The New Jersey VAHCS is currently recruiting for 1 Health Technician (Audiology) in East Orange, NJ. The Audiology Health Technician position is designed to provide assistance to the audiologists in meeting the clinical needs of the patient population served in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the NJVAHCS. The incumbent serves as a team member of the Audiology and Speech Pathology Section and provides health care support services. 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. Experience and Education: One year of experience in a health care field that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work such as but not limited to a medical or clinical assistant (or technician) or health technician. OR (2) Education. Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Examples are listed below:(a) Six months of experience in the health care field and two years of education above high school that included at least six semester hours in health care related courses such as, biological science, surgical technician courses, nursing assistant or other courses related to the position; or an associate's degree in a health care related field; or(b) Six months of experience in the health care field and successful completion of a course for health care technicians, hospital corpsmen, or medical service specialists given by the U.S. Armed Forces. Note: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. c. Certification. None 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, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Heath Technician (Audiology), GS-04 (1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Assignment. This is an entry level developmental position. Assignment. The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist. The assignment of this position includes but is not limited to assisting the audiologist with patient assessment and treatment. The health technician must adhere to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning, sterilization and disposition of reusable medical equipment (RME). The health technician maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking system to include monitoring stock of RME and consumable items; ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks; prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment with regard to date of expiration; maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies; preparing mailing and shipping requests for items including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology repairs, ear mold orders and return for credit items; and maintaining loaner hearing aid inventory. Heath Technician (Audiology), GS-05 (1) 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 (2) 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.(3) 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:(a) Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck.(b) Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing.(c) Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies.(d) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines.(e) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories.(f) Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing. Assignment. This is a developmental position. The HTA at this level works independently under the direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments associated with this position include, but are not limited to answering and screening calls from patients regarding audiology needs; assisting the audiologist with patient assessment and treatment; assisting with walk-in appointments; processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology; and preparing and charging (if required) hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery. The health technician must adhere to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning, sterilization and disposition of RME. The health technician maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking system to include: monitoring stock of RME and consumable items; ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks; prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment with regard to date of expiration; maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies; preparing mailing and shipping requests for items including but not limited to: hearing aid and hearing assistive technology repairs, ear mold orders and return for credit items; and maintaining loaner hearing aid inventory. Heath Technician (Audiology), GS-06 (1) Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy. (b) Knowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families. (c) Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software. (d) 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. (e) Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures. (f) Ability to document and code patient procedures. Physical Requirements: The duties of this position require periods of sitting, standing and walking. Working with patients in the clinic and on the wards requires regular sitting, bending and standing. Patient transport occasionally requires the pushing of wheelchairs. Work in front of a CRT of one-to-four hours per day is required. Some stressful situations may occur when communicating with patients and their families; the incumbent must possess the skills to work with a wide range of physically challenged veterans and their significant others who may be medically, physically, psychiatrically or emotionally impaired and displaying a non-compliant attitude. References: VA Handbook 5005/143 PART II APPENDIX G70 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-6. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. ["Major duties include, but are not limited to: Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair The incumbent is responsible for routine repairs of all hearing aids that may be delivered or mailed to the Audiology clinic. During clinic hours, s/he meets with veterans on a one-to-one basis to solve hearing aid problems. In this capacity, the incumbent provides primary level troubleshooting and repair for veterans who are experiencing hearing aid problems. The ability to succeed in this role requires effective communication with patients who have communication disorders. Services commonly provided by the technician include evaluation of the hearing aid's function and fit, changing of batteries, process removal of stuck batteries, replacing battery doors, cleaning of electrical contacts, removal of impacted cerumen from the hearing aid, replacing ear mold tubing, inspecting and replacing cords, and counseling the veteran in optimal use and proper methods of care for the instruments. The incumbent will operate tools and equipment that range from simple brushes to computer-operated systems. S/he must possess the ability to operate fine-handled tools in complicated and stressful situations as with an uncooperative patient. The equipment and purposes include but are not limited to the following: brushes, cloths and modified dental tools to examine, clean and repair hearing aids; chemical mixtures to repair hearing aid shells and produce impressions of the external ear, otoscope and video otoscope to inspect and demonstrate factors of the external ear; electronic and air-powered devices to test, clean and rejuvenate prosthetic devices and batteries; buffer-grinder and drilling power tools for the modification of hearing aid shells; hot air units for the purpose of bending plastic prosthetic devices; electro-acoustic and computerized hearing aid analyzer systems and/or real-ear systems for the measurement of hearing aid performance or defects. When it is necessary for a hearing aid to be returned to a VA contract manufacturer for repair, the incumbent prepares all the necessary paperwork and records, wraps the hearing aid, and ships it. The incumbent makes appropriate entries in the clinic's record tracking system in to order to ensure that the hearing aid is properly tracked during the repair. When the hearing aid is returned, the technician checks to ensure that it is operational. S/he then either mails the hearing aid to the veteran, or asks the clerk to schedule the veteran for an appointment, as appropriate. As part of the repair responsibility, the incumbent evaluates the operation of assistive listening devices(ALD's) to include FM systems, infrared systems, telephone amplifiers and their accessories. The technician determines if the ALD is working properly and performs routine repairs. Those ALD's that the incumbent determines cannot be repaired on site, s/he processes for repair or replacement. When the incumbent determines that the patient demonstrates skill or knowledge deficits, s/he provides specific training or patient education and documents as appropriate in the patient record. Local management of the national hearing aid program The management of stock and custom hearing aids, batteries, assistive listening devices and ear mold orders of on- and off-contract devices are the responsibility of this staff member. Remote Order/Entry System (ROES) entries, errors, certifications, and issues are managed by this staff member in partnership with coworkers. The technician is responsible for tracking hearing aid orders to insure they are received within mandated time frames. When it is determined that a hearing aid order may be delayed, s/he proactively makes appropriate contacts within and outside the Medical Center to insure that everything is done to avoid a delay in delivery. When the hearing aids are delivered to the clinic the incumbent is responsible for certifying the hearing aids and for checking the hearing aids to ensure that all ordered components are present and that the hearing aids are operational and ready to be issued. Hearing/hearing aid evaluations and patient education As part of the hearing aid fitting the incumbent instructs the patient in the proper use and care, as well as the rights and responsibilities, and safety measures for safe and effective use of the hearing aid and any assistive listening devices that are issued. The incumbent assists in preparing patients for specialized procedures including auditory brainstem testing, to include skin preparation and electrode resistance testing. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Audiology)/PD21W34A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
