Summary

This position will be under the Physician Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMRS) Service at the HCC1 location. The clinical duties and responsibilities and administrative duties are carried out within HCC1. Note: Applicants who applied to previous announcement - need not apply.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• Audiologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• 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
• (2)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
• (3) 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
• Grandfathering Provision
• All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held - including positive education and licensure
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but previously met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: (1) Audiologists may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2) Audiologists who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• (3) Audiologists who are appointed temporarily prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (4) Audiologists initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard - must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for appointments at grade levels specified
• Audiologist - GS-11.(1) Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (2) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the basic requirements - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders
• (b) Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA
• (c) Ability to interact with patients - families and other health care professionals
• Audiologist - GS-12-In addition to the requirements at the GS-11 level - completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower grade level
• Licensure
• The incumbent must hold a full - current - and unrestricted license in a State - Territory - Commonwealth - or the District of Columbia
• (2) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level - the following KSAs are required:(a) Skill in determining nature - type and severity of hearing/communication /vestibular disorders
• (b) Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders (c) Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals
• (d) Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations
• Preferred Experience: N/A Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12 Physical Requirements: Required periods of sitting - bending - reaching - crouching - stooping - stretching - and lifting (under 15 pounds)
• light carrying (under 15 pounds)
• use of fingers and both hands required
• good vision with corrective glasses or contacts
• or hearing with aid
• Applicants must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others.

Duties

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See \"Additional Information\" below for details
• Work Schedule: 4/10s 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 PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized