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: HTA, HTSLP or HTASLP candidates 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. Completion of one year experience in a health care field that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work such as but not limited to a health technician (audiology).
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 hours in courses related to the position. An official transcript must be submitted for verification.
OR
3.
Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
Examples are listed below:
(a) 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 industry.
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.
Health Technician Audiology, GS-07
(1)
Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled.
AND
(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).
(a) Ability to mentor and train new HTAs.
(b) Ability to prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist, such as evoked potentials.
(c) 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,
Preferred Experience: Audiology/ ENT experience preferred but not required
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is 7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.