The Lead Health Technician for the Audiology Section of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System Audiology & Speech Pathology Service provides leadership and oversight to health technicians while also completing activities performed by the audiology health technicians to support optimal clinical operations. These activities include hearing aid maintenance and repairs, management of the technical aspects of cerumen removal, organization and direction within the service on a day-to-day basis. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and Education (1) Experience. Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. OR (2) Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the position. OR (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. An example of a combination of experience/education is three months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours related to the health care industry. Certification. Certification by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) https://www.caohc.org/ as a Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC) is required for the HTA, GS-08 assignment only. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. HTA, HTSLP or HTASLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Grade Determinations: Lead HTA, GS-08 Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. For reference, experience at the next lower grade level (GS-7): Works under supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments associated with this position include, but are not limited to: completing adjustments to hearing aid settings as outlined in the audiologist's plan of care, preparing patients for advanced diagnostic procedures such as evoked potentials and collaborating with audiology team to develop training programs for patients and staff. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of organization theory and leadership theory. (b) Ability to apply principles of leadership during interactions with staff. (c) Ability to identify problems in clinic operations, consider possible solutions and implement actions approved by supervisor. (d) Skill in communicating programmatic decisions to staff. Preferred Experience: Awareness of audiology practices Awareness of VA Systems, CPRS, Message Manager, Secure Messaging, VISTA Experience in patient care, mentoring, training, and oversight Some education/formal training References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G70 Health Technician (Audiology), Health Technician (Speech-Language Pathology) and Health Technician (Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology) Qualification Standard dated May 13, 2021. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing (8 hours); repeated bending (5 hours) near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability. ["The Lead Health Technician Audiology (HTA) is responsible for the oversight of the performance of the technician staff. They will demonstrate the ability to mentor and train new audiology health technicians. The incumbent also functions as the focal point of interaction between the professional staff and the technician staff and appropriate support is provided to maintain clinical operations. This individual will remain up to date on the progress of work being completed by the unit, and make day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities, obtaining assistance from the supervisor on problems that may arise, such as backlogs which cannot be disposed of promptly. The incumbent distributes and balances the workload among technicians in accordance with established workflow or job specialization, assures timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, and assures that each employee has sufficient workload. The Lead HTA ensures the technicians follow the guidelines for completion of duties as outlined by this service and estimates and reports on expected time of completion of work, while maintaining records of work accomplishments and time expended and preparation of production reports as requested. The lead will ensure continuing education will be conducted as needed for each technician as the nature of hearing aid prosthetics change with extreme rapidity. This will include instruction to employees in specific tasks and job techniques and make available written instructions, reference materials and supplies. The lead will coordinate on the work-unit specific job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices, The lead will report to the Chief and the Assistance Chief, Audiology and Speech Pathology on performance, progress, and training needs of employees, and on behavior problems. This will include providing information to supervisor as requested concerning promotions, reassignments, recognition of outstanding performance and personal needs. The Lead HTA will ensure quality care is delivered by all technicians for our beneficiaries, including amending or rejecting work not meeting established standards, referral to supervisor questions or matters not covered by standards and problems in meeting performance standards. This includes checking on work in progress or spot-checking work not requiring review (e.g. filing or direct services) and review completed work to see that supervisor's instruction on work sequence, procedures, methods and deadlines have been met. The Lead HTA is responsible for monitoring utilization rates of consumable supplies within this service. They are also responsible to ensure those items are restocked to maintain operational needs per the clinic burn rate. The lead advises the chief of service and/or the assistant chief-Audiology of the consumable supply utilization trends as well as conduct and performance concerns related to technicians under his/her guidance. They will prepare consumable supply requests in VISTA for approval by the service chief or the administrative officer. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]