Health Technician - Hearing Instrument Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Bronx, NY

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) position is assigned to the Audiology Department at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center (JJP VAMC) in Bronx, New York. Duties and responsibilities are carried out in all clinical and patient care areas associated with the Audiology service. The Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) supports the clinical programs and functions of the Audiology Department.

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 applicants 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 form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Effective May 7, 2025, 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.
• 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 (Hearing Instrument Specialist) 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.
• Licensure or Registration: 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.
• Board Certification: Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS).
• Non-board certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for appointment, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Health Technician (HIS) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B).
• Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist.
• Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained.
• Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
• Health Technician (HIS) must actively pursue meeting requirements for board certification starting from the date of their appointment.
• 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 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.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair.
• Performing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and assistive technology (including all accessories and alerting devices).
• Fabricating earmold impressions with proper (non-diagnostic) otoscopy.
• Ordering earmolds based on plan of care and fitting/modifying as necessary.
• Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers, including realistic expectations, communication strategies, and/or aural rehabilitation.
• Assisting in set-up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits, including preparing equipment for evaluations and procedures (e.g., daily biologic listening calibration, real-ear equipment calibration).
• Assisting patients with hearing aid connectivity, such as downloading apps, pairing devices, Bluetooth pairing, and pairing accessories.
• Ensuring timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in medical records using electronic systems.
• Completing documentation per policy and coding procedures for co-signature by the audiologist.
• Maintaining comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems, including monitoring stock of RME and consumables.
• Ensuring proper inventory levels for daily tasks.
• Prioritizing acquisition of supplies/equipment based on expiration dates and maintaining a loaner hearing aid inventory.
• Triaging patient phone calls and audiology requests according to priority and urgency, following the audiologist's plan of care.

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: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree