Summary

The Audiologist at this level plans, conducts, and coordinates all aspects of diagnostic evaluation and treatment of hearing impairment and/or balance disorders. The incumbent at this grade level must demonstrate professional knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies of the practice of audiology to a wide range of populations. The incumbent is an independent licensed practitioner and is supervised by the Chief of 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
• 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 Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) or Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• HR office staff and management officials may verify a program's accreditation from ACAE at acaeaccred.org and CAA at caa.asha.org.
• OR 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
• 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
• 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
• The Under Secretary of Health, or designee, may appoint a candidate without a license 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
• Exception for Non-Licensed Audiologist
• Non-Licensed applicants 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)
• Non-Licensed individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a fully licensed audiologists at or above the full performance level
• Non-Licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-12 grade level until licensure is obtained
• Temporary appointments of non-Licensed audiologists may not be extended beyond two years or be converted to a new temporary appointment
• 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
• 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: 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 basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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 Effective Date March 18,2024
• 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 Requirements: The work involves long periods of moving about the work unit
• The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting, and repositioning and transferring patients
• Incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders and patients who require restraints
• The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy, and concern
• Must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action in using initiative to prevent accidents.

Duties

• DUTIES 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
• 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
• 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
• 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 functioning
• and designs, monitors, and conducts a comprehensive hearing conservation program for employees at risk for noise exposure
• 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 can deliver care using telehealth and working cooperatively with tele-communication technicians (TCT)
• Remains 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
• Responsible for the proper maintenance and calibration of the specialized electro-acoustic instrumentation
• Must have a considerable knowledge of the technical aspects of both the clinical instruments as well as the calibration instruments
• Responsible for ordering and repairing hearing aids through ROES in accordance with the Independent Hearing Aid Program
• Work closely with audiology technicians and telecommunications technologists in providing patient care
• As an independent practitioner, the employee is responsible for planning and carrying out the assignment independently, resolving most of the conflicts that arise, coordinating the work with others as necessary, and interpreting policy on own initiative in terms of established objectives
• Keeps the supervisor informed of progress and potentially controversial matters
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 54025-A / 54026-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required