Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Technician)

The Health Technician (HIS) supports the function of the clinical programs in the Audiology clinic. The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service with the primary responsibility being patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education. 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: Experience. Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists; OR 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 Health Technician, Hearing Instrument Specialist (HIS), in a state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia. Loss of Licensure or Registration. A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required licensure or registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. Board Certification: Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS). Exception for Non-Board Certified Health Technician (HIS). Non-board certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for appointment, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Health Technician (HIS) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B). Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist. Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained. Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, Health Technician (HIS) must actively pursue meeting requirements for board certification starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the Health Technician (HIS) with the written requirements for board certification, including the time (i.e., two years) by which the board certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming board certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain board certification during the two-year period may result in termination of employment. Loss of Certification. A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. English Language Proficiency: Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-05 - Health Technician (HIS). 1.) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. 2.) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck. Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines. Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email, creating spreadsheets and word processing. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions. Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories. GS-06 - Health Technician (HIS). 1.) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. 2.) 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. 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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: This position frequently requires light to moderate lifting. Normally such lifting will involve, but not be limited to, boxes/packages of hearing aids, and hearing equipment for patients. The majority of this position will involve sedentary work involving computers and communications. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 31, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be July 30,2026 with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties may include but are not limited to: Troubleshoot hearing aids. Repair hearing aids. Perform visual checks of hearing aids. Perform auditory checks of hearing aid function. Inspect and troubleshoot hearing assistive technology accessories. Evaluate and troubleshoot alerting devices related to hearing assistance. Fabricate earmold impressions using proper (non-diagnostic) otoscopy. Order earmolds based on audiologist plan of care. Fit earmolds for patients. Modify earmolds as necessary for patient comfort and effectiveness. Provide basic hearing aid information to patients and caregivers per treatment plan. Educate patients about realistic expectations for hearing aid use. Explain communication strategies to patients and caregivers. Provide aural rehabilitation information under supervision. Set up equipment for face-to-face audiology visits. Prepare equipment for telehealth audiology visits. Conduct daily biologic listening calibration on audiometric equipment. Calibrate real-ear measurement equipment. Assist patients with hearing aid connectivity and pairing. Help patients download hearing aid applications on devices. Assist with pairing hearing aids and Bluetooth devices/accessories. Ensure timely and accurate documentation in patient medical records. Enter electronic medical record notes per medical center policy. Code procedures in patient records for co-signature by supervising audiologist. Manage office supply inventory for the Audiology department. Track and manage loaner stock hearing aid inventory. Electronically order hearing aids and accessories. Verify hearing aid orders upon arrival for accuracy and completeness. Inspect new hearing aids and accessories upon receipt. Package and mail hearing aids and accessories when needed. Process ROES transactions, including certifying and issuing hearing aids. Enter hearing aid repair and replacement orders in ROES. Respond to routine patient inquiries about hearing aid-related issues. Determine the nature of patient hearing aid inquiries. Address administrative questions from patients and visitors. Assist patients and visitors requesting information about Audiology services. Manage infection control procedures for the Audiology clinic. Ensure patient safety regarding clinical supplies and equipment. Triaging phone calls and audiology requests for priority and urgency. Maintain clean and disinfected instruments, equipment, and work surfaces. Reprocess reusable medical equipment per facility policy and infection control standards. Maintain compliance with VA employee occupational health requirements. Protect sensitive patient data per VA and Federal policies and regulations. Use word processing and office automation software for documentation. Utilize Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VISTA). Access and use the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.