Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all U.S. Citizens. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred in the following order: 1) Preference eligible Veterans; 2) All other qualified U.S. Citizens. If you are a current, permanent employee of Veteran Health Administration, please apply to CBSX-12436063-24-CR.

Videos

Duties may include, but not limited to the following:

• Greets and escorts patients.
• Provides patient/family member instruction/counseling on hearing loss and hearing aids.
• Performs non-diagnostic otoscopy.
• Services hearing aids and hearing aid accessories i.e restoring/programming previously stored settings; hearing aid troubleshooting/electroacoustic analysis and repair.
• Demonstrates proper use and care of Pocketalkers, and other assistive devices.
• Triages patient to an audiologist based on complexity of the procedures being completed.
• Mentors and trains new HTAs, conduct hearing (pass/fail) screenings without interpretation (AMTAS/Store and Forward Telehealth)
• Prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist such as evoked potentials/Vestibular patient room set up,
• Assists the Audiologist in individual and group aural rehabilitation sessions either F2F or VVC.
• Ensures timely and accurate documentation of all interactions and each episode of care in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions.
• Manages and transports orders clinical and office supplies and manages loaner stock inventory.
• Verifies and receives orders to ensure components are present and working correctly, packaging and mailing ASP accessories, processing ROES transactions (e.g. certifying hearing aids, entering orders and repairs),
• Schedules appointments
• Responds to routine inquiries from patients and visitors requesting information,
• Manages infection control and patient safety.
• Maintains a clean and disinfected instrumentation, equipment and work surfaces.
• Participates in performance improvement activities aimed at improving the efficiency of the ASPS specifically attending hearing aid manufacturer training.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.

English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).

Experience and Education.

1. Experience. Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. OR,
2. Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the position. OR,
3. Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. An example of a combination of experience/education is three months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours related to the health care i industry.
4. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.

1. They may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
2. If an HTA who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
3. Temporary appointments may not be extended. The HTA may not be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
4. If additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard is obtained it must be maintained as a condition of employment in the occupation.

1. Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS06) directly related to the position being filled.
2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
   1. Ability to mentor and train new HTAs.
   2. Ability to prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist, such as evoked potentials.
   3. Ability to develop and implement the technician role for a program in a focused area of audiology.
3. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. The HTA at this level works under supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments associated with this position include, but are not limited to: completing adjustments to hearing aid settings as outlined in the audiologist's plan of care, preparing patients for advanced diagnostic procedures such as evoked potentials and collaborating with audiology team to develop training programs for patients and staff.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.