Health Technician-Hearing Instrument Specialist

Job DescriptionSummary

This position is located in the Audiology Section, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the Salem VA Health Care System. The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The health technician supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology.

Qualifications 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
• Experience and Education
• (1) Experience
• Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists; OR (2) Education
• Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes coursework related to the field: hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology or other general healthcare areas
• NOTE: There is no combination of education and experience which can be substituted for the basic requirements
• Licensure or Registration
• Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a HIS in a state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia Grade Determinations: GS5: Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs (a) Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck
• (b) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines
• (c) Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email, creating spreadsheets and word processing
• (d) Ability to communicate orally and in writing (e) Ability to follow verbal and written instructions (f) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories Assignment
• Employees at this grade level serve in a Health Technician (HIS) entry level developmental position and work under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist
• Assignments associated with this level include, but are not limited to: performing non-diagnostic otoscopy including proper bracing techniques and making appropriate referrals for abnormalities and cerumen management; rechecking air-conduction pure tone threshold testing to assist the audiologist in modifying the treatment plan during hearing aid repair appointments; providing patient care in hearing aid repair appointments, consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan; completing visual and auditory checks with listening stethoscope of hearing aids prior to and following repair of device (troubleshoots performance); processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology; preparing and charging (if required) hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery; receiving devices and restoring settings of hearing aid/hearing assistive technology after repair or replacement from manufacturer, such as Denver Logistics Center (DLC); and maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies
• The Health Technician (HIS) adheres 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 (HIS) completes documentation per medical center policy for timeliness for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist
• The Health Technician (HIS) provides instruction to patients, family and staff on device topics including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology care, maintenance, use and operation
• The Health Technician (HIS) receives and completes incoming communications from Veterans (electronic and telephone), and facilitates follow-up based on audiologist's treatment plan to include ordering supplies through DLC
• GS6: Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy
• (b) Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software
• (c) Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices
• (d) Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use, to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection)
• (e) Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations
• (f) Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids, hearing assistive technology and patient care that is consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist
• (g) Ability to prepare patient, equipment, and/or environment for audiology procedures
• (h) Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests
• Assignment
• Employees at this level are at the full performance level and work under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist
• Assignments associated with this level include, but are not limited to: completing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories, as well as, alerting devices (troubleshoots performance); registering, certifying and tracking prosthetic devices (hearing aids, hearing aid accessories and assistive devices); and assisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures, including, but not limited to daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment
• The Health Technician (HIS) fabricates earmold impressions with proper otoscopy, orders earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC and fits and modifies earmolds, if necessary
• The Health Technician (HIS) provides patient care in hearing aid repair appointments consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan and provides counselling including, but not limited to realistic expectations, communication strategies and/or aural rehabilitation
• The Health Technician (HIS) maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems 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; and may maintain a loaner hearing aid inventory
• The Health Technician (HIS) assists patients with hearing aid connectivity including, but not limited to downloading applications (or apps), pairing devices in the app, Bluetooth ® pairing and pairing hearing aid accessories
• The Health Technician (HIS) assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency following the audiologist's plan of care
• Reference: See VA Handbook 5005-Part II, Appendix G73
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 6
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 6 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
Duties "DUTIES: Primary responsibility is for 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 incumbent 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.
The Health Technician (HIS) completes documentation per medical center policy for timeliness for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co signature by the audiologist.
The Health Technician (HIS) assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency, following the audiologist's plan of care.
Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions.
Communicates and treats customers in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.
Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.
The position requires the incumbent to possess or develop an understanding of the particular needs of these of patients in the age brackets of 18 years to 65+ years.
Sensitivity to the special needs of all patients in respect to age, developmental requirements, and culturally related factors must be consistently achieved.
Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy.
Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion.
Follows applicable regulations, instructions, and education regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, and all secure patient files.
Some travel required Work Schedule: 7:45AM-4:30PM Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"

---