Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a)
• English Language Proficiency
• Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• Education
• (1) Doctor of Audiology (AUD) from an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) or Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• HR office staff and management officials may verify a program's accreditation from ACAE at acaeaccred.org and CAA at caa.asha.org
• OR (2) Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the USDE
• Licensure
• Individuals must hold a full - current and unrestricted license to practice audiology at the doctoral level in a United States state - territory - commonwealth or the District of Columbia
• Exception for Non-Licensed Audiologist
• (a) Non-Licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure - may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate audiologist at the GS-11 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)
• (b) Non-Licensed individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a fully licensed audiologists at or above the full performance level
• (c) Non-Licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-12 grade level until licensure is obtained
• (d) Temporary appointments of non-Licensed audiologists may not be extended beyond two years or be converted to a new temporary appointment Grade Determinations: Audiologist - GS-11
• (1) Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (2) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the basic requirements - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders
• (b) Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA
• (c) Ability to interact with patients - families - and other health care professionals Audiologist - GS-12
• (1) Experience
• In addition to the requirements at the GS-11 level - completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower grade level
• (2) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level - the following KSAs are required: (a) Skill in determining nature - type - and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders
• (b) Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders
• (c) Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals
• (d) Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://department.va.gov/employees/va-qualifications-standards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds) - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - able to see a computer screen - depth perception - ability to distinguish basic colors - and hearing (aid may be permitted)
• Environmental factors include working closely with others and working alone.

Duties

• This position has 1 vacancy that will support three areas: Anchorage - Soldotna - and Fairbanks
• The incumbent can be based at one of the three locations
• This position is located in the Rehabilitation Service at the Alaska VA Health Systems
• The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the clinic and at CBOCs including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service
• Identify and evaluate individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech - language - and other acoustic signals
• Evaluation includes identification of nature - type - and severity of hearing and balance disorders - past family and social history - record review - and consultation with family and other health care practitioners
• Administer the full range of tests including audiological evaluations - acoustic immittance - fitting of hearing aids and other prosthetic devices - special auditory tests - evoked potentials (ABR) - otoacoustic emissions (OAE) - testing of vestibular nerve function - and balance testing (VNG/rotary chair/posturography)
• Administer compensation and pension examinations including detailed past family - social - military - and occupational history and provide opinions on the relationship between conditions and military service when requested
• Provide remedial and preventative services including use of hearing aids - selection of hearing aids appropriate to severity of loss and abilities of patient (monaural/binaural/CROS/BiCROS) - recommendations for special ear molds when necessary due to severity of hearing Joss/allergies/other factors - recommend special instruments such as amplifiers for telephone/radio/TV or other personal listening devices - routine hearing aid inspection and repair - cerumen management
• Has knowledge of contemporary audiology practices and keep current with theory and practice through continuing education programs - journals - textbooks - other literature - and in-service programs
• Apply advanced theories - current literature - and techniques to special patient populations - provide professional advice and counseling - and provide consultation in specialized areas of audiology
• Exercise independent clinical judgement and adapt clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate needs - expectations - age-specific and unique patient conditions - and difficult and complex cases
• Consult with physicians and other health care practitioners related to diagnostic evaluation and treatment
• incumbent has advanced skill required for providing recommendations for evaluation and treatment of patients with vestibular pathology and all other audiologic related services
• Document in the medical record: evaluation - diagnosis and clinical opinion - treatment plans - outcomes of treatment - changes in functional status - and patient/family education
• Attend interdisciplinary team meetings - when necessary - participate with other health care professionals to address the global needs of the patient - advise on diagnosis and treatment
• Incumbent has skill set requiring knowledge of effects of TBI
• Recommend rehabilitation programs for patients with significant physical and psychological complicating conditions
• Design training plans to assist patients and caregivers in utilizing available hearing resources
• Assist in planning and coordinating the implementation of all audiology services to include consults - schedules - equipment - and computer-based activities within the audiological service
• Assist in training and orientation of new staff
• Assist in training and supervision of students - trainees - externs - and fellows
• provide feedback on progress toward established educational goals
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized