Audiologist (Clinical Specialist) - Lexington, United States - Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Description

Summary This position is located in the Audiology Service within the Lexington VA Health Care System in Lexington, Kentucky.

The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service, including other audiology sights within the audiology service.

The Audiologist (Clinical Specialist) has special clinical program responsibilities in the area of Tele-Health.


Responsibilities Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

The Audiologist (Clinical Specialists) provides leadership and directs oversight in the design, development, implementation, planning and management of the specialty program, Tele-Audiology.

Serves as a coach or facilitator for an interdisciplinary team and is responsible for training all support staff and trainees as it relates to the specialty program (Tele-Audiology).

This individual serves as the SME in matters regarding the specialty program.

Exercises independent clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age-specific and unique patient conditions, needs, and expectations.

Plans, coordinates, and implements a full range of patient-focused treatment services designed to optimize function.

Evaluates patients to determine nature, type, and severity of hearing and balance disorders using a full range of diagnostic tests and techniques, past, family, and social history, record review, and consultation with family and other health care practitioners.

Provides hearing aid evaluations, assessments, selection, fitting, orientation, training, and follow-up services. Conducts verification measurements to determine function of hearing. Performs compensation and pension examinations, medical opinions, tinnitus evaluations, special auditory and vestibular tests. Demonstrates advanced knowledge in tele-audiology practice to provide oversight of this specialty program. Evaluates the specialty program to ensure deadlines and goals are met.

Coordinates initiatives and builds consensus among interdisciplinary team members:

Attends interdisciplinary team meetings; participates with other health care practitioners to address the global needs of the patient, advises on diagnosis and treatment.

Consults with physicians and other health care practitioners related to diagnostic evaluation and treatment. Monitors and reports on work progress in the specialty program to adjust workload and processes.

Serves as the SME and provide education relating to the specialty program:

Applies advanced theories and techniques to special patient populations, provide professional advice and counseling, and provide consultation in specialized areas of audiology.

In addition to clinical duties of an Audiologist (Clinical Specialist), incumbent has special clinical program responsibilities in the area of Tele-Audiology.

Incumbent also performs other duties as assigned.


Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday 7:30 a

m - 4:00 pm Telework:

ADHOC Virtual:
This is not a virtual position


Functional Statement #:

30488 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO):

Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP)

• See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications 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


Education:
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).

HR office staff and management officials may verify a program's accreditation from ACAE at and CAA at

• OR (2) Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the USDE.

NOTE:
Effective January 1, 2007, the CAA in Audiology and 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.

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:
GS-13 Audiologist (Clinical Specialist) (1) Experience.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, at least two years of experience as a professional audiologist, with at least one year comparable to the next lower grade level.

Examples of Specialized experience include, but are not limited to:

Coach or facilitate an interdisciplinary team and responsible for training all support staff and trainees as it relates to the specialty program (Tele-Audiology).

Demonstrates advanced knowledge in tele-audiology practice to provide oversight of this specialty program. Evaluates the specialty program to ensure deadlines and goals are met. Conducts verification measurements to determine function of hearing. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required:
(a) Advanced knowledge in a focused area of contemporary audiology practice to provide oversight of a specialty program. (b) Skill to evaluate the specialty program to ensure deadlines and goals are met. (c) Skill to coordinate initiatives and build consensus among interdisciplinary team members. (d) Ability to monitor and report on work progress in the specialty program to adjust workload and processes. (e) Ability to serve as the SME and provide education relating to the specialty program. (3) Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Audiologists (clinical specialists) provide leadership and direct oversight in the design, development, implementation, planning, and management of the specialty program. They serve as coaches or facilitators for the interdisciplinary team and are responsible for training all support staff and trainees as it relates to the specialty program. These individuals serve as the SME in matters regarding the specialty program.


References:
VA HANDBOOK 5005/167 PART II APPENDIX G29, Dated 3/18/2024 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods of sitting, bending, reaching, stooping, stretching and light lifting (under 15 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; repeated bending (.5 hours); near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; hearing with aid.

Applicants must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others.

Education IMPORTANT:
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education


Note:
Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

You can verify your education here:
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education


For further information, visit:
Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation)

Leave:

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive , VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy).

VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.

If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.