Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. This position is under the Audiology & Speech Pathology Services located at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System - in San Juan Puerto Rico - but may be required to cover Ponce and Mayaguez Audiology clinic when coverage is needed.

Qualifications

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
• 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
• 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
• 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)
• English/Spanish Language Proficiency
• Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English and Spanish
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for appointments at grade levels specified
• Audiologist - GS-11 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
• 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
• 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 GS-12
• Physical Requirements: The work involves sitting in front of the computer - manual dexterity - visual acuity - color vision and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time
• Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds)
• light carrying (under 15 pounds)
• use of fingers and both hands required
• intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling
• ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens
• ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise - working closely with others - high cognitive function required to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy - emotional stability required to maintain a self-control in difficult and stressful situations
• Incumbent will be required to wear professional clothing and take safety precautions.

Duties

• The Incumbent is a staff audiologist that conducts a full range of audio logical evaluations to determine the type and degree of hearing loss - determine patient's need for amplification - including fitting and selection of hearing aids and assistive devices - auditory rehabilitation - predicts and measure the effectiveness of amplification - and determines the need for and type of rehabilitation and counseling of Veterans with hearing loss and their families
• Duties may include but are not limited to: The audiologist at this level conducts - plans - and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary audiology practice
• 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
• The incumbent may also be assigned for conducting complete audiological evaluations for Compensation & Pension Program (C & P)
• The incumbent 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
• The incumbent is 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 devices such as personal and FM amplifiers - telephone amplifiers - radio or TV magnetic induction devices for special communication problems
• and inspection - modification - and repair of amplification devices and ear molds
• Incumbent plans - conducts - and coordinates auditory (aural) rehabilitation - tinnitus - and or 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
• Incumbent serves as a consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases and is a recognized subject matter expert on matters related to hearing - tinnitus - and balance disorders
• The incumbent will be responsible for supervising - evaluating - mentoring - and presenting student trainees in audiology and maintained a liaison with affiliated colleges and universities
• He/she may also provide instruction to residents and interns who seek information relation to audiology
• Incumbent will complete all documentation in accordance with facility policy
• The incumbent will 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 experience and by communicating with other professionals in the profession and related professions
• Communication is required by this position and the incumbent will be expected to attend regular staff meetings and inter disciplinary health care team meeting as appropriate
• review policies and procedures - and attend in service training
• The incumbent will be responsible for the proper maintenance and calibration of the specialized electro acoustic instrumentation
• The incumbent must have a considerable knowledge of the technical aspects of both the clinical instruments as well as the calibration instruments
• The incumbent may participate in research activities pertinent to clinical audiology
• Although limited research is conducted in the clinical setting - the use of carefully executed audio logic procedures may be a part of a research design
• The incumbent may be requested to assist in gathering clinical research data
• The incumbent may perform ancillary assignments - including program management duties on an occasional basis - where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial
• Work Schedule: Part-Time - 20 Hours Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 60619F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized