The Audiologist will report to the Audiology and Speech Pathology service at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport, LA. 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. NOTE: This applies to current/past/upcoming VHA HPTs only. An HPT is an individual appointed to a temporary position in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experiences to satisfy program or degree requirements or receiving VA Health Professional Scholarship Program. HPTs can be either VA-paid or Without Compensation (WOC). 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. Education. (1) 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 officials may verify the program accredited from CAA at www.caa.asha.org. OR (2) Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the USDE. NOTE: Effective January 1, 2007, the CAA in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree or AuD programs in audiology. 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. (1) 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. 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. Grandfathering Provision. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Grade Determinations: 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 Preferred Experience: ASHA certification required for supervision of trainees Experience with hearing aid evaluation and fitting, assistive listening devices, and aural rehabilitation References: VA Handbook 5005/152 September 22, 2022 Part II Appendix G29 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15lbs.), Light Carrying (under 15 lbs.), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking, standing, hearing (Aid Permitted) ["The Audiologist is responsible for the full range of professional audiology services with emphasis on the more complex evaluative and diagnostic cases. Responsible for case mix such that at least half of the patients seen by the incumbent for audiological evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment present with physical and/or emotional problems in addition to hearing impairment and characteristics of those patients seen by the incumbent might include: psychological and emotional disturbances resulting from schizophrenia, dementia, organic brain syndrome, physical limitations such as blindness and paralysis, other CNS disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, speech and language disorders such as dysarthria, receptive and expressive aphasia, dysphagia and the broad spectrum of problems found in the geriatric population. Duties include but not limited to: Measures hearing sensitivity using routine and special tests. Writes reports that interpret results and provides them regarding their hearing loss and their options for rehabilitation. Discusses results with veterans and counsels them regarding their hearing loss and their options for rehabilitation. Discusses results with referring physician and/or other hospital staff and explains implications of test results when necessary. Performs hearing aid evaluations on eligible veterans. Selects hearing aids to be used for evaluation, follows standard procedures to determine adequacy of hearing aid fitting, determines which aid is to be issued to veteran, counsels veterans regarding use and maintenance of hearing aids. Administers, interprets and supervises the administration of electrophysiology examinations such as electronystagmography and auditory evoked response tests. Discusses with and explains results to the veteran and the physician or referral source as appropriate. Plans, conducts, and coordinates tinnitus programs for patients using current practices. Design patient-centered treatment plans to assist patient and caregivers to maximize and restore to the greatest extent possible physical and social functioning Provides aural rehabilitation services to eligible veterans. Teaches communication strategies to veterans, family members and care givers. For veterans with hearing aids, provides hearing aid or orientation which may include, but is not restricted to, auditory training, teaching lip reading fundamentals, teaching placement of earmold in ear, and teaching use and care of the hearing aid. Aural rehabilitation counseling may be provided to family members or significant others if indicated. Counsels veterans regarding their hearing loss and the options available for rehabilitation. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Available - as needed, per supervisory discretion. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 667-00058-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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