This Audiology Health Technician is in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service of the Geriatric Rehabilitation and Extended Care Service Line (GREC) at the Roseburg VA Healthcare System, in VISN 20. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service, including inpatient acute, inpatient rehab, inpatient mental health, outpatient, urgent care, etc. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Experience and Education - 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 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 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-4 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. This is an entry level developmental position. The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist. The assignment of this position includes but is not limited to assisting the audiologist with patient assessment and treatment. The health technician must adhere to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning, sterilization, and disposition of reusable medical equipment (RME). The health technician maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking system to include monitoring stock of RME and consumable items; ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks; prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment with regard to date of expiration; maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies; preparing mailing and shipping requests for items including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology repairs, ear mold orders and return for credit items; and maintaining loaner hearing aid inventory. GS-5 (Developmental Level) Experience. One year of experience comparable to the next lower level (GS-5) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. OR Education. Successful completion of four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in courses related to the position or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to the functions of the occupation. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience or education requirements for this grade level, the candidate must full demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck. Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing. Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies. Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines. Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories. Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet, and word processing. Assignment. The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments associated with this position include but are not limited to answering and screening calls from patients regarding audiology needs; assisting the audiologist with patient assessment and treatment; assisting with walk-in appointments; processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology; and preparing and charging (if required) hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery. The health technician must adhere to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning, sterilization, and disposition of RME. The health technician maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking system to include: monitoring stock of RME and consumable items; ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks; prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment with regard to date of expiration; maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies; preparing mailing and shipping requests for items including but not limited to: hearing aid and hearing assistive technology repairs, ear mold orders and return for credit items; and maintaining loaner hearing aid inventory. GS-6 (Full Performance Level) Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs. Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy. Knowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families. Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software. Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aid, hearing assistive technology and patient care, consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist. Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures. Ability to document and code patient procedures. Assignment. The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments associated with this position include but are not limited to completing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology; repairing or returning hearing aids to the factory; restoring hearing aid or hearing assistive technology settings after repair or replacement; and ordering, registering, certifying, issuing, and tracking prosthetic devices. The health technician assists in setting up and delivering face to face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures. The health technician provides clinical procedures consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care which may include non-diagnostic otoscopy, cerumen management, foreign body removal and ear mold impressions and without interpretation, immittance screening and hearing screening. The health technician educates patients, family and staff on topics including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology care, maintenance, use and operation, hearing conservation and realistic expectations for hearing aid use. The health technician completes documentation for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist. Preferred Experience: 1yr Experience as a Health Technician Certified Audiologist Assistant in Amplification Certified Audiologist Assistant in Diagnostic Testing Audiology Assistants Certification (C-AA) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association References: VA Handbook 5005/98, Appendix G70, Health Technician (Audiology) Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, light carrying, under 15 pounds, use of fingers, walking 1-2 hours per day, standing 4 hours per day, periodic kneeling. Near vision correctable at 13' to 16' to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other and hearing (aid permitted). Perform CPR chest compressions (minimum 0.5 hours). ["The primary responsibility focuses on patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education, which do not require a full professional audiology education or knowledge and skills represented by audiology licensure. Support functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties.The Audiology Health Technician is responsible for ensuring timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions via ROES. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Greeting and escorting patients. Patient instruction and counseling on healing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting. Conducting hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation. Non-diagnostic otoscopy. Cerumen management. Taking earmold impressions. Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair. Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers. Performing listening checks on hearing aids. Electroacoustic analysis of devices. Pairing hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology. Programming previously stored settings into hearing aids. Activating remote controls. Managing office supplies. Tracking loaner stock hearing aid inventory. Electronic ordering, verifying orders upon arrival to ensure components are present and working correctly. Scheduling appointments. Packaging and mailing hearing aids and accessories. Processing ROES transactions (e.g., certifying and issuing hearing aids, entering orders and repairs). Responding to routing enquiries from patients, including determining nature of hearing aid inquiry and responding to administrative questions. Assisting patients, visitors, and others requesting information. Management of infection control, patient safety, and clinical supplies for the audiology clinic. Maintenance of clean, disinfected instrumentation, equipment, and work surfaces in the audiology clinic. Reprocessing reusable medical equipment based on facility policy according to Medical Center infection control procedures and reusable medical equipment policies. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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