Summary

The audiologist primarily conducts C&P audiology evaluations for disability purposes and engages in audiology evaluations and treatment with Rehabilitation Care Service (RCS) at American Lake and Seattle Divisions - VA Puget Sound Health Care System - depending on C&P Service work-load.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education (COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS WITH CONFERRAL DATE REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION PACKAGE): 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)
• HR office staff and management officials may verify a program's accreditation from ACAE at acaeaccred.org and CAA at caa.asha.org
• 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
• COPY OF CURRENT LICENSURE REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION PACKAGE
• 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: GS-12 Audiologist - Full Performance Level 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
• Assignment: This is the full performance level for staff audiologists
• At this level - audiologists are licensed to practice independently in the provision of audiologic services - consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate
• Audiologists serve as consultants to other health care professionals and are recognized subject matter experts (SME) on matters related to hearing - tinnitus - and balance disorders
• The supervisor may assign staff audiologists to any VHA program and setting - such as inpatient or outpatient medicine - primary care - surgery - hearing health - neurology - rehabilitation medicine - geriatrics - compensation - and pension
• Audiologists diagnose audiologic disorders - conduct audiologic - or neuro-audiologic assessments
• treat auditory disorders through various modalities
• and provide adjunctive interventions for the treatment of medical disorders
• Audiologists consult with medical center staff on various patient care issues
• Staff audiologists may be involved in program evaluation - teaching - training - and research activities
• Among the modalities provided are individual - family - and group audiologic rehabilitation
• Preferred Experience: Experience in compensation and pension
• 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
• Physical Requirements: light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs) - use of fingers - both hands required - near vision correctable - hearing (aid may be permitted) - mental and emotional stability.

Duties

• The audiologist at this level plans - conducts - and coordinates all aspects of diagnostic evaluation and treatment of hearing impairment and/or balance disorders
• The incumbent at this grade level must demonstrate professional knowledge of - and skill in applying - a wide range of theories - principles - and methodologies of the practice of audiology to a wide range of populations
• Duties will include: Conducts - plans - and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with C&P evaluations and contemporary audiology practice
• Complete all documentation in accordance with facility policy
• Remain current with new developments in audiology and will maintain professional competency by reading professional journals and engaging in continuing education activities and professional learning experiences and by communicating with other professionals in the profession and related professions
• Attend regular staff meetings and inter-disciplinary health care team meeting as appropriate
• review policies and procedures - and attend in-service training
• Responsible for the proper maintenance and calibration of the specialized electro-acoustic instrumentation
• Performs initial and interim histories - examinations and complete assessments in the context of an audiology C&P evaluation and acts within the guidelines and quality indicators set forth by the Office of Disability and Medical Assessment (DMA) - C&P Service - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
• Responsible for generating C&P reports utilizing approved electronic templates (e.g
• Disability Benefits Questionnaires) for the official record of the Veterans'/Service Members' audiological disability examination
• Engage in internal quality review procedures and other C&P administrative duties as outlined by the Director - C&P Service
• Makes referrals for specialty evaluation or treatment per guidelines set forth by DMA - C&P Service and VHA - Puget Sound Health Care System
• Adheres to measures outlined in the C&P Focused Professional Practice Evaluation - Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation - and Clinical Pertinence Review
• Clinical duties and responsibilities include direct patient care involving a full range of audiology and balance evaluation and treatment services - including the selection and fitting of hearing aids and other amplification systems and devices - aural (auditory) rehabilitation - and counseling of hearing-impaired veterans and their family
• 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
• performs cerumen management
• provides initial assessment for cochlear implant referral
• Responsible for planning - delivering - and monitoring the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative services for patients with significant physical and psychological complicating conditions
• including - but not limited to - the selection and fitting of all types of hearing aids
• programming of digital hearing aids
• issuance of hearing protection devices for prevention of acoustic trauma for those individuals working in a noisy environment
• selection and fitting of assistive devices and assistive listening for special communication problems
• and inspection - modification - and repair of amplification devices and ear molds
• Plans - conducts - and coordinates auditory (aural) rehabilitation - tinnitus - and/or vestibular rehabilitation programs for patients
• designs patient-centered treatment plans to assist patient and caregivers to maximize and restore to the greatest extent possible physical and social functioning
• and designs - monitors - and conducts a comprehensive hearing conservation program for employees at risk for noise exposure
• Work Schedule: Mon-Thurs 7:00am-5:30pm OR Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm OR Tues-Fri 7:00am-5:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized