Summary

This position is located at The Villages Outpatient Clinic - FL within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service for the North Florida/South Georgia VA Health System .The audiologist at this level conducts a full range of audiological evaluations to determine the type/degree of hearing loss - determines patients' need for amplification - predicts/measures the effectiveness of amplification - and determines need/type of aural rehabilitation and counseling of Veterans with hearing loss.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Education: Doctor of Audiology (AuD) from an audiology program recognized by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• The CAA is the only accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit entry-level audiology programs
• HR office staff and management officials may verify the program accredited from CAA at www.caa.asha.org
• OR Education: Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the USDE
• Licensure: 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
• NOTE: All audiologists who perform compensation and pension (C&P) examinations are considered to be performing direct patient care duties - and must possess a full - current - and unrestricted license to practice audiology (38 CFR 4.85)
• The audiologist must maintain full - current - and unrestricted licensure/registration
• An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame - or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment.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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for appointments at grade levels specified
• 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 basic requirements - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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
• References: Audiologist Qualification Standard - March 18 - 2024 (formerly VA Handbook 5005/152 Part II Appendix G29)
• Physical Requirements: This work is primarily sedentary but also requires some standing - walking - bending - lifting and carrying of items
• Physical effort and ability to perform repetitive motions with arms and requires good balance to prevent falling when assisting patients with an activity
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Duties

• An Audiologist in this full performance level is 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
• Audiologists diagnose audiologic disorders - conduct audiologic or neuro-audiologic assessments - treat auditory disorders through various modalities and provide adjunctive interventions for the treatment of medical disorders
• Audiologists consult with medical center staff on various patient care issues
• The Audiologist may be involved in program evaluation - teaching - training - and research activities
• Among the modalities provided are individual - family and group audiologic rehabilitation
• Major duties include - but not limited to: Performs functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) or the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• Assess and treat auditory and balance disorders
• Identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech - language - and other acoustic signals
• Responsible for direct services of a remedial and preventative nature
• Incumbent plans - conducts - and coordinates auditory (aural) rehabilitation - tinnitus and/or vestibular rehabilitation programs for patients
• Interacts with patients - families - and other health care professionals Incumbent serves as a consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases and is recognized as a subject matter expert on matters relating to hearing - tinnitus - and balance disorders
• Audiologist in this full performance level is licensed to practice independently in the provision of audio logic services - consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate
• Audiologists diagnose audiologic disorders - conduct audiologic or neuro­audiologic assessments - treat auditory disorders through various modalities and provide adjunctive interventions for the treatment of medical disorders Identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech - language - and other acoustic signals
• Responsible for direct services of a remedial and preventative nature
• Uses a wide range of knowledge of - and skill in applying - a wide range theories - principles - and methodologies in the practice of audiology to a wide range of populations
• Develops coherent treatment strategies
• Knowledge of clinical services and the ability to perform them independently
• Conducts assessments - provides treatment interventions
• Provides consultation to other health care professionals
• Has knowledge of contemporary audiology practice
• Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology practice
• Advises staff on knowledge and theory through staff meetings and grand rounds to ensure continuity and quality of diagnostic work
• Monitors and tracks the program for quality assurance purposes
• Demonstrates leadership in defining and attending to professional practice issues as they relate to the specialty program
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor
• The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs)
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required