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.

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. Experience and Education. (1) Experience. Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists; or (2) 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.

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). 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). English Language Proficiency. Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

02Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements outlined above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist), GS-06. (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA).

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit VA Handbook 5005/149, Part II, Appendix G73, Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) Qualification Standard, dated March 18, 2022.https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

03Physical Requirements

Requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment, or assisting patients. The position requires travel between VA clinics and possession of a valid driver's license may be required.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following: 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. Assisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiological procedures.

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, consistent with audiologist's treatment plan. 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). 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) provides instruction to patients, family and staff on device topics including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology care, maintenance, use and operation. The incumbent is 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.

Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair; performing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories as well as alerting devices (troubleshoots performance), Fabricating earmold impressions with proper (non-diagnostic) otoscopy. Ordering earmolds based on plan of care by the audiologist. Complete duties as assigned by management. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm (Subject to change based on agency needs).

Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52758F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorize