Summary

This Audiologist position is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at the Orlando VA Healthcare System. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout Orlando VAHCS including all clinical and patient care areas involved with the service including future sites not specifically listed. This FLOAT position will conduct TeleHealth to clinic & home virtual appointments; and face to face clinical care. Primary duty station will be the main Lake Nona medical center.

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
• Must be a United States Citizen per 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)
• 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
• 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)
• 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: 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 KSAs required at the full performance level - the following KSAs are required: 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 Reference
• For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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
• Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• 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

• 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 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
• Clinical duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Conducts - plans - and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary audiology practice - including Telehealth
• 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
• The incumbent 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 and vestibular rehabilitation - evaluates the type and degree of hearing loss for patients who may be unable to provide consistent and reliable reactions 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 and associated technology
• programming of digital hearing aids and associated technology
• issuance of hearing protection devices for the 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 and 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 social 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 recognized as a subject matter expert on matters relating to hearing - tinnitus - and balance disorders
• Responsible for supervising - evaluating - mentoring - and precepting student trainees in audiology and maintained a liaison with affiliated colleges and universities
• He/she may also provide instructions to residents and interns who seek information in relation to audiology
• Complete all documentation in accordance with facility policy and is responsible for proper use - cleaning - and documentation of pertinent reusable medical equipment in accordance with medical center policies
• Will remain current with new developments in audiology and will maintain professional competency by reading professional journals and engaging in continuing education and professional learning experiences and by communicating with other professionals in the profession and related professions
• Will be responsible for the proper maintenance and calibration of the specialized electro-acoustic instrumentation
• The incumbent must have considerable knowledge of the technical aspects of both the clinical instruments as well as the calibration instruments
• Performs compensation and pension examinations including detailed past - family - social - military - and occupational history - comprehensive evaluation of type and severity of hearing loss - tinnitus evaluation - special auditory and vestibular tests - and opinions on the relationship between conditions and military service when requested
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc - Determined by service needs Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 80249F & 80155F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized to a highly qualified candidate