Clarification from the agency

Applicants will be referred in the following order: First - Veteran Preference eligibles ; Second- All other qualified candidates.

This job is also open in another announcement to:

Internal to an agency

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, NOT LIMITED TO:

• The audiologist at this level conducts, plans, and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary audiology practice, with emphasis on the more difficult and complex diagnostic and evaluative work due to the range of testing required to ascertain type and degree of hearing loss and adverse conditions affecting the evaluation process. They evaluate individual hearing resources in cases including: diagnostic test responses that are significantly inconsistent or conflicting, requiring careful selection and interpretation or further diagnostic measures to evaluate hearing; cases of suspected central nervous system pathology (brain tumor) which require specialized diagnostic measures to assist in locating the site of lesion; testing and hearing evaluation for patients with multiple handicaps that hamper the diagnosis such as brain damaged or mentally ill patients unable to react normally to tests, or children with congenital hearing defects that distort all sound perceived.
• The incumbent is responsible for providing audiological services to patients who reside in a large geographical area. The incumbent is responsible for exhibiting VA core values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence (ICARE).
• The incumbent is responsible for independent comprehensive diagnostic audiometric evaluation and assessment of cases referred to Audiology without limitation as to the difficulty or complexity both in terms of the severity of the communications impairment and presence of complicating physical and emotional factors that impinge on the evaluation, assessment, and treatment process. The results of evaluations and assessments will be utilized in the assessment of hearing impairment and may include compensation and pension examinations for adjudication and medico-legal purposes.
• The incumbent will provide counseling and guidance to veterans and their families, and other persons responsible for his/her care, about the nature, degree, and effect of hearing impairment and treatment options. They also provide professional counsel in difficult cases to minimize the patients' fears of the testing process, and of disability in general, and to explain what corrective measures are possible. Specialists at this level also formulate ongoing aural rehabilitation plans, design training plans, and develop techniques to help the impaired individual better utilize his remaining communications resources.
• The incumbent communicates findings to other members of the treatment team in a timely manner and incorporates their treatment plan and recommendations into the overall plan of care for the patient. They will utilize all diagnostic and evaluative procedures consistent with contemporary audiology practice.
• The incumbent is responsible for identification and evaluation of individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech, language and other acoustic signals to a full range of patient complexity. Administers the full range of tests including the testing of the type and degree of hearing loss for patients who may be unable to provide consistent and reliable reaction to diagnostics; performs cerumen management; provides initial assessment for cochlear implant referral. The audiologist at this grade level will appropriately identify and refer for special audiological procedures for a diverse range of disease conditions (e.g. site of lesion tests, ABR, ENG/VNG) for the purpose of differential diagnosis of auditory and balance disorders.
• The incumbent is responsible for the technical accuracy of assessments and soundness of their recommendations, and for the reporting of the findings to other professional workers with whom he/she or other members of the audiology service may cooperate in formulating diagnostic and clinical judgments; assesses patient condition from close observation and consultation with other members of the inter-disciplinary health care team; and utilizing all diagnostic and evaluative procedures and techniques consistent with contemporary audiology practice.
• The incumbent is responsible for treatment and rehabilitative services including, but not limited to, fitting and selection of all types of hearing aids; ear impressions; programming & verification of digital hearing aids; selection and fitting of assistive devices and assistive listening devices such as personal and FM amplifiers, telephone amplifiers, etc.; inspection, modification, and repair of amplification devices and ear molds; and hearing conservation for employees at risk for noise exposure.

Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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 dentification 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.
• Education
  • Doctor of Audiology (AUD) from an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) or Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). HR office staff and management officials may verify a program's accreditation from ACAE at acaeaccred.org and CAA at 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 U.S. Department of Education
• 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.
    • The Under Secretary of Health, or designee, may appoint a candidate without a license who will be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. In such instances, HR office staff can only appoint these candidates in exceptional circumstances where their credentials demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.
    • All audiologists who perform compensation and pension examinations perform direct patient care duties and must possess a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice audiology and must meet the experience requirements under Section 2. D. See 38 C.F.R. § 4.85.
  • Exception for Non-Licensed Audiologist
    • Non-Licensed applicants 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).
    • Non-Licensed individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a fully licensed audiologists at or above the full performance level.
    • Non-Licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-12 grade level until licensure is obtained.
    • Temporary appointments of non-Licensed audiologists may not be extended beyond two years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.
• English Language Proficiency. Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Audiologist, GS-11.

• Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders.
  • Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA.
  • Ability to interact with patients, families, and other health care professionals.

Audiologist, GS-12

• 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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required:
  • Skill in determining nature, type, and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders.
  • Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders.
  • Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals.
  • Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations.

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: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, light carrying, under 15 pounds, use of fingers, walking 1-2 hours per day, standing 4 hours per day, periodic kneeling. Near vision correctable at 13' to 16' to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other and hearing (aid permitted). Perform CPR chest compressions (minimum 0.5 hours).

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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