Summary

Audiologist This position is located in the Audiology Service at the VA Black Hills Health Care System in Rapid City - SD. 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 aural 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
• 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
• 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
• 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)
• English Language Proficiency: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: GS-11 Audiologist Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the basic requirements - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders
• (b) Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA
• (c) Ability to interact with patients - families - and other health care professionals
• GS-12 Audiologist 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 - GS-11
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level - the following KSAs are required: (a) Skill in determining nature - type - and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders
• (b) Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders
• (c) Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals
• (d) Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations
• Preferred Experience: Previous experience within the VA is preferred
• Experience in completing audiologic evaluations - hearing aid evaluations - hearing aid fittings - and hearing aid follow-ups
• Knowledge in making referrals for advanced hearing technologies - such as cochlear implants and osseointegrated devices
• Experience in working with audiology technicians
• Experience in counseling patients - family members - or support personnel on hearing loss
• 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
• Incumbent will be required to complete a driving physical.

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Assess the nature - type - and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders: Identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech - language - and other acoustic signals
• Administers the full range of tests
• evaluates the type and degree of hearing loss
• administers compensation and pension evaluations and provides an expert opinion regarding etiology of auditory dysfunctions as needed
• Recommends remedial measures to mitigate hearing loss: Responsible for direct services of a remedial and preventative nature
• The services encompass the following: selection - evaluation and fitting of hearing aids - assistive listening devices - and accessories
• issuance of hearing protection
• Incumbent plans - conducts - and coordinates auditory (aural) rehabilitation - and/or tinnitus 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
• Counsels patients and family members regarding management of hearing - communication - and vestibular disorders: Counsels patients family and other health care providers on hearing loss - hearing loss management and provides patient educational resources
• Incumbent serves as a consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases
• Provides professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals: Serves as consultant 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
• Independently applies professional contemporary audiology treatments to the full range of patient populations: Applies clinical skills in such areas as hearing conservation - electrophysiological assessment and interpretation - central auditory function assessment and treatment - counseling for coping with tinnitus - and analysis and fitting of advanced amplification technology
• Applies knowledge - theories - and techniques to a full range of complex adult patients
• Applies knowledge of embryology
• genetics
• pharmacology
• basic physiology/disease processes
• the effects of high intensity noise on the auditory mechanism
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Monday-Friday - 7:30am to 4:00pm
• Compressed tour may be offered
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized