Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

Veterans Health Administration • Salem, VA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Salem VA Medical Center Audiology is looking for a Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist). The primary responsibility is for patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting, and patient education. Support functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties. This is an open continuous announcement, and candidates will be reviewed and sent to the hiring manager on an as-needed basis.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Must complete all required steps in the process, including an online assessment.
• Tentatively selected candidates for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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.
• Must 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: Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Experience: Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists; OR
• Education: Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes coursework related to the field: hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology or other general healthcare areas.
• Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a HIS in a state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia.
• Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS). (Exception: Non-Board Certified HIS may only be appointed at the entry level for a period NTE two-years)
• Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck.
• Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines.
• Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email, creating spreadsheets and word processing.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories.
• Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy.
• Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software.
• Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices.
• Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use, to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection).
• Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations.
• Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids, hearing assistive technology and patient care that is consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist.
• Ability to prepare patient, equipment, and/or environment for audiology procedures.
• Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests.

Nice To Haves

• Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

Responsibilities

• Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair.
• Performing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology, including all hearing aid accessories as well as alerting devices (troubleshoots performance).
• Provide basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan.
• Assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency, following the audiologist's plan of care.
• Fabricating earmold impressions with proper (non-diagnostic) otoscopy.
• Order earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC and fitting and modifying earmolds.

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.

What This Job Offers

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