Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

Veterans Health Administration • Fayetteville, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is a Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Fayetteville VA Medical Center Audiology Service at Fayetteville HCC in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The technician supports Audiology clinical programs in clinical and other patient-care areas. The work focuses on patient care and support for diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting, and patient education that do not require a full professional audiology education or the knowledge and skills represented by audiology licensure. Support functions include direct patient care and administrative duties.

The announcement is open continuously until November 9, 2026. Qualified applicants may be considered and referred as vacancies become available. The full performance level is GS-06, and selections may be made at GS-05 or GS-06. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives, as well as permanent change of station, are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Either completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists, or successful completion of two academic years above high school that include coursework related to hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology, or other general healthcare areas.
• A full, current, and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a Hearing Instrument Specialist in a state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS), unless qualifying under the specified grandfathering provision for eligible current VHA employees.
• For GS-05: no experience beyond the basic requirements; knowledge of basic head and neck anatomy and infection control; basic computer software skills; oral and written communication; ability to follow instructions and maintain inventory.
• For GS-06: one year of experience equivalent to GS-05; knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy, hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, manufacturers, and manufacturer software; skills in documenting procedures and devices and educating patients about hearing aid use, insertion, removal, cleaning, and disinfection; ability to educate patients about hearing loss and communication strategies, make decisions consistent with a documented and co-signed care plan under audiologist supervision, prepare patients and equipment, and triage calls and requests.
• Foreign education must be deemed equivalent to a U.S. program by a private organization specializing in foreign educational credential interpretation.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and from an accredited institution; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.
• Must complete the application, questionnaire, online assessment, and all other application requirements.
• Selected applicants are subject to pre-employment drug testing, background/security investigation, onboarding requirements, and a pre-employment physical examination; refusal to undergo required drug testing results in denial of employment.
• Must meet Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Physical requirements include light lifting and carrying under 15 pounds; use of fingers and both hands; specified near and far vision; mental and emotional stability; working inside and outside and closely with others; distinguishing basic colors and color shades; and hearing, with an aid permitted.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair hearing aids.
• Perform visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology, including accessories and alerting devices, and troubleshoot their performance.
• Provide patients and caregivers with basic hearing aid information consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan.
• Triage patient phone calls and Audiology requests by priority and urgency, following the audiologist's plan of care.
• Fabricate earmold impressions using proper non-diagnostic otoscopy.
• Order earmolds through Prosthetics or DLC based on the plan of care, and fit and modify earmolds.
• Support diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting, and patient education.
• Prepare patients, equipment, and/or the environment for Audiology procedures.
• Document patient procedures and patient devices.
• Maintain stock and supply level inventories.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits are available to eligible employees; eligibility depends on position type and other factors. The posting does not specify particular benefits.

What This Job Offers

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