Audiologist (Intermittent)

Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Location: Mishawaka
Posted on: June 18, 2022

Job Description:

Summary ** This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. ** This position is located within Audiology Service at VA Northern Indiana Health Care System. Incumbent is an advanced practice audiologist and is a licensed independent practitioner. The advanced practice audiologist conducts a full range of audiological evaluations. Responsibilities ** This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. ** We utilize Open Continuous announcements to accept applications in anticipation of vacancies. Extended announcements provide us a readily available source of applicants when vacancies do occur and are approved. If a vacancy does not occur for the location and grade for which you are qualified and apply, no further notification concerning the announcement will be provided. Duties include, but are not limited to: Apply advanced audiologic knowledge, theories, and techniques in the performance and interpretation of diagnostic and electrophysiologic tests to a full range of complex patient populations. Apply advanced clinical skills such as hearing conservation, advanced audiologic and electrophysiologic testing and interpretation, comprehensive tinnitus evaluation, treatment, advanced central auditory function assessment and treatment, assessment of patients with surgically-implanted bio-electric or cochlear implants, and analysis and fitting of advanced amplification technology involving acoustic signal processing algorithms. Conducts, plans, and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary audiology practices. Direct patient care involving a full range of audiology and evaluation services, including the selection and fitting of hearing aids and other amplification systems and devices, aural (auditory) rehabilitation, and counseling of hearing-impaired veterans and their families. Identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech, language and other acoustic signals to a full range of patient complexity. Administers the full range of tests including the type and degree of hearing loss for patients who may be unable to provide consistent and reliable reaction to diagnostics. Planning, delivering, and monitoring the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative services for patients with significant physical and psychological complicating conditions; including, but not limited to the selection and fitting of all types of hearing aids; programming of digital hearing aids; selection and fitting of assistive devices and assistive listening devices for special communication problems; and inspection, modification, and repair of amplification devices and ear molds. Plans, conducts, and coordinates auditory (aural) rehabilitation and tinnitus programs for patients; designs patient-centered treatment plans to assist patient and caregivers to maximize and restore to the greatest extent possible physical and social functioning; and designs, monitors, and conducts a comprehensive hearing conservation program for employees at risk for noise exposure. Responsible for the proper maintenance and calibration of the specialized electro-acoustic instrumentation. Provide orientation/training of medical staff. Participate in developing guidelines and protocols, new patient programs, and evaluation of existing programs. Maintains supplies, equipment, and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency. Serve on service-level committees or task forces or to represent the service/section on medical center, network, or national committees. Full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Work Schedule: Intermittent, as needed. Functional Statement #: 91177-0 Financial Disclosure: Not Required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. Education: Master's degree or its equivalent in audiology or hearing science from an accredited college or university is required. "Accredited" means a college or university accredited by a regional accreditation organization and an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) and/or the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). NOTE: Effective January 1, 2007, the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of ASHA [accredits] only doctoral degree programs in audiology or hearing science. Licensure: The incumbent must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 English Language Proficiency: Audiologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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 Requirements: Creditable Experience Knowledge of Contemporary Professional Audiology Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with contemporary professional audiology practice. This knowledge may be evidenced by one or more of the following: a. At least 1 year of active professional practice or its equivalent. Active professional practice means paid or non-paid employment as a professional audiologist engaged in the practice of audiology as defined by the appropriate licensing board. b. Academic course work leading to a doctoral degree in audiology or hearing science. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is both of the following: a. Work as a professional audiologist directly related to the position to be filled; and b. At a level comparable to audiology experience at the next lower grade level. Grade Determinations: GS-12 Licensure. The incumbent must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. Education and Experience. In addition to the requirements at the GS-11 level, completion of 1 year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level and possession of a full, current and unrestricted license to practice audiology. For positions involved in research audiology assignments involving no direct patient care, completion of a doctoral degree in audiology, hearing science, or a related field is fully qualifying. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs identified for the assignment. Assignments. Audiologists at this grade level are independent licensed practitioners and are considered to be at the full performance level. Employees may be appointed to one of the following assignments: Staff Audiologist. Staff audiologists at this grade level must demonstrate professional knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies of the practice of audiology to a wide range of populations. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial [(less that 25% of the time). The following KSAs are required: Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies; Knowledge of clinical services, and the ability to perform them independently; Ability to conduct assessments and provide treatment interventions; Ability to provide consultation to other health care professionals; Knowledge of contemporary audiology practice; and Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice. References: VA Handbook 5005/38, Part II, Appendix G29 08/24/2010. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the position would require frequent sitting, walking short distances, standing and bending. It requires fine motor skills and dexterity for working with hearing aids and equipment. This position requires the ability to see fine detail with best corrected vision. May require moderate lifting and carrying. Requires a large amount of personal interaction with patients and peers with strong interpersonal skills. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information PLEASE NOTE: This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2022. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. Applicant Expiration: Applicants will remain active for 3 months after their initial application is received and/or updated. After that time, you must update your application through your USAJobs account if you would like to be made active again for possible consideration during the open period. We utilize Open Continuous announcements to accept applications in anticipation of vacancies. Extended announcements provide us a readily available source of applicants when vacancies do occur and are approved. If a vacancy does not occur for the location and grade for which you are qualified and apply, no further notification concerning the announcement will be provided. Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

Keywords: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Mishawaka , Audiologist (Intermittent), Healthcare , Mishawaka, Indiana