Summary

This position is located in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Service at Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (Panama City - FL). The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service. The audiologist conducts audiological assessment to determine a patient's need for amplification - determine need for and type of aural rehabilitation and counseling of the hearing-impaired veteran.

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
• 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 Education
• The individual 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 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) 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
• (2) 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
• Exception for Non-Licensed Audiologist
• (a) 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
• (b) Non-Licensed individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a fully licensed audiologists at or above the full performance level
• (c) 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
• (d) Temporary appointments of non-Licensed audiologists may not be extended beyond two years or be converted to a new temporary appointment 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)
• 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
• Preferred Experience: At least two years experience in providing audiological services to adult and aging populations
• Knowledge of Veterans Affairs systems or similar data bases (i.e. - CPRS - ROES - Message Manager - Vista - etc)
• At least two years experience with selection - fitting - verification and care of various assistive listening devices
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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.

Duties

• Duties: Assess the degree and nature of hearing loss
• Identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech - language and other acoustic signals
• Administers the full range of tests including auditory evoked potentials - tinnitus - and balance assessment
• Evaluates the type and degree of hearing loss for patients who are normally unable to provide consistent an reliable reaction to diagnostics
• Recommends remedial measures to mitigate hearing loss
• Direct services of a remedial and sometimes preventative nature
• Develops treatment plans for most difficult and complex cases
• Recommends aural rehabilitation programs for patients with significant physical and psychological complicating conditions
• Designs training plans to assist patient and caregivers in utilizing available hearing resources
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm (subject to change based on the need of the facility) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:520-00382-F - 00383-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized