Summary

The Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist - HIS) position is located in the Audiology Service at the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care system (GCVHCS) at the Pensacola - FL Outpatient Clinic and serves as a member of the audiology service and hearing health care team.

Qualifications

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
• English Language Proficiency
• Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Experience: Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists
• Copy of document verifying program completion required
• OR Education: Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes course work related to the field such as hearing science - human anatomy and physiology - hearing instrument science - gerontology - psychology or other general healthcare areas
• 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
• Transcripts Required
• 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
• Copy of licensure or registration required
• Board Certification: Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS)
• Copy of board certification required
• Exception for Non-Board-Certified Health Technician (HIS) 1
• 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)
• 2
• Non-board-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist
• 3
• Non-board-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level of a GS-5 and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained
• 4
• Temporary appointments of non-board-certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two (2) years or converted to a new temporary appointment
• 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 Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above the following is the criteria that must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-5 Entry Level: Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above.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
• GS-06 - Full Performance Level: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-05).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: Clinical Experience: Experience in conducting hearing tests and assessments
• Hands-on experience fitting - adjusting - and repairing hearing aids
• Proficiency in taking ear impressions and modifying earmolds
• Technical Skills: Knowledge of audiometric equipment and software used for hearing evaluations
• Familiarity with different types and brands of hearing aids and assistive listening devices
• Competence in troubleshooting and maintaining hearing aid devices
• Patient Care Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for patient interaction
• Ability to explain complex hearing device technology in understandable terms
• Experience in counseling patients on hearing loss and hearing aid use
• Administrative Skills: Experience in maintaining patient records and handling documentation related to hearing assessments and hearing aid fittings
• Knowledge of insurance and third-party billing procedures specific to audiology services
• Continuing Education: Commitment to staying updated with the latest advancements and technologies in hearing instruments
• Participation in ongoing professional development or continuing education courses
• Other General Skills: Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 6
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-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.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2026
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 2 weeks after the Announcement Open Date
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals as-needed until the position is filled
• Major duties include - but are not limited to: 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 through prosthetics or DLC and fitting and modifying earmolds - if necessary
• Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan - including but not limited to - realistic expectations - communication strategies - and/or aural rehabilitation
• 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
• Assisting patients with hearing aid connectivity including - but not limited to downloading applications (or apps) - pairing devices in the app - Bluetooth pairing - and pairing hearing aid accessories
• 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
• 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
• Work Schedule: Monday -Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Recruitment Incentive (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 #: 00709F - 00708F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized