Lead Health Technician - Audiology
What you'd do
The Lead Health Technician - Audiology (HTA) carries additional responsibilities that involve the oversight of specific services within the audiology clinic. The Lead HTA will assist the audiology supervisor and/or staff audiologist with technician oversight duties including making work assignments, monitoring workflow, providing input on performance, resolving daily workplace issues and maintaining efficient flow of patient care.
Major duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Primary responsibility is for patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education, which do not require a full professional audiology education, or knowledge and skills represented by audiology licensure. Support functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties. In addition, the incumbent must be able to mentor and train new health technicians (Audiology). Major duties/functions include, but are not limited to: Greet and escort patients Triage patients for the audiologist based on complexity of the procedures being completed Patient set up for procedures (e.g., vestibular, neurodiagnostic procedures) Patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting Conduct hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation Perform non-diagnostic otoscopy Conduct cerumen management Take earmold impressions Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair Provide basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers Perform listening checks on hearing aids Electroacoustic analysis of devices Pair hearing aids and accessories via Bluetooth technology Program previously stored settings into hearing aids Activate remote controls Track loaner stock hearing aid inventory Process electronic orders; verify incoming shipments for completeness and function Package and mail hearing aids and/or accessories Process ROES transactions (e.g. certifying and issuing hearing aids/accessories, entering orders and repairs) Respond to routine patient inquiries and administrative questions (e.g. phone calls/Secure Messages); assist patients/visitors as needed Maintain infection control, patient safety, and clinical supply management (e.g. ordering supplies through ROES) Clean and disinfect instrumentation, equipment, and work surfaces. Assist the audiology supervisor/staff audiologist with technician oversight Make work assignments and monitor clinic workflow Provide input on staff performance and resolve daily workplace issues Maintain efficient patient care flow Train staff, health technicians, and/or students and trainees Provide input on advancement, promotion, and disciplinary actions for HTA staff Work Schedule: 7:00am-3:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
What you need to qualify
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. Experience and Education-(1) Experience. Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. OR (2) Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the position. OR (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. An example of a combination of experience/education is three months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours related to the health care industry. Certification. Certification by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) as a Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC) is required for the HTA, GS-08 assignment only. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). 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 Determinations: Lead HTA, GS-08 Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7)* directly related to the position being filled. *Examples of duties at the GS-7 level include, but are not limited to: completing adjustments to hearing aid settings as outlined in the audiologist's plan of care, preparing patients for advanced diagnostic procedures such as evoked potentials and collaborating with audiology team to develop training programs for patients and staff; Ability to mentor and train new HTAs; Ability to prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist, such as evoked potentials; Ability to develop and implement the technician role for a program in a focused area of audiology. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of organization theory and leadership theory. Ability to apply principles of leadership during interactions with staff. Ability to identify problems in clinic operations, consider possible solutions and implement actions approved by supervisor. Skill in communicating programmatic decisions to staff Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 8. Physical Requirements: Under VA Handbook 5019, candidates must be physically, cognitively, and emotionally fit to perform essential job duties.
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