Summary

This position will be under the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMRS) Service at the HCC1 location. The Audiologist conducts a full range of audiological evaluations to determine the type and degree of hearing loss - determines patients' need for amplification - predicts - and measures the effectiveness of amplification - and determines need for and type of rehabilitation and counseling of veterans with hearing loss and their families.

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
• Education: Doctor of Audiology (AUD) from an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) or Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• OR Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• NOTE: Effective January 1 - 2007 - the CAA in Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree or AUD programs in audiology
• Licensure: Individuals must hold a full - current - and unrestricted license to practice audiology at the doctoral level in a United States state - territory - commonwealth - or the District of Columbia
• The Under Secretary of Health - or designee - may appoint a candidate without a license who will be assigned to a research - academic - or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities
• In such instances - HR office staff can only appoint these candidates in exceptional circumstances where their credentials demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area
• All audiologists who perform compensation and pension examinations perform direct patient care duties and must possess a full - current - and unrestricted license to practice audiology and must meet the experience requirements under Section 2
• D
• See 38 C.F.R
• § 4.85
• Exception for Non-Licensed Audiologist: Non-Licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure - may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate audiologist at the GS-11 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)
• Non-Licensed individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a fully licensed audiologists at or above the full performance level
• Non-Licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-12 grade level until licensure is obtained
• Temporary appointments of non-Licensed audiologists may not be extended beyond two years or be converted to a new temporary appointment
• Failure to Obtain Licensure: In all cases - the graduate audiologists must actively pursue obtaining the required licensure from the date of their appointment
• HR office staff will provide unlicensed audiologists with written requirements to obtain licensure - the date by which the license must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline
• Written notices must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date
• Failure to obtain the required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment
• Loss of Credential: Management officials - in collaboration with HR Office staff must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain the required licensure of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation which may also result in separation from employment
• HR Office staff must appoint audiologists according to the provisions in VA Handbook - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section B - paragraph 16 - who have - or have ever had - their licensure revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited or issued/placed in a probationary status
• Foreign Education: To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• Such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service
• English Language Proficiency: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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: Audiologist - GS-11 Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the basic requirements - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders
• Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA
• Ability to interact with patients - families - and other health care professionals
• Audiologist - GS-12 Experience
• In addition to the requirements at the GS-11 level - completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower grade level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level - the following KSAs are required: Skill in determining nature - type - and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders
• Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders
• Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals
• Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations
• 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-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Required periods of sitting - bending - reaching - crouching - stooping - stretching - and lifting (under 15 pounds)
• light carrying (under 15 pounds)
• use of fingers and both hands required
• good vision with corrective glasses or contacts
• or hearing with aid
• Applicants must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others
• Applicants for this position must pass a pre-employment medical examination.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Conducts - plans - and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary audiology practice
• Identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech - language and other acoustic signals to a full range of patient complexity
• Administers the full range of tests including the testing of vestibular nerve function - evaluates the type and degree of hearing loss for patients who may be unable to provide consistent and reliable reaction to diagnostics
• Serves as a consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases and is recognized as a subject matter expert on matters relating to hearing - tinnitus - and balance disorders
• Offer telehealth services by utilizing innovative telecommunication technologies to enhance care coordination - access to care - and to routinely and proactively manage diseases to prevent healthcare crises
• Training to use Remote Programming software - MOVI and other video software
• Training on hearing aids - programming software - ROES data system
• Audiologist organizes workload to allow adequate time for scheduling patient visits taking into consideration priority and frequency of care - coordinating with staff - handling unscheduled patient visits - and family conferences
• Required attendance at related meetings and other conferences
• workload reflects consistent data capture
• coordinates services and other activities with other ongoing professional programs
• Responsible for encounter completion and closure for outstanding open encounters for patient visits
• Responsible for requesting clinic closures or modifications through the service Administrative Office or Advanced Medical Support Assistant (AMSA) and confirming requests have been correctly completed by reviewing clinic status via VistA Scheduling
• Assists in orientation and training of new staff
• Assists in the training and supervision of students - trainees - and fellows - providing feedback on progress toward established educational goals
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized