Summary This announcement is an Open Continuous Announcement and will remain open until all positions are filled. The first cut-off will be October 15 - 2025. Applications received after this will be sent to management upon request until the positions are fulfilled. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certificationlicensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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 Experience and Education 1 Experience Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists OR 2 Education Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes coursework related to the field hearing science - human anatomy and physiology - hearing instrument science - gerontology - psychology or other general healthcare areas NOTE There is no combination of education and experience which can be substituted for the basic requirements Licensure or Registration Individuals must hold a full - current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a HIS in a state - territory - commonwealth or the District of Columbia Board Certification Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences NBC-HIS Exception for Non-Board Certified Health Technician HIS a Non-board certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for appointment - may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Health Technician HIS under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405c2B b Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist VA Handbook 5005149 March 18 - 2022 Part II Appendix G73 II-G73-3 c Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promotedconverted until board certification is obtained d Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician HIS may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment Failure to Obtain Certification In all cases - Health Technician HIS must actively pursue meeting requirements for board certification starting from the date of their appointment At the time of appointment - the supervisor will provide the Health Technician HIS with the written requirements for board certification - including the time i.e. - two years by which the board certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming board certified by the deadline Failure to obtain board certification during the two-year period may result in termination of employment Loss of Certification A Health Technician HIS who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment e Foreign Education To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials Physical Requirements See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements English Language Proficiency Health Technician HIS candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403f Grade Determinations In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3 - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates Health Technician HIS - GS-05 Experience None beyond the basic requirements Knowledge - Skills and Abilities In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs a Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck b Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines c Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email - creating spreadsheets and word processing d Ability to communicate orally and in writing e Ability to follow verbal and written instructions f Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories Assignment Employees at this grade level serve in a Health Technician HIS entry level developmental position and work under the supervision and direction of a licensed audiologist Assignments associated with this level include - but are not limited to performing non-diagnostic otoscopy including proper bracing techniques and making appropriate referrals for abnormalities and cerumen management rechecking air-conduction pure tone threshold testing to assist the audiologist in modifying the treatment plan during hearing aid repair appointments providing patient care in hearing aid repair appointments - consistent with the audiologists treatment plan completing visual and auditory checks with listening stethoscope of hearing aids prior to and following repair of device troubleshoots performance processing incoming devices from patients with concerns related to their hearing aids or hearing assistive technology preparing and charging if required hearing aids and assistive devices for delivery receiving devices and restoring settings of hearing aidhearing assistive technology after repair or replacement from manufacturer - such as Denver Logistics Center DLC and maintaining proper levels of mailingshipping supplies The Health Technician HIS adheres to the audiology clinic policy and standard operating procedures for infection control and cleaning - sterilization and disposition of reusable medical equipment RME The Health Technician HIS completes documentation per medical center policy for timeliness for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist The Health Technician HIS provides instruction to patients - family and staff on device topics including but not limited to hearing aid and hearing assistive technology care - maintenance - use and operation The Health Technician HIS receives and completes incoming communications from Veterans electronic and telephone - and facilitates follow-up based on audiologists treatment plan to include ordering supplies through DLC Health Technician HIS - GS-06Experience One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade Knowledge - Skills and Abilities In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs a Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy b Knowledge of hearing aids - hearing assistive technology - hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software c Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices d Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use - to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion - removal and hygiene cleaning and disinfection e Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations f Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids - hearing assistive technology and patient care that is consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist g Ability to prepare patient - equipment - andor environment for audiology procedures h Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests Preferred Experience Experience with hearing aid repairs and hearing aid programming Familiarity with audiologic practices to include but not limited to non-diagnostic otoscopy Ability to perform visual and listening checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology Able to perform ear impressions and earmold modifications Able to accurately and effectively document all patient interactions in electronic medical records system. Duties This announcement is an Open Continuous Announcement and will remain open until all positions are filled The first cut-off will be 15 October 2025 Applications received after this will be sent to management upon request until the positions are fulfilled Direct patient care duties may include - but not limited to the following Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair Performing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories as well as alerting devices troubleshoots performance Fabricating earmold impressions with proper non-diagnostic otoscopy Ordering earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC and fitting and modifying earmolds - if necessary Providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers consistent with the audiologist&39s treatment plan - including but not limited to - realistic expectations - communication strategies - andor aural rehabilitation Assisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures including - but not limited to daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment Assisting patients with hearing aid connectivity including - but not limited to downloading applications or apps - pairing devices in the app - Bluetooth pairing - and pairing hearing aid accessories The incumbent is responsible for ensuring timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions via ROES The Health Technician HIS completes documentation per medical center policy for timeliness for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist Administrative duties may include - but not limited to the following Maintaining comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems to include monitoring stock of RME and consumable items Ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks Prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment regarding date of expiration and may maintain a loaner hearing aid inventory The Health Technician HIS assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency - following the audiologist&39s plan of care Work Schedule Monday - Friday 800am - 430pm Telework Not Available Virtual This is not a virtual position Functional Statement 000000 RelocationRecruitment Incentives Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station PCS Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report Not Required