Career Center

Current, permanent VA employees or Federal employees from another agency should apply under CBST-11580516-22-AK. The Staff Audiologist conducts a full range of vestibular evaluations and audiological evaluations to determine the type and degree of hearing loss, determines patients' need for amplification, predicts, and measures the effectiveness of amplification, and determines need for and type of rehabilitation and counseling of veterans and their families. 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: Staff Audiologist must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. For those grades that require licensure (GS-12 and above), the incumbent must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. (1) The audiologist must maintain full, current, and unrestricted licensure/registration. (2) Non-licensed audiologists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate audiologist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c). Failure to obtain licensure during appointment as a graduate audiologist is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. Individuals appointed as graduate audiologists may not be promoted to the GS-12 level without being fully licensed. This may result in termination of employment. (3) The requirement for licensure may be waived by the Under Secretary for Health or designee in VHA Central Office for individuals engaged in research or academic assignments involving no direct patient care duties, in accordance with current activities. (4) An audiologist who has, or has ever had, his/her audiology license revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. (VA Handbook 5005/38, Part II Appendix G29, AUDIOLOGIST Qualification Standard.) Grade Determinations: *Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit.* Staff Audiologist, GS-09 Education and Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Staff Audiologist, GS-11 Education and Experience. Completion of 1 year of professional experience as an audiologist equivalent to the next lower level; or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree; or doctoral degree in audiology, hearing science, or a directly related field. For positions involved in research audiologist assignments involving no direct patient care, no additional education or professional experience is required beyond those identified at the GS-9 level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) identified for the assignment. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. - Knowledge of contemporary audiology practice; - Ability to communicate orally and in writing; - Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, acoustics, applied acoustics, communication, psychoacoustics, and auditory/vestibular pathophysiology; - Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders; - Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice; and - Ability to interact with patients, families, and other health care professionals. Staff Audiologist, 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. - 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. Preferred Experience: - Ability to self-aware and manage emotion during highly charged situation to de-escalate tension and conflict. - Ability to receive criticism and incorporate suggestion with a focus on improving work outcome. - Ability to delay judgement and first impression to fully explore suggestions and options. - Ability to prioritize daily clinical duties and additional assignments requested by the supervisor. - Ability to work independently and effectively in a team. - Ability to communicate effectively and repair communication break down with rare need for supervisor intervention. - Ability to remain flexible to accommodate new and changing work conditions and detail oriented References: VA Handbook 5005/38, Part II Appendix G29, AUDIOLOGIST Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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-9 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), stressful situations may occur when communicating with patients and families who may have physical, mental, and psychological problems and needs. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services). ["The duties of the Staff Audiologist in Audiology and Speech Pathology Service include but not limited to:\nPRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSBILITIES\nThe incumbent at this grade level demonstrates professional knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies in the practice of Audiology to young adult through geriatric population. The incumbent must demonstrate following knowledge, skills, and abilities during performance of clinical duties/functions: knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the auditory and vestibular system, acoustics, applied acoustics, psychoacoustics, human communication principles, auditory, vestibular, and balance disorders and pathophysiology; knowledge of contemporary audiology practice, principles and techniques in assessing and treating auditory and vestibular disorders; ability to interact with patients,\nfamilies, and other health care professionals courteously in person, in writing, and effectively via telehealth modality. The incumbent shall evaluate patients to determine nature, type, and severity of hearing disorders and tinnitus complaints using a full range of diagnostic tests and techniques, past and current medical history, record review, and in consultation with family and other health care practitioners. Engages in the differential diagnosis of the full range of hearing problems associated with (a) functional, (b) mixed, (c) conductive, (d) sensory, (e) neural, (f) sensorineural, and (g) central hearing loss. In diagnosing these problems, the incumbent conducts and interprets the complete range of specialized and refined audiologic test procedures currently available. Incumbent must demonstrate excellent skill in dealing with patients who present with (a) inconsistent behavior, (b) conflicting test results, and (c) multiple handicaps that inhibit the utilization of normal audiologic test procedures . Finally, the incumbent at this level shall also be flexible in performing new evaluation or rehabilitative services consistent with an audiologist's scope of practice that the medical center may offer to veterans in the future. For aural and vestibular rehabilitation, consistent with patient's needs, develops treatment plans and provide aural and vestibular rehabilitation. Aural rehabilitation is not limited to selection, fitting, and dispensing of hearing amplification and assistive devices and will include functional performance before and after intervention and verifies acoustic performance of hearing aids using electro-acoustic, real-ear, and functional measurements. Incumbent shall provide patient and age specific counseling on how to maximize the use of residual hearing and if necessary, develop other modes of communication, listening strategies, and treatment plans for the most difficult and complex cases in which communicative function has been impaired\ndue to an auditory or neurologic disorder and recommends a holistic audiologic rehabilitation plan for patients with other co-morbidities. Vestibular rehabilitation shall be patient, age, and function appropriate to include vestibular exercises and head positional maneuver and collaborates with other health care practitioners to address the global needs of patients experiencing dizziness or balance problem. May perform compensation and pension examination that includes detailed assessment of past and present noise exposure; comprehensive evaluation of type and severity of hearing loss and tinnitus; additional specialized auditory and vestibular tests when appropriate and provide opinion on the relationship between conditions and military service when requested. Upon credentialling and licensure verification as a Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP), the incumbent shall conduct auditory assessment that may include functional aspect of the audition, the results of which may be utilized in hearing impairment adjudication and for medical-legal purposes. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial. The incumbent may assist in maintaining supplies, equipment inventory, and calibration schedule of equipment to optimize operational need and efficiency. Incumbent shall perform additional tasks specified by the Service Chief of Audiology and Speech Pathology which may include treatment outcome data gathering, quality improvement project, service expansion, training and meeting attendance, interdisciplinary committee participation and other administrative duties as directed. Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm, Monday - Friday\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Staff Audiologist/PD00056F\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]