audiologist - Lakeland, FL , USA, United States - Department of Veterans Affairs

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    Description
    Summary


    The position is located at the Lakeland Community Based Outpatient Clinic with coverage to other clinics within Corporate Tampa Audiology when workload dictates.

    The staff audiologist conducts a full range of audiological evaluations to determine the type and degree of hearing loss, determines patients' need for amplification, predicts & measures the effectiveness of amplification, and determines need for & type of rehabilitation & counseling of Veterans with hearing loss & their families.

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    Overview


    • Accepting applications
    • Open & closing dates
    04/12/2024 to 04/20/2024


    • Salary
    $72,553 - $113,047 per year


    • Pay scale & grade
    GS 00


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    Location

    1 vacancy in the following location:

    • Lakeland, FL
    • Remote job
    No


    • Telework eligible
    Yes-as determined by the agency policy.


    • Travel Required
    Not required


    • Relocation expenses reimbursed
    No


    • Appointment type
    Permanent -* Work schedule

    Full-time -* Service

    Excepted


    • Promotion potential
    12


    • Job family (Series)
    0665 Speech Pathology And Audiology


    • Supervisory status
    No


    • Security clearance
    Other


    • Drug test
    No


    • Position sensitivity and risk
    Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk


    • Trust determination process
    Credentialing

    Suitability/Fitness


    • Announcement number

    CBTC TE

    • Control number
    Help

    This job is open to


    • Internal to an agency
    Current federal employees of this agency.

    Clarification from the agency

    This announcement is open to current, permanent, employees of the James A. Haley Veteran's Hospital, it's CBOC's and to current/past/upcoming VHA Health Professions Trainee (HPT) Graduates.

    An HPT may be VA-paid, Without Compensation (WOC), or a participant of the VA Health Professional Scholarship Program that has been appointed to a temporary position in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experience to satisfy program or degree requirements.

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    Duties

    This position is within in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at James A. Haley VA.

    This position will be located at the Lakeland Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) with coverage to other Corporate Tampa Audiology Clinics when workload dictates.

    The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center and clinics including patient care areas involved with the service.

    Incumbent is a staff audiologist.

    The staff audiologist conducts a full range of 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 with hearing loss and their families.


    Other duties include, but are not limited to:

    • Counsel Veterans and their families, and other persons responsible for his/her care, about the nature, degree, and effect of hearing impairment and treatment options.
    • Provides a comprehensive program of aural (auditory) rehabilitation for hearing-impaired patients. Such programs may consist of instruction in the effective use of amplification, listening strategies, and optimizing residual hearing.
    • Adheres to infection control practices while using equipment and providing patient care.
    • Utilizes proper maintenance and calibration of the specialized electro-acoustic instrumentation.
    • Participates in developing guidelines and protocols, new patient programs, and evaluation of existing programs.
    • Performs ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial
    • Performs VISTA scheduling in conformance with VHA guidelines.
    Work Schedule: 7:30a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday


    Compressed/Flexible:
    Not Available


    Telework:
    Authorized; Adhoc

    Functional Statement #: 70176F


    Virtual:
    This is not a virtual position.


    Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
    Not Authorized

    Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized


    Financial Disclosure Report:
    Not required

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    Requirements

    Conditions of Employment


    • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
    • 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.
    • 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:
    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(a).

    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


    • Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

    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.


    • Non-licensed audiologists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate audiologist at the GS-11 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that these audiologists provide care only under the supervision of fully licensed audiologists. Individuals appointed as graduate audiologists may not be promoted to the GS-12 level without being fully licensed.
    • The Under Secretary of Health, or designee, may appoint a candidate without a license who will be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. In such instances, HR office staff can only appoint these candidates in exceptional circumstances where their credentials demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.
    • All audiologists who perform compensation and pension examinations perform direct patient care duties and must possess a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice audiology and must meet the experience requirements under Section 2. D. See 38 C.F.R. § 4.85.
    Failure to Obtain Licensure. In all cases, the graduate audiologists must actively pursue obtaining the required licensure from the date of their appointment.

    HR office staff will provide unlicensed audiologists with written requirements to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline.

    Written notices must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to obtain the required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment.

    Loss of Credential.

    In collaboration with HR office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation who fail to maintain the required licensure, which may also result in separation from employment.

    Grandfathering Provision.

    All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure.

    Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.

    Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

    English Language Proficiency. Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

    Grade Determinations:

    In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for appointments at grade levels specified.

    Audiologist, GS-11

    Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

    Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

    In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:


    • 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 as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA.
    • Ability to interact with patients, families, and other health care professionals.
    Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve in audiologist entry-level developmental positions.

    Audiologists perform audiology assessment and treatment intervention, exercise clinical judgment, adapt clinical procedures and techniques, and document in the medical record appropriate information related to patient care.

    Audiologist, GS-12

    Experience.

    In addition to the requirements at the GS-11 level, completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower grade level.

    Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

    In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required:


    • Skill in determining nature, type, and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders.
    • Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders
    • Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals.
    • Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations.
    Assignment. This is the full performance level for staff audiologists.

    At this level, Audiologists are licensed to practice independently in the provision of audiologic services, consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate.

    Audiologists serve as consultants to other health care professionals and are recognized subject matter experts (SME) on matters related to hearing, tinnitus, and balance disorders.


    References:
    VA Handbook 5005/167, Part II, Appendix G29, Audiologist Qualification Standard, dated 3/18/2024.

    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-11 to GS-12.


    Physical Requirements:
    See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

    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

    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.

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    • Benefits
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    A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

    As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

    Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

    Review our benefits


    Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

    Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

    How You Will Be Evaluated

    You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

    IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.


    Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

    Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

    You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.


    The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.


    It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.


    Veterans and Transitioning Service Members:

    Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.