Health Technician (Audiology)

Veterans Health Administration • Daytona Beach, FL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Service at the Orlando VA Healthcare System. The Health Technician (Audiology) performs duties in clinical and other patient-care areas involved with Audiology, including future sites of care not specifically listed. The incumbent is a staff health technician under the supervision of a Senior Audiologist.

The technician supports patient care through hearing-related instruction and counseling, screening and non-diagnostic procedures, hearing-aid troubleshooting and repair, and assistance with in-person and telehealth visits. The role also includes maintaining accurate electronic medical records and encounter documentation, handling clinic communications, managing supplies and loaner inventory, ordering and checking equipment, scheduling appointments, and packaging and mailing hearing aids and accessories.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is ad hoc; this is not a virtual position. Relocation or recruitment incentives may be available for highly qualified candidates. Permanent Change of Station is not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least six months of experience comparable to the next lower level demonstrating knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the position; or successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate or bachelor's degree, including at least 12 semester hours in position-related courses; or a qualifying combination of experience and education.
• For the GS-06 grade: one year of progressive experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, directly related to the position.
• Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy.
• Knowledge of hearing physiology and function sufficient to educate patients and families.
• Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing-aid manufacturers, and manufacturer software.
• Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, and patient care consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under an audiologist's supervision.
• Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures.
• Ability to document and code patient procedures.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and required background/security investigation.
• Must complete required onboarding and application documentation; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment urinalysis.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• May be required to serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Education used to qualify must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education must meet the stated credential-evaluation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Instruct and counsel patients individually or in groups about hearing loss and hearing aids.
• Perform immittance screening without interpretation and non-diagnostic otoscopy.
• Take earmold impressions and troubleshoot and repair hearing aids.
• Provide basic hearing-aid information to patients and caregivers; perform listening checks and analyze device function.
• Pair hearing aids and accessories using Bluetooth technology, program previously stored settings into hearing aids, and activate remote controls.
• Assist with setup and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth/virtual visits by preparing equipment for patient evaluations and other audiology procedures.
• Document interactions and encounters accurately and promptly in the electronic medical record, using computerized tracking and ordering functions through ROES.
• Handle telephone and mail communications within the clinic and across the facility.
• Manage office supplies and track loaner hearing-aid inventory.
• Place electronic orders and verify that orders are complete and components are working correctly upon arrival.
• Schedule appointments and package and mail hearing aids and accessories.

Benefits

• Federal employees earn annual leave based on years of federal service; selected applicants may request prior work or military service credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval.
• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available, with eligibility depending on position type.

What This Job Offers

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