Career Center

This position is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at Palo Alto VA Health Care System; duty locations may be at Livermore, Menlo Park, San Jose or Monterey CA. Duties are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service. The audiologist plans, conducts, and coordinates all aspects of diagnostic evaluation and treatment of hearing impairment and/or balance disorders. 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: Master's degree or its equivalent in audiology or hearing science from an accredited college or university is required. ["Accredited" means a college or university accredited by a regional accreditation organization and an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) and/or the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).] License: For those grades that require licensure (GS-12 and above), [ ] the incumbent must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a 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). All audiologists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees [ ], may be reassigned, promoted [up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or (changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions]. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-12: In addition to the requirements at the GS-11 level, applicants must have 1 year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level and possession of a full, current and unrestricted license to practice audiology. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. a. Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies; b. Ability to conduct assessments and provide treatment interventions; c. Knowledge of clinical services, and the ability to perform them independently; d. Ability to provide consultation to other health care professionals; e. Knowledge of contemporary audiology practice; and f. Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G29 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The incumbent work is moderately. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs.); Straight Pulling, Pushing, reaching above shoulder, Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of color; Hearing aid (permitted). ["Conducts, plans, and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary audiology practice. Provides direct patient care involving a full range of audiology and balance evaluation and treatment services, including conducting medical-legal Compensation and Pension (C&P) examinations, the selection and fitting of hearing aids and other amplification systems and devices, aural (auditory) rehabilitation, and counseling of hearing-impaired veterans and their family. Identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech, language, and other acoustic signals to a full range of patient complexity. Administers the full range of tests (e.g. auditory evoked potential testing, central auditory processing testing, testing of vestibular nerve function, etc.); evaluates the type and degree of hearing loss for patients who may be unable to provide consistent and reliable reaction to diagnostics. Plans, delivers, and monitors the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of patient centered treatment and rehabilitative services for patients with significant physical and psychological complicating conditions. Plans, conducts, and coordinates auditory (aural) rehabilitation, tinnitus, and/or vestibular rehabilitation programs for patients; designs individual and group (as needed) patient-centered treatment plans to assist patient and caregivers to maximize and restore to the greatest extent possible physical and social functioning; and designs, monitors, and conducts a comprehensive hearing conservation program for employees at risk for noise exposure. Serves as a consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases and is a recognized subject matter expert on matters related to hearing, tinnitus, and balance disorders. Supervises, evaluates, mentors, and precepts student trainees in audiology and maintained a liaison with affiliated colleges and universities. Provides instruction to residents and interns who seek information relation to audiology. Completes all documentation in accordance with facility policy. Remains current with new developments in audiology and will maintain professional competency by reading professional journals and engaging in continuing education activities and professional learning experiences and by communicating with other professionals in the profession and related professions. Attends regular staff meetings and interdisciplinary health care team meeting as appropriate; review policies and procedures and attend in-service training. Work Schedule: Typically Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Audiologist/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]