Incumbent is a staff health technician-HIS under the supervision of a GS-12 staff audiologist or above. This position is located in the Audiology Service at Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care system (GCVHCS) in BILOXI MS or at one of the Outpatient Clinics (OPC) of the GCVHCS. The duties and responsibilities are to be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The health technician-HIS supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology. 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. 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 for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS). Exception for Non-Board Certified Health Technician (HIS) include: 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. Grade Determination: Health Technician (HIS), GS-05. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities GS-5. 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. Grade Determination: Health Technician (HIS), GS-06. Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities GS-6. 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. Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology request. Preferred Experience: Performing otoscopy, taking ear mold impressions, trouble shooting and minor repair of hearing aids/ear molds. Performing daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment. Setting up patients for testing and also for performing real ear measurements. Performing air conduction audiometry (without interpretation). Knowledge to educate on care and maintenance of hearing aids, accessories, pairing hearing aids with accessories and cell phone. Changing acoustic parameter information in NOAH, performing feedback tests, firmware updates on hearing aids, programming Loss and Damage hearing aid with previously programmed data and completing adjustments of hearing aids as outlined in Audiologist treatment plan of care. Computer literacy and electronic documentation, knowledge of ROES and CPRS, printing consult reports for audiologist to review. Knowledge on Inventory and supplies. References: VA Handbook 5005/149, G73, March 18, 2022. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: The duties of this position require periods of sitting, standing, walking, repeated bending (both legs required), light lifting / carrying (15-20 pounds) occasionally, the use of fingers (both hands required), and reaching above the shoulder area. Patient transport occasionally requires the pushing of wheelchairs. Rapid mental, muscular, and fine motor coordination simultaneously is required. Ability to distinguish basic colors, shades of colors and periods of long periods of reading from a monitor or computer screen (up to 8 hours). Ability to hear (hearing aid permitted). ["The duties of the Health Technician-Hearing Instrument Specialist include, but are not limited to the following: 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), Maintaining proper levels of mailing/shipping supplies. Adhering to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning, sterilization, and disposition of reusable medical equipment (RME). Completing documentation per medical center policy for timeliness for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: n/a Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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