Qualifications

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.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency: Health Technician (HIS) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• 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
• 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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3, 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: 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, GS-05
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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 communication strategies for various listening situations
• Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids, hearing assistive technology and patient care that is consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist
• Ability to prepare patient, equipment, and/or environment for audiology procedures
• (h) Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-06
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.