Audiologist (Clinical Specialist) -Tinnitus Program Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. CBTF-12798665-25-CJ-TEAMC Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $120,579.00 to $156,755.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/30/2025 Close Date 10/10/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at the Washington, DC. VA Medical Center. Incumbent functions as the Program Coordinator of the Washington DC VAMC Tinnitus Program and is responsible for providing comprehensive clinical services, as well as coordinating and overseeing the Tinnitus Program in audiology. Carries out general duty assignments but also serves as the subject matter expert (SME) for health care providers regarding delivery of care in the area of tinnitus.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees at the Washington, DC VA Medical Center facility ONLY.

Duties

The incumbent at this grade level is an advanced-practice, independent, licensed practitioner and applies advanced audiology knowledge, theories, and techniques to a full range of complex patient populations.

In addition to clinical duties of an audiologist at the full practice level, the incumbent has special clinical program responsibilities for the implementation and ongoing operation of audiology services for tinnitus.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Uses knowledge of contemporary audiology practice;
  • Exercises independent clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age-specific and unique patient conditions, needs, and expectations;
  • Consults with physicians and other health care practitioners related to diagnostic evaluation and treatment;
  • Evaluates patients to determine the nature, type, and severity of hearing and balance disorders using a full range of diagnostic tests and techniques, past, family, and social history, record review, and consultation with family and other health care practitioners;
  • Plans, coordinates, and implements a full range of patient-focused treatment services designed to optimize function;
  • Documents in the medical record: evaluation, diagnosis, and clinical opinion, treatment plans, outcomes of treatment, changes in functional status, and patient/family education;
  • Attends interdisciplinary team meetings, participates with other health care practitioners to address the global needs of the patient, and advises on diagnosis and treatment.
  • Applies advanced theories and techniques to special patient populations, provides professional advice and counseling, and provides consultation as the SME in tinnitus for audiology.
  • Provides advanced tinnitus management in person and via telehealth, and coordinates care with an in-depth understanding of complex and difficult patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis, and co-morbid and co-occurring conditions; demonstrates advanced competence in the examination and treatment of patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis;
  • Understands and follows the NCRAR program of Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM) and incorporates the principles and practices into ongoing clinical services;
  • Serves as the SME in the areas of tinnitus and hyperacusis; reviews, updates, and maintains policies and procedures related to tinnitus and hyperacusis;
  • Articulates and communicates goals, objectives, and focused initiatives to associated staff of the Tinnitus Program, as well as guiding the team members on work methods, practices, and procedures;
  • Consults with the interdisciplinary team, which includes primary care, mental health, neurology, otolaryngology, TBI clinics, nutrition, sleep clinic, whole health, prosthetics, and pharmacy, creating and maintaining an ongoing working relationship within the Washington DC VAMC and CBOCs, for provision of tinnitus management services in accordance with NCRAR; and
  • Continually monitors and tracks the efficacy and quality of the program to make suggestions for ongoing improvement.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

The incumbent is under the general supervision of the Section Chief of Audiology and the Service Chief of Audiology and Speech Pathology.
  • Responsible for planning and carrying out the assignment independently,
  • Resolving most of the conflicts that arise,
  • Coordinating the work with others as necessary,
  • Interpreting policy on own initiative in terms of established objectives.
  • Determines the approach to be taken and the methodology to be used.
  • Keeps the supervisor informed of progress and potentially controversial matters.
  • Completed work is reviewed only in meeting technical requirements or expected results.

Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 25221-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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.
  • You may be required to serve a trial period.
  • 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).

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.
  • 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. NOTE: Effective January 1, 2007, the CAA in Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree or AUD programs in audiology.
  • 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.
  • English Language Proficiency. Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
Grade Determinations:

Audiologist, GS-12.
(1) 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.

(2) 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 the 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.

Audiologist (Clinical Specialist), GS-13.
(1) Experience. At least two years of experience as a professional audiologist, with at least one year comparable to the next lower grade level.

(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs identified below:
  • Advanced knowledge in a focused area of contemporary audiology practice to provide oversight of a specialty program.
  • Skill to evaluate the specialty program to ensure deadlines and goals are met.
  • Skill to coordinate initiatives and build consensus among interdisciplinary team members.
  • Ability to monitor and report on work progress in the specialty program to adjust workload and processes.
  • Ability to serve as the SME and provide education relating to the specialty program.
(3) Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Audiologists (Clinical Specialists) provide leadership and direct oversight in the design, development, implementation, planning, and management of the specialty program. They serve as coaches or facilitators for the interdisciplinary team and are responsible for training all support staff and trainees as it relates to the specialty program. These individuals serve as the SME in matters regarding the specialty program.

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-13.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent will be required to walk patients from the waiting room to the exam room, stand while performing audiology testing as needed, carry small packages (1 to 2 lbs.), have near vision correctable at 13" to 16", and have functional hearing (aid permitted).

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

"Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care."

The DC Medical Center, located in sight of the Nation's Capitol, provides care to Veterans. Offering tertiary care in a Complexity Level IB hospital, allows the multidisciplinary staff to provide comprehensive primary and specialty care in medicine, surgery, neurology and psychiatry."

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries.

The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE"). As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips.


Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

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, 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 a resume or during an 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.

Required Documents

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

  • License
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript



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
  • License
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action ( for Eligibility):
  • Most recent SF-50 (2025) if you are a current or former Federal employee
  • An SF-50 showing your one year of experience eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not demonstrate that you possess one year of experience, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly shows one year of experience
  • Award 50s do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted to verify one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
  • Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
    • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
    • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old or
    • SF-50s at the highest grade held with an effective date of more than one year old.

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, 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.

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.

How to Apply

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 10/10/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12798665.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Agency contact information

Carla Joyner
Address
Washington VA Medical Center
50 Irving Street, Northwest
Washington, DC 20422
US

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 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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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