Heath Technician; Hearing Instrument Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Service (ASPS) at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Mountain Home - TN. The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the ASPS service. The Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) [HIS] supports the function of the clinical programs in ASPS.

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.

• 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
• 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
• 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 (GS-5) 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
• 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:
  Health Technician (HIS) - GS-05
• Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Knowledge
  - Skills and Abilities
• 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
• Health Technician (HIS) - GS-06
• Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• Knowledge
  - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must…