Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

Summary

This position is located in the Audiology Service at Tomah VA Medical Center in Tomah, WI and/or all Tomah VA Medical Center Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The Health Technician (HIS) possesses knowledge of basic ear anatomy and a broad knowledge of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a). b. Experience and Education. (1) Experience. Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists; OR (2) 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:

c
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
(1) 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
d
Board Certification
Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS)
(2) 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
(3) 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
e
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
g
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 in paragraph 3, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
GS-05 grade level: 1
Experience
None beyond the basic requirements 2
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck
(b) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines
(c) Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email, creating spreadsheets and word processing
(d) Ability to communicate orally and in writing
(e) Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
(f) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories.

Duties

'Major duties include but not limited to: Performing non-diagnostic otoscopy including proper bracing techniques and making appropriate referrals for abnormalities and cerumen management.
Rechecking air-conduction pure tone threshold testing to assist the audiologist in modifying the treatment plan during hearing aid repair appointments.
Providing patient care in hearing aid repair appointments, consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan.
Processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology.
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 cosignature 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 through DLC.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)/PD000000 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements'