Audiologist

Summary

This position is located in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr., VA Medical Center. The duties and responsibilities are carried out in the Veterans' homes, in Home Based Primary Care, at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr., VAMC, and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics including Jackson, TN, Jonesboro, AR, and Tupelo, MS.

Duties

The staff audiologist at this level is an independent licensed practitioner and 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. Major duties for the Audiologist position include but are not limited to: Identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech, language and other acoustic signals by way of face to face or virtual modalities. Autonomously selects and administers the full range of tests utilizing a variety of specialized audiologic assessment procedures (clinic protocol) in an attempt to provide audiometric information as to the organicity of hearing impairment, site of lesion, and/or other data of interest to referring medical staff. Counsels with the patient relative to the psychological/social problems that result from hearing loss, including the most difficult and complex cases in which the patient may have multiple diagnoses, making appropriate referrals for treatment of these problems when indicated and independent of supervisory assistance. Performs audiometric compensation/pension reports as prescribed by the VA and provides evaluation and interpretation of results in accordance with existing legislative and regulatory provisions. Writes reports and medical opinions in CAPRI. Performs advanced differential test procedures such as auditory brainstem response testing, acoustic reflexes, video nystagmography, cervical/ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, electrocochleography, and otoacoustic emissions in order to provide diagnostic information to referring physicians to assist in identifying various pathologies/etiologies. Performs regular biological calibration of equipment. Autonomously prescribes, selects and fits hearing aids, including those which utilize the newest technologies, as well as special assistive devices (ALD) which he/she deems necessary given the patient's hearing impairment and/or the complexity/severity of the patient's other diagnoses. Independently performs hearing aid evaluation, carrying out appropriate aural rehabilitation, counseling and patient education for patients and/or caregivers/family members when indicated by the evaluation, the fitting of the aid or its use by the veteran as well as completing the appropriate electroacoustic analysis of the hearing aids prior to issuance of the aid/aids. Completes real-ear testing in order verify appropriate fittings. Independently plans and administers aural rehabilitation programs for those patients needing special assistance in adjusting to amplification. Works with patient and family members to remediate communication problems. Autonomously evaluates/troubleshoots hearing aid problems whenever deemed necessary during evaluation of a patient and particularly during the Audiology Section's Hearing Aid Repair clinic. Performs necessary adjustments, in-house repairs/modifications as well as appropriately re-instructs patient regarding hearing aid care, use and realistic benefit from amplification. Conducts cerumen management/removal when necessary. Aids in opening mail-ins and assists with mail-outs when needed. Certifies repaired and new aids in ROES system in a timely manner. Assists health tech with hearing aid repairs when needed and sees hearing aid repairs when deemed necessary by Audiology Supervisor. Assists with reordering hearing aid supplies when a need is evident. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 am - 4:30pm) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51165-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: (1) Doctor of Audiology (AuD) from an audiology program recognized by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The CAA is the only accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit entry-level audiology programs. HR office staff and management officials may verify the program accredited from CAA at www.caa.asha.org. OR (2) Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the USDE. NOTE: Effective January 1, 2007, the CAA in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree or AuD programs in audiology. (Copy of Transcript with application is required) 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. (Copy of Licensure with application is required) 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: Audiologist, GS-12. (1) 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. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required: (a) Skill in determining nature, type, and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders. (b) Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders. (c) Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals. (d) 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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/.