Audiologist

Veterans Health Administration • Palo Alto, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at the Palo Alto VA Health Care System. Duties are performed throughout the medical center, including clinical and other patient-care areas. The audiologist plans, conducts, and coordinates diagnostic evaluation and treatment of hearing impairment and balance disorders.

At GS-11, the audiologist works under the supervision of an assigned licensed and credentialed GS-12 or GS-13 audiologist. The incumbent plans and carries out assignments, resolves conflicts, coordinates work, interprets policy in relation to established objectives, and keeps the supervisor informed of progress and potentially controversial matters. At GS-12, the audiologist works under the general supervision of the Chief or Assistant Chief of Audiology and Speech Pathology Service and functions as an independent practitioner. Completed work is reviewed for technical requirements or expected results.

At the full-performance GS-12 level, the audiologist manages clinical and administrative aspects of contemporary, evidence-based, patient-centered audiology services. The role includes direct patient care; hearing and balance evaluation and treatment; Compensation and Pension examinations; hearing-aid and other amplification-system selection and fitting; aural rehabilitation; and counseling veterans and their families. The audiologist evaluates hearing and communication disorders across a full range of patient complexity, administers diagnostic tests including auditory evoked potential, central auditory processing, and vestibular nerve function testing, and assesses patients who may be unable to provide consistent diagnostic responses.

The audiologist plans, delivers, and monitors treatment and rehabilitation for patients with significant physical or psychological complicating conditions. Services may include programming digital hearing aids; issuing hearing protection; fitting assistive and assistive-listening devices; and inspecting, modifying, or repairing amplification devices and earmolds. The role also includes planning and coordinating aural, tinnitus, and/or vestibular rehabilitation; developing individual and group treatment plans; and designing and conducting a hearing-conservation program for employees at risk of noise exposure.

The audiologist supervises, evaluates, mentors, and precepts audiology students and maintains relationships with affiliated colleges and universities. The incumbent may provide instruction to residents and interns, completes documentation according to facility policy, maintains professional competence through continuing education and other learning activities, and participates in staff and interdisciplinary team meetings, policy reviews, and in-service training. Other duties may be assigned.

Work schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or as determined by the supervisor. This is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized. The full-performance level is GS-12; selection may be at GS-11 or GS-12.

Requirements

• Doctor of Audiology (AuD) from a program recognized by ACAE or CAA, or another doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting institution.
• Full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice audiology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated exception for eligible non-licensed GS-11 graduate audiologists.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-11: knowledge of principles and techniques for assessing and treating auditory and balance disorders; ability to perform functions within contemporary audiology scope of practice; and ability to interact with patients, families, and other health care professionals.
• For GS-12: one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower grade level.
• For GS-12: skill in determining the nature, type, and severity of hearing, communication, and vestibular disorders; skill in counseling patients and family members; ability to advise and consult with other health care professionals; and ability to independently apply contemporary audiologic treatments across patient populations.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Must meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete the online onboarding and application requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• May be required to serve a two-year trial period.

Responsibilities

• Plan, conduct, monitor, and coordinate clinical and administrative audiology services.
• Evaluate hearing, communication, and balance disorders using appropriate diagnostic tests and assess the type and degree of hearing loss.
• Provide direct patient care, including hearing and balance evaluation and treatment and Compensation and Pension examinations.
• Select, fit, and program hearing aids and other amplification systems; provide hearing protection and assistive listening devices; and inspect, modify, or repair amplification devices and earmolds.
• Provide aural rehabilitation and counsel veterans and their families about hearing impairment and related disorders.
• Plan and coordinate aural, tinnitus, and/or vestibular rehabilitation programs and develop individual or group patient-centered treatment plans.
• Design, monitor, and conduct a hearing-conservation program for employees at risk of noise exposure.
• Supervise, evaluate, mentor, and precept audiology student trainees and maintain liaison with affiliated colleges and universities.
• Provide instruction to residents and interns as appropriate.
• Complete patient-care documentation in accordance with facility policy.
• Maintain professional competency through professional reading, continuing education, professional learning, and communication with other professionals.
• Attend staff and interdisciplinary health care team meetings, review policies and procedures, and attend in-service training.
• Keep the assigned supervisor informed of progress and potentially controversial matters.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal service or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree