This position is located within Audiology division of the PM&R Service at the Sheridan Wyoming VAHCS. The duties and responsibilities are carried out primarily in the Audiology Clinic at the Sheridan VA but may include telehealth and other coverage throughout the Sheridan CBOCs and other patient care areas involved with the service. The audiologist at this level plans, conducts, and coordinates all aspects of diagnostic evaluation and treatment of hearing impairment and/or balance disorders. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. English Language Proficiency: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: Doctor of Audiology (AuD) from an audiology program recognized by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The CAA is the only accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit entry-level audiology programs. HR office staff and management OR Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the USDE. Licensure: Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license to practice audiology at the doctoral level in a United States state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia. Non-licensed audiologists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate audiologist at the GS-11 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that these audiologists provide care only under the supervision of fully licensed audiologists. Individuals appointed as graduate audiologists may not be promoted to the GS-12 level without being fully licensed. The Under Secretary of Health, or designee, in VHA Central Office may waive the requirement for licensure under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 of a candidate who will be assigned to a research, academic or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. In such instances, HR office staff can only appoint these candidates in exceptional circumstances where their credentials demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area. All audiologists who perform compensation and pension examinations perform direct patient care duties and must possess a full, current and unrestricted license to practice audiology and must meet the experience requirements under Section 2. D. See 38 C.F.R. § 4.85. Failure to Obtain Licensure: In all cases, the graduate audiologists must actively pursue obtaining the required licensure from the date of their appointment. HR office staff will provide unlicensed audiologists with written requirements to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Written notices must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to obtain the required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment. Loss of Credential: In collaboration with HR office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation who fail to maintain the required licensure, which may also result in separation from employment. Grade Determinations: Audiologist, GS 11. Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders. Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA. Ability to interact with patients, families and other health care professionals. Audiologist, GS-12. Experience. In addition to the requirements at the GS-11 level, completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required: Skill in determining nature, type and severity of hearing/communication /vestibular disorders. Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals. Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations. References: VA Handbook 5005/152, Part II, Appendix G29 The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 11 to 12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["The audiologist at this level conducts, plans, and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary audiology practice. Clinical duties and responsibilities include direct patient care involving a full range of audiology and balance evaluation and treatment services, including the selection and fitting of hearing aids and other amplification systems and devices, aural (auditory) rehabilitation, and counseling of hearing-impaired veterans and their family. The incumbent identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech, language and other acoustic signals to a full range of patient complexity. Administers the full range of tests including the testing of vestibular nerve function; evaluates the type and degree of hearing loss for patients who may be unable to provide consistent and reliable reaction to diagnostics. The incumbent is responsible for planning, delivering, and monitoring the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative services for patients with significant physical and psychological complicating conditions; including, but not limited to, the selection and fitting of all types of hearing aids; programming of digital hearing aids; issuance of hearing protection devices for prevention of acoustic trauma for those individuals working in a noisy environment; selection and fitting of assistive devices and assistive listening devices such as personal and FM amplifiers, telephone amplifiers, radio or TV magnetic induction devices for special communication problems; and inspection, modification, and repair of amplification devices and ear molds. Incumbent plans, conducts, and coordinates auditory (aural) rehabilitation, tinnitus, and/or vestibular rehabilitation programs for patients; designs patient-centered treatment plans to assist patient and caregivers to maximize and restore to the greatest extent possible physical and social functioning; and designs, monitors, and conducts a comprehensive hearing conservation program for employees at risk for noise exposure. Incumbent serves as a consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases and is a recognized subject matter expert on matters related to hearing, tinnitus, and balance disorders. The audiologist works at the Sheridan VA Audiology clinic and but is also capable of delivering care using telehealth and working cooperatively with telecommunication technicians (TCT). The incumbent will remain current with new developments in audiology and will maintain professional competency by reading professional journals and engaging in continuing education activities and professional learning experiences and by communicating with other professionals in the profession and related professions. Communication is required by this position and the incumbent will be expected to attend regular staff meetings and inter-disciplinary health care team meeting as appropriate; review policies and procedures, and attend in-service training. The incumbent will be responsible for the proper maintenance and calibration of the specialized electro-acoustic instrumentation. The incumbent must have a considerable knowledge of the technical aspects of both the clinical instruments as well as the calibration instruments. The audiologist is also responsible for ordering and repairing hearing aids through ROES in accordance with the Independent Hearing Aid Program. The incumbent may also work closely with audiology technicians and telecommunications technologists in providing patient care. Although the audiologist does not supervise these positions the incumbent providers clinical direction and oversight of the work performed. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Compressed/Flexible: Available per supervisor's discretion. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 56974-O, 56975-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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