Health Technician (Audiology)

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. Certification from the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) certification as a (Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist) COHC Grade Determinations: To meet the required specialized experience for this position, you must have completed one (1) year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-07, directly related to this position. This experience may include: Completing patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education. Grade Requirement Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, you must show that you meet the demonstrated KSAs for this position which include the following: (a) Biologic checks and calibration of audiometric instrumentation. (b) Ability to conduct employee hearing conservation education and training. (c) Knowledge of the hearing conservation program requirements to manage records and files. (d) Ability to perform otoscopic screening and pure-tone air conduction threshold testing for the purpose of hearing conservation. (e) Provide Basic counseling of employees concerning test results and criteria for employee referral to hearing conservation program. (f) Otoscopy and pure tone air conduction testing without interpretation for established patients in regular VA clinic. (g) Ability to provide employee hearing conservation education, training and audiologic technical support. (h) Ability to identify a threshold shift and make appropriate referrals for further testing when indicated. (i) Training of employees on personal hearing protection devices. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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-08. Physical Requirements: Light Lifting (under 15lbs); Light Carrying (under 15lbs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking (up to 2 hours); Standing (up to 2 hours); Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted).
This position is located in the Audiology Service at VA Medical Center in Wilmington, DE. The duties and responsibilities are carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The health technician supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology.