Health Technician (Audiology)

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.
Experience and Education.
Experience. Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled.
OR
Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the position. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
OR
Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. An example of a combination of experience/education is three months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours related to the health care industry. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
Grandfathering Provision. 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).
Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. (CERTIFICATE OF FOREIGN EQUIVALENCY and TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
English Language Proficiency. HTA, HTSLP or HTASLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).

Grade Determinations:
HTA, GS-04
Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
Assignment. This is an entry level developmental position. The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist. The assignment of this position includes but is not limited to assisting the audiologist with patient assessment and treatment. The health technician must adhere 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 maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking system to include monitoring stock of RME and consumable items; ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks; prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment with regard to date of expiration; maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies; preparing mailing and shipping requests for items including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology repairs, ear mold orders and return for credit items; and maintaining loaner hearing aid inventory.

HTA, GS-05
Experience. One year of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled.
OR
Education. Successful completion of four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in courses related to the position or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to the functions of the occupation. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck.
(b) Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing.
(c) Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies.
(d) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines.
(e) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories.
(f) Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing.

HTA, GS-06
Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled.
Demonstrated 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 physiology and function to educate patients and families.
(c) Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software.
(d) Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aid, hearing assistive technology and patient care, consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist.
(e) Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures.
(f) Ability to document and code patient procedures.


Preferred Experience:
-Experience with hearing aid repairs and trouble-shooting hearing aid problems.
-Familiarity with audiological practices to include but not limited to non-diagnostic otoscopy.
-Ability to perform visual and listening checks of hear aids and assistive listening devices.
-Able to perform ear impressions and ear mold modifications.
-Able to accurately and effectively document all patient interactions in electronic medical records system.

References: VA Handbook 5005/143 PART II APPENDIX G70. HEALTH TECHNICIAN (AUDIOLOGY), HEALTH TECHNICIAN (SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY) AND HEALTH TECHNCIAN (AUDIOLOGY & SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY) QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0640 Veterans Health Administration May 13, 2021

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-06.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (8 hours); Standing (8 hours); Repeated bending (5 hours); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Mental/ emotional stability