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
• HTA, HTSLP or HTASLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403 (f)
• Experience and Education
• Experience
• Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled
• OR Education
• Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the position
• OR Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying
• An example of a combination of experience/education is three months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours related to the health care industry
• Foreign Education
• To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: GS-04 Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-05 Experience
• One year of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled
• OR Education
• Successful completion of four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in courses related to the position or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to the functions of the occupation
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
• In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck
• Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing
• Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies
• Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines
• Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories
• Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing
• GS-06 Experience
• Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled
• Demonstrated 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 physiology and function to educate patients and families
• Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software
• Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aid, hearing assistive technology and patient care, consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist
• Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures
• Ability to document and code patient procedures
• Preferred Experience: Can demonstrate at least some knowledge of hearing aids or working with the hearing impaired
• Physical Requirements: The duties of the position require periods of sitting, standing and walking
• Working with patients in PMRS and the pain clinic require regular sitting, bending and standing
• Patient transport occasionally requires the pushing of wheelchairs
• Work in front of a monitor/screen of 1 to 4 hours per day is required
• Some stressful situations may occur when communicating with patients and their families who may have multiple physical, mental and psychosocial problems and needs
• Lifting/carrying of light items is necessary
• The work requires above average agility and dexterity
• The work may require occasional heavy lifting of equipment or patients, within the technician 's capability
• It requires the ability to utilize an electronic charting system
• The incumbent must have the ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods
• There must also be a high degree of eye-hand coordination when working with the small components associated with hearing aids 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-04 to GS-06.