Summary
The incumbent for this position is considered a FLOAT health technician and will have a primary duty station of the main facility in Viera, Florida. The candidate must be willing to be placed, detailed or temporarily assigned to other locations, within the Corporate Orlando network of clinics, as necessary. Under supervision, he/she will be responsible for providing hearing aid related care, speech aid if applicable, assistance to staff and patient education.
Clarification from the agency
Open to all U.S. Citizens.
THIS VACANCY WILL BE OPEN & CONTINUOUS OR UNTIL FILLED.
APPLICANTS MUST HOLD A CURRENT NATIONAL BOARD FOR CERTIFICATION IN HEARING INSTRUMENT SCIENCES( NBC-HIS) CERTIFICATION TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS VACANCY.
Duties
***This position will be based at the VIERA OPC, and may float to any location where there is an Audiology clinic in the OVAHCS.
This position has a high degree of visibility throughout the medical center and the general public as a result of direct patient care contact with the veteran population. Professionalism, proficiency, and a high positive image on behalf of the Veteran's Health Administration are critical and required. Some of the major duties include the cleaning, repair, troubleshooting, processing, and physical modification of hearing aids and other assisted listening/speech devices.
The incumbent will assist to organize work to achieve approved goals and will be responsible for working within and organizing the flow of patients in the Audiology Clinic by performing the following:
Greeting and escorting patients; Patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting; Conducting hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation; Non-diagnostic otoscopy; Taking earmold impressions; Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair; Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers, including realistic expectations, communication strategies, and/or aural rehabilitation; assisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits; 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; Performing listening checks on hearing aids; Electroacoustic analysis of devices; Pairing hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology; Programming previously stored settings into hearing aids; Activating remote controls. The Health Technician (HIS) assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency, following the audiologist's plan of care.
Administrative duties may include, but not limited to: Managing office supplies; Tracking loaner stock hearing aid inventory; Electronic ordering, verifying orders; Scheduling appointments; Packaging and mailing hearing aids and accessories; Processing ROES transactions; Responding to routine patient inquiries, and responding to administrative questions; Assisting patients, visitors, and others requesting information; Management of infection control, patient safety, and clinical audiology supplies; Maintenance of clean, disinfected instrumentation, equipment, and work surfaces; Reprocessing reusable medical equipment according to Medical Center infection control procedures and reusable medical equipment policies; responsible for functional checks for audiometric test equipment daily; Perform timekeeping duties and associated tour of duty changes.
Work Schedule: Tour to be decided upon hire.
The selectee may also be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis, based on patient care needs.
Travel Required: Routine travel. You will be expected to travel for this position. You must be able to travel within the Orlando Audiology clinics. The selectee will routinely be required to work or travel between any of the locations within Corporate Orlando.
Telework: Yes-as determined by the agency policy. Telework is AD HOC and not routine.
Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified candidates.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.
APPLICANTS MUST HOLD A CURRENT NATIONAL BOARD FOR CERTIFICATION IN HEARING INSTRUMENT SCIENCES( NBC-HIS) CERTIFICATION TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS VACANCY.
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
***APPLICANTS MUST HOLD A CURRENT NATIONAL BOARD FOR CERTIFICATION IN HEARING INSTRUMENT SCIENCES( NBC-HIS) CERTIFICATION TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS VACANCY.***
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. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:
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).
(1) Exception for Non-Board Certified Health Technician (HIS). (a) 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).(b) Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist.(c) Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained.(d) Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
(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.
f. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
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).
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). REFER TO THE EDUCATION SECTION (below).
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs located in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section below.
Grade Determinations: for GS-5 (Developmental) grade level:
(1) Specialized Experience Required: At least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4)in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to: Works under the direction supervision of a licensed audiologist; Completing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology; Repairing or returning hearing aids to the factory; Restoring hearing aid or hearing assistive technology settings after repair or replacement; and ordering, registering, certifying, issuing and tracking prosthetic devices; Assists in setting up and delivering face to face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures; Provides clinical procedures consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care which may include non-diagnostic otoscopy, cerumen management, foreign body removal and ear mold impressions and without interpretation, immittance screening and hearing screening; Educates patients, family and staff on topics including but not limited to; Completes documentation for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist.
OR
(2) Education. Successful completion of four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in courses related to the position or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to the functions of the occupation.
Grade Determinations: for GS-6, Full Performance Level (FPL) grade level:
Specialized Experience Required: At least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to: Work independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist; Completing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology; Repairing or returning hearing aids to the factory; Restoring hearing aid or hearing assistive technology settings after repair or replacement, and ordering, registering, certifying, issuing and tracking prosthetic devices; Assists in setting up and delivering face to face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures; Provides clinical procedures consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care which may include non-diagnostic otoscopy, cerumen management, foreign body removal and ear mold impressions and without interpretation, immittance screening and hearing screening; Educates patients, family and staff on topics including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology care, maintenance, use and operation, hearing conservation and realistic expectations for hearing aid use; Completes documentation for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-73.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 and GS-6.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Grandfathering Provision. All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
- They may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) 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.
- If an HTA, HTSLP or HTASLP 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.
- HTAs, HTSLPs or HTASLPs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
- Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS)
- Professional Certification
- Resume
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS)
- Professional Certification
- Resume
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/01/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12271633.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
|