Health Technician; Hearing Instrument Specialist

The Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) position is assigned to the Audiology & Speech Language Pathology within the El Paso VA Health Care System (EPVAHCS). The primary responsibility is for patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/31/2026.

• 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
  • 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.
  • NOTE:
    
    There is no combination of education and experience which can be substituted for the basic requirements.
• 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).
  • Exception for Non-Board Certified Health Technician (HIS).
    • (a) 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).
    • (b) Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist.
    • (c) Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry-level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained.
    • (d) Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician(HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
• 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).

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).

Health Technician (HIS), GS-05.

Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

• (a) Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck.
• (b) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines.
• (c) Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email, creating spreadsheets and word processing.
• (d) Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• (e) Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• (f) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories.

Assignment.

Employees at this grade level serve in a Health Technician (HIS) entry level developmental position and work under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist. Assignments associated with this level include, but are not limited to: performing non-diagnostic otoscopy including proper bracing techniques and making appropriate referrals for abnormalities and cerumen management; rechecking air-conduction pure tone…