Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

Veterans Health Administration • Durham, NC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is a Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) in the Audiology Service at the Durham VA Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. The technician supports clinical Audiology programs and works in clinical and other patient-care areas. The full-performance level is GS-06; selections may be made at GS-05 or GS-06. The announcement is open continuously until November 16, 2026, and qualified applicants may be referred as vacancies become available.

The role includes instructing and counseling patients and caregivers about hearing loss and hearing aids, carrying out routine hearing-aid and accessory tasks, maintaining clinic equipment and work areas, responding to patient inquiries, and supporting appointment and device logistics. The position is not virtual, and telework is not available. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists, or successful completion of two academic years above high school including coursework related to hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology, or other general healthcare areas.
• A full, current, and unrestricted state, territory, commonwealth, or District of Columbia license or registration to practice as a Hearing Instrument Specialist.
• Active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS), unless qualifying under the stated grandfathering provision for eligible current VHA employees.
• For GS-05: knowledge of basic head and neck anatomy and infection-control procedures; basic computer software skills; oral and written communication; ability to follow verbal and written instructions; and ability to maintain stock and supply inventories.
• For GS-06: one year of experience equivalent to GS-05 performing relevant Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) responsibilities.
• For GS-06: knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy, hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, manufacturers, and manufacturer software; skill in documenting patient procedures and devices and educating patients on hearing-aid use, insertion, removal, hygiene, hearing loss, and communication strategies; and ability to make decisions consistent with a documented, co-signed plan of care under an audiologist's supervision.
• For GS-06: ability to prepare patients, equipment, and environments for Audiology procedures and to triage patient telephone calls or Audiology requests.
• Successful completion of applicable pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Must meet applicable physical requirements described in VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities

• Instruct and counsel patients individually or in groups about hearing loss and hearing aids.
• Provide patients and caregivers with basic hearing-aid information.
• Perform listening checks on hearing aids.
• Program previously stored settings into hearing aids and activate remote controls.
• Pair hearing aids and accessories using Bluetooth technology.
• Maintain clean and disinfected instruments, equipment, and work surfaces in the Audiology clinic.
• Reprocess reusable medical equipment according to facility policy, infection-control procedures, and reusable-medical-equipment policies.
• Respond to routine patient inquiries, determine the nature of hearing-aid inquiries, and answer administrative questions.
• Package and mail hearing aids and accessories.
• Schedule appointments.
• Verify orders upon arrival to confirm components are present and working correctly.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and paid federal holidays.
• Possible credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to the stated income and eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• 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