Health Technician-Hearing Instrument Specialist

Summary

The VA Heartland Network is currently recruiting for one Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) at each facility within the network:
Leavenworth - KS, Topeka - KS, Marion - IL (Evansville - IN CBOC), Wichita - KS, Columbia - MO, Kansas City - MO, Poplar Bluff - MO (West Plains CBOC), Saint Louis - MO.

• United States 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
• (1) Experience
• Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists
• OR (2) 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
• (1) 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)
• Exceptions 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
• 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
• Language Proficiency
• Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations:
  Health Technician-HIS Grade 5:
  
  Experience:
  
  None beyond the basic requirements
• Knowledge
  
  - Skills and Abilities
  
  (KSAs):
  In addition to the basic requirements above - applicants must demonstrate the following Knowledge
  
  - Skills and Abilities
  
  (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
• Grade 6:
  
  Experience:
  
  One year equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-5)
• Experience may include but is 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 threshold testing to assist the audiologist in modifying the treatment plan during hearing aid repair appointments
• Providing patient care in hearing aid repair appointments - consistent with the audiologist's treatment plan
• Completing visual and auditory checks with listening stethoscope of hearing aids prior to and following repair of device (troubleshoots performance)
• Processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology
• Preparing and charging (if required) hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery
• Receiving devices and restoring settings of hearing aid/hearing assistive technology after repair or replacement from manufacturer - such as Denver Logistics Center (DLC)
• And maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies
• The Health Technician (HIS) adheres to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning - sterilization and disposition of reusable medical equipment (RME)
• Knowledge
  
  - Skills and Abilities
  
  (KSAs):
  In addition to the experience above - applicants must demonstrate the following Knowledge
  
  - Skills and Abilities
  
  (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…