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This position is located in the Audiology Section of Geriatrics and Extended Care Service at the John D. Dingell Veterans Administration Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan and/or the community based outpatient clinics (CBOC). The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The health technician supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology. 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). Experience and Education. (1) Experience: Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists; OR (2) Education: Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes coursework related to the field: hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology or other general healthcare areas. Licensure or Registration. Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a HIS in a state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia. Board Certification. Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS). Grade Determinations: Health Technician( HIS), GS-06 : (1)Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy. Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software. Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices. Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use, to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection). Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations. Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids, hearing assistive technology and patient care that is consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist. Ability to prepare patient, equipment, and/or environment for audiology procedures.. Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests. (3) Assignment: Employees at this level are at the full performance level and work under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments associated with this level include, but are not limited to: completing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories, as well as, alerting devices (troubleshoots performance); registering, certifying and tracking prosthetic devices (hearing aids, hearing aid accessories and assistive devices); and assisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures, including, but not limited to daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment. The Health Technician (HIS) fabricates earmold impressions with proper otoscopy, orders earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC and fits and modifies earmolds, if necessary. The Health Technician (HIS) provides patient care in hearing aid repair appointments consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan and provides counselling including, but not limited to realistic expectations, communication strategies and/or aural rehabilitation. The Health Technician (HIS) maintains a comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems 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; and may maintain a loaner hearing aid inventory. The Health Technician (HIS) assists patients with hearing aid connectivity including, but not limited to downloading applications (or apps), pairing devices in the app, Bluetooth ® pairing and pairing hearing aid accessories. The Health Technician (HIS) assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency following the audiologist's plan of care. Preferred Experience: Experience with hearing aid repairs and hearing aid programming. Familiarity with audiologic practices to include but not limited to non-diagnostic otoscopy. Ability to perform visual and listening checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology. Able to perform ear impressions and earmold modifications. References: VA Handbook 5005/149 March 18, 2022 Part II Appendix G73 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: The duties of the 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 occasional requires the pushing of wheelchairs. Work in front of a computer several hours per day is required. Some stressful situations may occur when communicating with patients and their families who may have multiple physical, mental and/or psychosocial problems and needs. ["Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair. Performing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories as well as alerting devices (troubleshoots performance). Registering, certifying and tracking prosthetic devices (hearing aids, hearing aid accessories and assistive devices). Fabricating earmold impressions with proper (non-diagnostic) otoscopy. Ordering earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC and fitting and modifying earmolds, if necessary Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan, including but not limited to realistic expectations, communication strategies, and/or aural rehabilitation. Assisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures including, but not limited to daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment. Assisting patients with hearing aid connectivity including, but not limited to downloading applications (or apps), pairing devices in the app, Bluetooth pairing, and pairing hearing aid accessories. Ensuring timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions via ROES. Completes documentation per medical center policy for timeliness for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for the supervising audiologist. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 07:30am- 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS917610 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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