Health Technician; Hearing Instruction Specialist

NOTE:

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. The Health Technician - Hearing Instrument Specialist (HIS) - position is located in the Audiology Service at the Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) located in Gaylord or Indian River affiliated with Aleda

E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw - Michigan.

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
• Licensure or Registration:
  Individuals must hold a full - current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a Health Technician - Hearing Instrument Specialist (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 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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations:
  In addition to the basic requirements outlined above - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Health Technician (HIS) - GS-05
• Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Knowledge
  - Skills and Abilities
  
  (KSAs)
• 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
  
  (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 assisting patient with hearing aid insertion - removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection)
• Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and…