Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

Description:

This position is located in Audiology Service at the Decatur VA Clinic in Decatur IL. 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 supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology. The Health Technician (HIS) possesses knowledge of basic ear anatomy and a broad knowledge of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology.

Requirements:

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.
• English Language Proficiency
• 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.
• 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.
• Board Certification: Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS).

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 : Health Technician (HIS), GS-06.

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-5). Experience includes: Conducting hearing aid fittings, pairing hearing aid accessories, troubleshooting and repair of assistive listening devices. Experienced in patient care, patient charting, detailed oriented and strong customer service skills. Performing non-diagnostic otoscopy; rechecking air-conduction pure tone threshold testing; providing patient care in hearing aid repair appointments; completing visual and auditory checks with listening stethoscope; processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology; preparing and charging (if required) hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery; receiving devices and restoring settings of hearing aid/hearing assistive technology after repair or replacement from manufacturer; and maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies. This experience also includes adhering to infection control and cleaning procedures and guidelines; completing documentation for each episode of care; and providing instruction to patients, family and staff on hearing device topics.
• 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.

Preferred Experience: Hearing aid fitting with geriatric patients.

References: VA Handbook 5005/149, Part II, Appendix G73

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary but also requires some standing, walking, bending, lifting, and carrying of light items. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients.