U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Visalia, California, us, 93290
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Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)
role at
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range This range is provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range $40,535.00/yr - $58,739.00/yr
Summary This position is the Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) in the Audiology Service at the Visalia Outpatient Clinic in Visalia - CA. The primary responsibility is for patient care - supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures - patient charting and patient education - which do not require a full professional audiology education or knowledge and skills represented by audiology license. ** A recruitment or relocation incentive may be given to a highly qualified applicant**
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
Experience and Education
Experience
Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists
OR Education
Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes coursework related to the field: hearing science - human anatomy and physiology - hearing instrument science - gerontology - psychology or other general healthcare areas
NOTE: There is no combination of education and experience which can be substituted for the basic requirements
Licensure or Registration
Individuals must hold a full - current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a HIS in a state - territory - commonwealth or the District of Columbia
Loss of Licensure or Registration
A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required licensure or registration must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment
Board Certification
Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS)
Exception for Non-Board Certified Health Technician (HIS)
Non-board certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for appointment - may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Health Technician (HIS) under the authority of 38 U.S.C.
7405(c)(2)(B)
Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist
Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained
Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician(HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment
Failure to Obtain Certification
In all cases - Health Technician (HIS) must actively pursue meeting requirements for board certification starting from the date of their appointment
At the time of appointment - the supervisor will provide the Health Technician (HIS) with the written requirements for board certification - including the time (i.e. - two years) by which the board certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming board certified by the deadline
Failure to obtain board certification during the two-year period may result in termination of employment
Loss of Certification
A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment
Foreign Education
To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
Physical Requirements
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
English Language Proficiency
Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
7403(f)
GRADE DETERMINATIONS
In addition to the basic requirements outlined above - the following criteria must be met for the grade
Health Technician (HIS) - GS-05: Experience
None beyond the basic requirements
Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck
Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines
Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email - creating spreadsheets and word processing
Ability to communicate orally and in writing
Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories
Health Technician (HIS)GS-6: Experience
One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade
Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy
Knowledge of hearing aids - hearing assistive technology - hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software
Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices
Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use - to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion - removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection)
Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations
Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids - hearing assistive technology and patient care that is consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist
Ability to prepare patient - equipment - and/or environment for audiology procedures
Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests
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-06
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-06
Physical Requirements: The duties of the position regularly require periods of sitting - standing and walking
Working with patients requires sitting - bending - standing - and pushing wheelchairs
At times - a light to moderate amount of lifting is required.
Duties
The GS-5 Health Technician (HIS) serves in an entry level developmental position and works under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist
Assignments associated with this level include - but are not limited to the following: Performs non-diagnostic otoscopy including proper bracing techniques and making appropriate referrals for abnormalities and cerumen management
Rechecks air-conduction pure tone threshold testing to assist the audiologist in modifying the treatment plan during hearing aid repair appointments
Provides patient care in hearing aid repair appointments - consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan
Completes visual and auditory checks with listening stethoscope of hearing aids prior to and following repair of device (troubleshoots performance)
Processes incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology
Prepares and charges hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery
Receives devices and restoring settings of hearing aid/hearing assistive technology after repair or replacement from manufacturer - such as Denver Logistics Center (DLC)
Maintains proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies
Adheres to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning - sterilization - and disposition of reusable medical equipment (RME)
Completes documentation per medical center policy for timeliness for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist
Provides instruction to patients - family and staff on device topics including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology care - maintenance - use and operation
Receives and completes incoming communications from Veterans (electronic and telephone) - and facilitates follow-up based on audiologist's treatment plan to include ordering supplies
The GS-6 Health Technician (HIS) serves at the full performance level and works under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist
Assignments associated with this level include - but are not limited to the following: Completes visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories - as well as - alerting devices (troubleshoots performance)
Registers - certifies - and tracks prosthetic devices (hearing aids - hearing aid accessories and assistive devices)
Assists in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures - including - but not limited to daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment
Fabricates earmold impressions with proper otoscopy - orders earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC and fits and modifies earmolds - if necessary
Provides patient care in hearing aid repair appointments consistent with the audiologist’s treatment plan and provides counselling including - but not limited to realistic expectations - communication strategies and/or aural rehabilitation
Maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems to include monitoring stock of RME and consumable items
ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks
prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment with regard to date of expiration
and may maintain a loaner hearing aid inventory
Assists patients with hearing aid connectivity including but not limited to downloading applications (or apps) - pairing devices in the app - Bluetooth® pairing and pairing hearing aid accessories
Assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency following the audiologist's plan of care
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available
Seniority level Entry level
Employment type Full-time
Job function Health Care Provider
Industries Government Administration
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Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)
role at
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range This range is provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range $40,535.00/yr - $58,739.00/yr
Summary This position is the Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) in the Audiology Service at the Visalia Outpatient Clinic in Visalia - CA. The primary responsibility is for patient care - supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures - patient charting and patient education - which do not require a full professional audiology education or knowledge and skills represented by audiology license. ** A recruitment or relocation incentive may be given to a highly qualified applicant**
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
Experience and Education
Experience
Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists
OR Education
Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes coursework related to the field: hearing science - human anatomy and physiology - hearing instrument science - gerontology - psychology or other general healthcare areas
NOTE: There is no combination of education and experience which can be substituted for the basic requirements
Licensure or Registration
Individuals must hold a full - current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a HIS in a state - territory - commonwealth or the District of Columbia
Loss of Licensure or Registration
A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required licensure or registration must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment
Board Certification
Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS)
Exception for Non-Board Certified Health Technician (HIS)
Non-board certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for appointment - may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Health Technician (HIS) under the authority of 38 U.S.C.
7405(c)(2)(B)
Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist
Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained
Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician(HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment
Failure to Obtain Certification
In all cases - Health Technician (HIS) must actively pursue meeting requirements for board certification starting from the date of their appointment
At the time of appointment - the supervisor will provide the Health Technician (HIS) with the written requirements for board certification - including the time (i.e. - two years) by which the board certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming board certified by the deadline
Failure to obtain board certification during the two-year period may result in termination of employment
Loss of Certification
A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment
Foreign Education
To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
Physical Requirements
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
English Language Proficiency
Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
7403(f)
GRADE DETERMINATIONS
In addition to the basic requirements outlined above - the following criteria must be met for the grade
Health Technician (HIS) - GS-05: Experience
None beyond the basic requirements
Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck
Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines
Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email - creating spreadsheets and word processing
Ability to communicate orally and in writing
Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories
Health Technician (HIS)GS-6: Experience
One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade
Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy
Knowledge of hearing aids - hearing assistive technology - hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software
Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices
Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use - to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion - removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection)
Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations
Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids - hearing assistive technology and patient care that is consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist
Ability to prepare patient - equipment - and/or environment for audiology procedures
Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests
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-06
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-06
Physical Requirements: The duties of the position regularly require periods of sitting - standing and walking
Working with patients requires sitting - bending - standing - and pushing wheelchairs
At times - a light to moderate amount of lifting is required.
Duties
The GS-5 Health Technician (HIS) serves in an entry level developmental position and works under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist
Assignments associated with this level include - but are not limited to the following: Performs non-diagnostic otoscopy including proper bracing techniques and making appropriate referrals for abnormalities and cerumen management
Rechecks air-conduction pure tone threshold testing to assist the audiologist in modifying the treatment plan during hearing aid repair appointments
Provides patient care in hearing aid repair appointments - consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan
Completes visual and auditory checks with listening stethoscope of hearing aids prior to and following repair of device (troubleshoots performance)
Processes incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology
Prepares and charges hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery
Receives devices and restoring settings of hearing aid/hearing assistive technology after repair or replacement from manufacturer - such as Denver Logistics Center (DLC)
Maintains proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies
Adheres to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning - sterilization - and disposition of reusable medical equipment (RME)
Completes documentation per medical center policy for timeliness for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist
Provides instruction to patients - family and staff on device topics including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology care - maintenance - use and operation
Receives and completes incoming communications from Veterans (electronic and telephone) - and facilitates follow-up based on audiologist's treatment plan to include ordering supplies
The GS-6 Health Technician (HIS) serves at the full performance level and works under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist
Assignments associated with this level include - but are not limited to the following: Completes visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories - as well as - alerting devices (troubleshoots performance)
Registers - certifies - and tracks prosthetic devices (hearing aids - hearing aid accessories and assistive devices)
Assists in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures - including - but not limited to daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment
Fabricates earmold impressions with proper otoscopy - orders earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC and fits and modifies earmolds - if necessary
Provides patient care in hearing aid repair appointments consistent with the audiologist’s treatment plan and provides counselling including - but not limited to realistic expectations - communication strategies and/or aural rehabilitation
Maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems to include monitoring stock of RME and consumable items
ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks
prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment with regard to date of expiration
and may maintain a loaner hearing aid inventory
Assists patients with hearing aid connectivity including but not limited to downloading applications (or apps) - pairing devices in the app - Bluetooth® pairing and pairing hearing aid accessories
Assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency following the audiologist's plan of care
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available
Seniority level Entry level
Employment type Full-time
Job function Health Care Provider
Industries Government Administration
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