Audiologist

Summary

NOTE:

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. This position is located at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service. The audiologist at this level conducts a full range of audiology and balance evaluations and interventions - including fitting and selection of hearing aids and assistive devices - auditory rehabilitation - and counseling of veteran and families.

• Citizenship:
  Be a citizen of the United States English Language Proficiency
• Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education:
  
  (1) Doctor of Audiology (AUD) from an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) or Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• HR office staff and management officials may verify a program's accreditation from ACAE  and CAA a.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 U.S. Department of Education
• NOTE:
  
  Effective January 1 - 2007 - the CAA in Audiology and Speech
  - Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree or AUD programs in audiology
• 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
• (1) The Under Secretary of Health - or designee - may appoint a candidate without a license who will be assigned to a research - academic - or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities
• In such instances - HR office staff can only appoint these candidates in exceptional circumstances where their credentials demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area
• (2) All audiologists who perform compensation and pension examinations perform direct patient care duties and must possess a full - current - and unrestricted license to practice audiology and must meet the experience requirements under Section 2
• D
• See 38 C.F.R § 4.85
• Exception for Non-Licensed Audiologist
• (a) Non-Licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure - may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate audiologist at the GS-11 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)
• (b) Non-Licensed individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a fully licensed audiologists at or above the full performance level
• (c) Non-Licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-12 grade level until licensure is obtained
• (d) Temporary appointments of non-Licensed audiologists may not be extended beyond two years or be converted to a new temporary appointment
• Failure to Obtain Licensure
• In all cases - the graduate audiologists must actively pursue obtaining the required licensure from the date of their appointment
• HR office staff will provide unlicensed audiologists with written requirements to obtain licensure - the date by which the license must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline
• Written notices must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date
• Failure to obtain the required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment
• Loss of Credential
• Management officials - in collaboration with HR Office staff must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain the required licensure of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation which may also result in separation from employment
• HR Office staff must appoint audiologists according to the provisions in VA Handbook - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section B - paragraph 16 - who have - or have ever had - their licensure revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited or issued/placed in a probationary status
• Grandfathering Provision
• Employees in VHA in this occupation - under a permanent - appropriate - and legal placement on the…