Health Technician (Audiology)

Veterans Health Administration • Durham, NC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service within the Durham VA Health Care System, in Durham, Brier Creek, and associated facilities in North Carolina. The duties and responsibilities are carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The primary responsibility is for patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education, which do not require a full professional audiology education or knowledge and skills represented by audiology licensure. Support functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties. The incumbent must be able to mentor and train new health technicians (Audiology). The incumbent at this level is required to have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to develop and implement the technician role for a program in a focused area of audiology. Focused work would encompass 25% on the health technician's time, and involve a focus on working with/supporting our specialty programs (i.e. Tinnitus, Hearing Implant, Vestibular, Telehealth), as well as collecting various outcome measures, and supporting our overall hearing aid program.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must complete all required steps in the process, including application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Tentatively selected applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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 forms of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• 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 effective May 7, 2025.
• 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.
• Will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
• 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 candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
• Six 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.
• OR Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the position.
• OR Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
• Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled (for GS-7).
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) for GS-7: Ability to mentor and train new HTAs.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) for GS-7: Ability to prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist, such as evoked potentials.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) for GS-7: Ability to develop and implement the technician role for a program in a focused area of audiology.

Nice To Haves

• Compressed work schedule likely available based on clinic operational need and supervisor approval.

Responsibilities

• Triaging patients to an audiologist based on complexity of the procedures being completed.
• Performing listening checks on hearing aids.
• Pairing hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology.
• Programming previously stored settings into hearing aids.
• Activating remote controls.
• Conducting hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation.
• Managing office supplies.
• Tracking loaner stock hearing aid inventory.
• Responding to routine inquiries from patients, including determining nature of hearing aid inquiry and responding to administrative questions.
• Assisting patients, visitors, and others requesting information.
• Management of infection control, patient safety, and clinical supplies for the audiology clinic.
• Maintenance of clean, disinfected instrumentation, equipment, and work surfaces in the audiology clinic.
• Reprocessing reusable medical equipment based on facility policy according to Medical Center infection control procedures and reusable medical equipment policies.
• Taking earmold impressions.
• Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair.
• Mentoring and training new health technicians (Audiology).
• Developing and implementing the technician role for a program in a focused area of audiology.
• Working with/supporting specialty programs (i.e. Tinnitus, Hearing Implant, Vestibular, Telehealth).
• Collecting various outcome measures.
• Supporting the overall hearing aid program.

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.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

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