two years) by which the board certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming board certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain board certification during the two-year period may result in termination of employment. Loss of Certification.

A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. e. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. f. English Language Proficiency. Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). GRADE DETERMINATION: Health Technician (HIS), GS-05. Experience.

None beyond the basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck. Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines. Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email, creating spreadsheets and word processing. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories. Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve in a Health Technician (HIS) entry level developmental position and work under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist.

Assignments associated with this level include, but are not limited to: performing non-diagnostic otoscopy including proper bracing techniques and making appropriate referrals for abnormalities and cerumen management; rechecking air-conduction pure tone threshold testing to assist the audiologist in modifying the treatment plan during hearing aid repair appointments; providing patient care in hearing aid repair appointments, consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan; completing visual and auditory checks with listening stethoscope of hearing aids prior to and following repair of device (troubleshoots performance); processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology; preparing and charging (if required) hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery; receiving devices and restoring settings of hearing aid/hearing assistive technology after repair or replacement from manufacturer, such as Denver Logistics Center (DLC); and maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies.

The Health Technician (HIS) adheres to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning, sterilization and disposition of reusable medical equipment (RME). The Health Technician (HIS) completes documentation per medical center policy for timeliness for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist. Health Technician (HIS), GS-06. Experience.

One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy. Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software. Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices.

Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use, to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection). Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations. 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.

Ability to prepare patient, equipment, and/or environment for audiology procedures. Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests. Assignment. Employees at this level are at the full performance level and work under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist.

Assignments associated with this level include, but are not limited to: completing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories, as well as, alerting devices (troubleshoots performance); registering, certifying and tracking prosthetic devices (hearing aids, hearing aid accessories and assistive devices); and assisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures, including, but not limited to daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is G-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-6.

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. Eligible applicants will be referred until all vacancies are filled. This position routinely floats between all sites of care, including but not limited to: Zephyrhills, Lakeland, Riverview, Tampa, Brooksville and New Port Richey clinics as needed. Incumbent is a staff health technician (HIS) under the supervision of a GS-12 staff audiologist or above.

This position has a high degree of visibility throughout the medical center and the general public as a result of direct patient care contact with the veteran population. Professionalism, proficiency, and a high positive image on behalf of the Veteran's Health Administration are critical and required. Some of the major duties include the cleaning, repair, troubleshooting, processing, and physical modification of hearing aids and other assisted listening/speech devices.

The incumbent will assist to organize work to achieve approved goals and will be responsible for working within and organizing the flow of patients in the Audiology Clinic by performing the following: Greeting and escorting patients; Patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting; Conducting hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation; Non-diagnostic otoscopy; Taking earmold impressions; Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair; Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers, including realistic expectations, communication strategies, and/or aural rehabilitation; assisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits; preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures including, but not limited to daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment; Performing listening checks on hearing aids; Electroacoustic analysis of devices; Pairing hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology; Programming previously stored settings into hearing aids; Activating remote controls.

The Health Technician (HIS) assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency, following the audiologist's plan of care.

Administrative duties may include, but not limited to: Managing office supplies; Tracking loaner stock hearing aid inventory; Electronic ordering, verifying orders; Scheduling appointments; Packaging and mailing hearing aids and accessories; Processing ROES transactions; Responding to routine patient inquiries, and responding to administrative questions; Assisting patients, visitors, and others requesting information; Management of infection control, patient safety, and clinical audiology supplies; Maintenance of clean, disinfected instrumentation, equipment, and work surfaces; Reprocessing reusable medical equipment according to Medical Center infection control procedures and reusable medical equipment policies; responsible for functional checks for audiometric test equipment daily.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. Travel Required: 25% or less Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 70963F and 70964F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized