Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist)

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

Basic Requirements:

Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, non-citizen personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405, without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned.

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.

Loss of Licensure or Registration. A Health Technician (HIS) who fails to maintain the required licensure or registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.

Board Certification. Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS).

(1) Exception for Non-Board-Certified Health Technician (HIS).

1. 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. 7405(c)(2)(B).
2. Non-board-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist.
3. Non-board-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained.
4. Temporary appointments of non-board-certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

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. 7403(f).

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-5 (Entry Level)

Experience or Education. 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.

Health Technician (HIS), GS-6 (Full Performance Level)

Experience. 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, and/or environment for audiology procedures.
(h) Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology
requests.

References: VA Handbook 5005/149, Part II, Appendix G73, March 18, 2022.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-6.