This position is in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (Hot Springs, AR). The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center and outpatient clinics including all clinical and 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. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education. Individuals must have earned: (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 U.S. Department of Education. 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 the 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) 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. 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. 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:(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. 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:(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. References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards Preferred Experience: ASPS is seeking the best qualified audiologist with preferred experience: 1. In the VA system (could be a student/trainee) 2. In a medical setting 3. Has VNG training 4. Providing audiology services via telehealth 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-11 to GS-12. Physical Demands: May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. ["Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under CBST-12603679-25-JW. Major Duties include, but are limited to: Principal Duties and Responsibilities: In carrying out the clinical duties and responsibilities of this position, the incumbent: a. Demonstrates skill in determining nature, type, and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders. b. Demonstrates skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders. c. Demonstrates ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals. d. Demonstrates ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations. EDUCATION: a. Provides orientation/training of medical staff b. Assists in orientation and training of new staff c. Assists in the training and supervision of students, trainees, externs, and fellows, providing feedback on progress toward established educational goals. d. Keeps current with theory and practice through continuing education programs, journals, textbooks, and other literature and in-service programs. e. Provides patient and family education including informed consent. ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES: a. Participates in developing guidelines and protocols, new patient programs, and evaluation of existing programs b. Maintains patient records and other data required by the clinic, Service, and Medical Center with timely completion of all clinical documentation. c. Maintains supplies, equipment, and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency d. May be requested to serve on service-level committees or task forces or to represent a service/section on a medical center, network, or national committee. e. May perform ancillary assignments including program management duties on a regular or occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial. f. Follows applicable informed consent, HIPAA rules on privacy and protecting patient rights Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, subject to change based on needs of the facility. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 598-00365-F, 598-00366-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.