Clarification from the agency

NOTE: This is an intermittent Audiologist position with varying hours and work schedules. Open to current VA employees and past/current/upcoming graduates of VHA Health Trainee Programs, as well as the public. Current VA employees should submit their most recent non-award SF-50 (within one year of open date of announcement). NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties include but are not limited to:

• Uses knowledge of principles and techniques in audiology and ability to interpret data
• Has knowledge and ability to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans acquired through education and experience to perform evaluation and treatment of patients
• Exercises limited clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age-specific and unique patient conditions, needs, and expectations
• Communicates effectively with patients and significant others
• Communicates effectively verbally and in writing
• Functions as a constructive member of a team, knowledge of principles, and techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of audiology disorders
• Assists in orientation/training of medical staff
• Assists in orientation and training of new staff
• Assists in the training and supervision of students, trainees, externs, and fellows, providing feedback on progress toward established educational goals
• Keeps current with theory and practice through continuing education programs, journals, textbooks, and other literature, and in-service programs.
• Provides patient and family education including informed consent
• Participates in developing guidelines and protocols, new patient programs, and evaluation of existing programs
• Maintains patient records and other data required by the clinic, service, and medical center
• Maintains, supplies, equipment and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency
• May be requested to serve on service-level committees or task forces or to represent to service/section on medical center, network, or national committees
• Follows applicable informed consent, HIPAA rules on privacy and protecting patient rights

Work Schedule: Variable, typically 8 or 12 hour shifts, tours include day / nights / weekends / holidays. Schedules are subject to change based on the needs of the health care system.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education: Doctor of Audiology (AuD) from an audiology program recognized by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The CAA is the only accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit entry-level audiology programs. HR office staff and management officials may verify the program accredited from CAA at www.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 USDE. (A copy of transcripts with conferred of degree date should be submitted with application package.)
• 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. Non-licensed audiologists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate audiologist at the GS-11 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that these audiologists provide care only under the supervision of fully licensed audiologists. (A copy of valid current license should be submitted with application package.)
• 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).

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:
GS-11 Audiologist Qualifications: The basic requirements, and in addition the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders.
2. Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA.
3. Ability to interact with patients, families and other health care professionals.

Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve in audiologist entry-level developmental positions. Audiologists perform audiology assessment and treatment intervention, exercise clinical judgment, adapt clinical procedures and techniques and document in the medical record appropriate information related to patient care.

GS-12 Audiologist 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 (GS-11). In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required:

1. Skill in determining nature, type and severity of hearing/communication /vestibular disorders.
2. Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders.
3. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals.
4. 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 a 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.

Preferred Experience: Verifit Hearing Aid Measurements and VA Electronic Health Record

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 in the range of GS-11 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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.