Health Technician (Audiology)

Veterans Health Administration • Martinez, CA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The developmental-level Health Technician (Audiology) position is in the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Service of VANCHCS. Patient services are delivered in person at the Martinez/Mare Island clinic site and through telehealth. The position provides patient care and supports diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting, and patient education that do not require a full professional audiology education or audiology licensure.

Under the supervision of a licensed audiologist, the technician performs a full range of duties and provides day-to-day clinical support to staff audiologists at the assigned location. The role includes direct patient care and administrative support, requires minimal direct supervision, and may involve providing guidance to less experienced staff. The full performance level is GS-06; applicants may be selected at GS-04 through GS-06.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, with limited statutory exceptions for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Six months of qualifying health-care-industry experience comparable to the next lower level; or two academic years above high school toward an associate or bachelor's degree, including at least 12 semester hours of health-care-related courses; or a qualifying combination of experience and education. Transcripts are required when qualifying through education.
• For GS-05: one year of qualifying experience comparable to the next lower level, or four academic years above high school toward a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours related to the position, or an appropriate bachelor's degree; and demonstration of the listed GS-05 KSAs.
• GS-05 KSAs include knowledge of head and neck anatomy, clear oral and written communication, basic hearing assistive technologies, basic infection-control procedures and guidelines, maintaining stock and supply inventories, and using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheets, and word processing.
• For GS-06: one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position, and demonstration of the listed GS-06 KSAs.
• GS-06 KSAs include knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy; hearing physiology and function for patient and family education; hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, manufacturers, and manufacturer software; problem-solving and decision-making regarding hearing aids, assistive technology, and patient care under an audiologist's documented and co-signed plan of care; preparing patients for testing; and documenting and coding patient procedures.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Selected applicants must undergo applicable pre-employment drug testing and pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination; refusal to take a required drug test results in denial of employment.
• Selected applicants are subject to a background/security investigation, online onboarding, and applicable identification requirements.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Applicants must complete the application requirements in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• A one- or two-year trial period is required; continued employment depends on written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Education used to meet qualifications must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with safe and effective cerumen removal.
• Hands-on experience with hearing-aid fittings and adjustments.
• Familiarity with clinical documentation, scheduling, and patient education.
• Strong communication skills.
• Prior work in a hospital, clinic, or VA setting.

Responsibilities

• Greet and escort patients.
• Provide individual or group instruction to patients on hearing loss and hearing aids.
• Perform non-diagnostic otoscopy and cerumen management.
• Take earmold impressions.
• Troubleshoot and repair hearing aids, perform listening checks, and pair hearing aids and accessories using Bluetooth technology.
• Provide basic hearing-aid information to patients and care partners.
• Document patient care activities accurately and promptly in the electronic medical record and ROES.
• Prepare and mail IOHI surveys and enter patient data in ROES.
• Maintain clinical office supplies and appropriate supply levels in patient care rooms; manage supplies through Omnicell and quarterly ordering procedures.
• Ensure clinical supplies are within their use dates.
• Track loaner stock and hearing-aid inventory.
• Verify orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctly.
• Package and mail hearing aids and accessories.
• Process ROES transactions, including certifying and issuing hearing aids and entering orders and repairs.
• Respond to routine patient inquiries, determine the nature of hearing-aid inquiries, and answer administrative questions.
• Support audiologists with day-to-day clinical services under their supervision.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Eligible selected applicants may receive credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• After 60 days of employment, eligible full-time employees with total family income below $144,000 may qualify for a child-care subsidy of up to 25% of eligible costs, subject to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree