Audiologist

This position is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at the Washington DC VA Medical Center - a tertiary care facility with 158 acute beds - 13 intermediate beds - and a 120 Nursing Home Care Unit - six Community Based Outpatient Clinics - and a Level II Polytrauma Center. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service including the Fort Belvoir VA Clinic.

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.

• Citizenship
• All applicants are required to be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g.) 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)
• OR (2) Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• NOTE: Effective January 1 - 2007 - the CAA in Audiology and 3 Speech- Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree or AUD programs in audiology
• 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
• (1) The Under Secretary of Health - or designee - may appoint a candidate without a license who will be assigned to a research - academic - or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities
• In such instances - HR office staff can only appoint these candidates in exceptional circumstances where their credentials demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area
• (2) All audiologists who perform compensation and pension examinations perform direct patient care duties and must possess a full - current - and unrestricted license to practice audiology and must meet the experience requirements under Section 2
• D
• See 38 C.F.R
• ? 4.85
• 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
• Failure to Obtain Licensure
• In all cases - the graduate audiologists must actively pursue obtaining the required licensure from the date of their appointment
• HR office staff will provide unlicensed audiologists with written requirements to obtain licensure - the date by which the license must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline
• Written notices must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date
• Failure to obtain the required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment
• Loss of Credential
• Management officials - in collaboration with HR Office staff must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain the required licensure of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation which may also result in separation from employment
• HR Office staff must appoint audiologists according to the provisions in VA Handbook - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section B - paragraph 16 - who have - or have ever had - their licensure revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited or issued/placed in a probationary status
• Foreign Education
• To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• Such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs Physical Requirements
• The incumbent will be required to walk patient from the waiting room to exam room - stand while performing audiology testing as needed - carry small packages (1 to 2 lbs.) - have near vision correctable at 13" to 16" - and have functional hearing (aid permitted)
• English Language Proficiency
• All applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• 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
• (3) Assignment
• Employees at this grade level serve in audiologist entry-level developmental positions
• Audiologists perform audiology assessment and treatment intervention - exercise clinical judgment - adapt clinical procedures and techniques - and document in the medical record appropriate information related to patient care
• NOTE: Applicants must demonstrate above requirements in their application and supporting documentation
• 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
• (3) Assignment
• This is the full performance level for staff audiologists
• At this level - audiologists are licensed to practice independently in the provision of audiologic services - consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate
• Audiologists serve as consultants to other health care professionals and are recognized subject matter experts (SME) on matters related to hearing - tinnitus - and balance disorders
• The supervisor may assign staff audiologists to any VHA program and setting - such as inpatient or outpatient medicine - primary care - surgery - hearing health - neurology - rehabilitation medicine - geriatrics - compensation - and pension
• Audiologists diagnose audiologic disorders - conduct audiologic - or neuro-audiologic assessments
• treat auditory disorders through various modalities
• and provide adjunctive interventions for the treatment of medical disorders
• Audiologists consult with medical center staff on various patient care issues
• Staff audiologists may be involved in program evaluation - teaching - training - and research activities
• Among the modalities provided are individual - family - and group audiologic rehabilitation
• NOTE: Applicants must demonstrate above requirements in their application and supporting documentation
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• .

• The audiologist conducts - plans - and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary audiology practice
• Clinical duties and responsibilities include direct patient care involving a full range of audiology and balance evaluation and treatment 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 family
• 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 testing of vestibular nerve function
• evaluates the type and degree of hearing loss for patients who may be unable to provide consistent and reliable reaction to diagnostics
• Responsible for 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
• issuance of hearing protection devices for prevention of acoustic trauma for those individuals working in a noisy environment
• selection and fitting of assistive devices and assistive listening devices such as personal and FM amplifiers - telephone amplifiers - radio or TV magnetic induction devices for special communication problems
• and inspection - modification - and repair of amplification devices and ear molds
• Plans - conducts - and coordinates auditory (aural) rehabilitation - tinnitus - and/or vestibular rehabilitation 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
• Serves as a consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases and is a recognized subject matter expert on matters related to hearing - tinnitus - and balance disorders
• Responsible for supervising - evaluating - mentoring - and precepting student trainees in audiology and maintained a liaison with affiliated colleges and universities
• May also provide instruction to residents and interns who seek information relation to audiology
• Complete all documentation in accordance with facility policy
• Remain current with new developments in audiology and will maintain professional competency by reading professional journals and engaging in continuing education activities and professional learning experiences and by communicating with other professionals in the profession and related professions
• Communication is required by this position and the incumbent will be expected to attend regular staff meetings and inter-disciplinary health care team meeting as appropriate
• review policies and procedures - and attend in-service training
• Responsible for the proper maintenance and calibration of the specialized electro-acoustic instrumentation
• Knowledge of the technical aspects of both the clinical instruments as well as the calibration instruments
• Participate in research activities pertinent to clinical audiology
• Although limited research is conducted in the clinical setting - the use of carefully executed audiologic procedures may be a part of a research design
• Assist in gathering clinical research data
• May perform ancillary assignments - including program management duties on an occasional basis - where the complexity and amount of the work is not substantial
• Work Schedule: Full-time - Monday to Friday - 07:30am - 04:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized