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The Health Technician (Audiology) (HTA) provides assistance to the audiologists in meeting the clinical needs of the patients served in the VA Iowa City Health Care System Audiology and Speech Pathology Service (ASPS) and reports to the Chief, ASPS. The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The HTA supports the function of the clinical programs in ASPS. 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. HTA, HTSLP or HTASLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Experience. Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled (Creditable Experience: To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills and abilities associated with current HTA, HTSLP or HTASLP practice. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or nonpaid employment as a health technician in the health care field). OR Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the position. (Transcripts Required) OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. An example of a combination of experience/education is three months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours related to the health care industry. (Transcripts Required) Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and 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, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-04 Requirements: None beyond the basic requirements. (Which are listed above) GS-05 Requirements: Experience. One year of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. OR Education. Successful completion of four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in courses related to the position or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to the functions of the occupation. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck. Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing. Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies. Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines. Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories. Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing. GS-6 Requirements Experience: Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience at/or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) directly related to the position being filled which includes, but not limited to: Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck; ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing; Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies; Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines; Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories; and Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy Knowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families. Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software. Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aid, hearing assistive technology and patient care, consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist. Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures. Ability to document and code patient procedures References: VA Handbook 5005/Part II G70The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-06. Preferred Experience: CAOHC certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (OHC)RME competency, cerumen removal. Physical Requirements: Light Lifting (under 15 pounds), Light Carrying (under 15 pounds), Reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, repeated bending, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination and simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid permitted) ["Major Duties: The HTA provides support in eight functional areas: patient education, patient care and hearing aid evaluation; hearing aid repair and programming and assistive listening device troubleshooting and repair; new hearing aid certification and tracking and earmold tracking; management of clinic supplies and equipment; clinic and patient data management; management of clinical infection control procedures; and, telehealth diagnostic and treatment encounters. Direct patient care responsibilities include but not limited to: Greeting and escorting patients; counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids on an individual basis or in a group setting; Conducting hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation; Taking earmold impressions; Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair; Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers; Performing listening checks on hearing aids; Electroacoustic analysis of devices; Pairing hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology; Programming previously stored settings into hearing aids; Activating remote controls.; and, other duties as assigned. Administrative duties include but not limited to: ordering and stocking of office supplies; tracking loaner stock hearing aid inventory; packaging and mailing hearing aids and accessories; Processing ROES transactions (e.g. certifying and issuing hearing aids, entering orders and repairs); Responding to routine inquiries from patients, including determining nature of hearing aid inquiry and responding to administrative questions; assisting patients, visitors, and others requesting information. The duties of the HTA require periods of sitting, standing and walking. Patient transport occasionally requires the pushing of wheelchairs. Occasionally a piece of equipment needs to be moved. Work in front of a CRT for 1-6 hours may be required. Some stressful situations are encountered when working with patients and caregivers who may have multiple needs and concerns. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday between 7:30am to 4:30pm (tour will be further discussed) 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 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required **Applications will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis until the closing date of this open continuous announcement, as long as vacancies exist.**"]

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