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. 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). Experience and Education. (1) 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 (2) 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. OR (3) 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. Grade Determinations: For the GS-7. In addition to the basic requirements, you must meet the following grade requirements. (1) Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) directly related to the position being filled. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: work independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist, completing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology; repairing or returning hearing aids to the factory; restoring hearing aid or hearing assistive technology settings after repair or replacement; and ordering, registering, certifying, issuing and tracking prosthetic devices. Assists in setting up and delivering face to face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment, patient evaluation and other audiology procedures. Provides clinical procedures consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care which may include non-diagnostic otoscopy, cerumen management, foreign body removal and ear mold impressions and without interpretation, immittance screening and hearing screening. Educate patients, family and staff on topics including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology care, maintenance, use and operation, hearing conservation and realistic expectations for hearing aid use. Complete documentation for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(a) Ability to mentor and train new HTAs. (b) Ability to prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist, such as evoked potentials. (c) Ability to develop and implement the technician role for a program in a focused area of audiology. References: VA Handbook 5005/143, Part II Appendix G70, Health Technician (Audiology), Health Technician (Speech-Language Pathology) and Health Technician (Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology), Qualification Standard dated May 13, 2021. Physical Requirements: Light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers and both hands required; 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; Mental and Emotional Stability; works outside and inside; works closely with others.
This position is located in the Audiology Service at the International Plaza VA Clinic, with up to half of the assigned duties taking place at the Nashville VAMC or other outpatient clinics. 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.