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This position is located in the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Service at the Columbus VA ACC. The duties and responsibilities are carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Audiology service. The health technician supports the function of the clinical programs in Audiology. 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. Experience and Education. Experience. Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled; OR, Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the position; OR, Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. An example of a combination of experience/education is three months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours related to the health care industry. 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). GS-07 Grade Determinations: Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. In addition, incumbent must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities; a. ability to mentor and train new HTAs; b. ability to prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist, such as evoked potentials, c. ability to develop and implement the technician role for a program in a focused area of audiology. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G70The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: The duties of the position require periods of sitting, standing, and walking. Working with patients in the clinic and on the wards requires regular sitting, bending, and standing. Patient transport occasional requires the pushing of wheelchairs. Work in front of a computer several hours per day is required. Some stressful situations may occur when communicating with patients and their families who may have multiple physical, mental and/or psychosocial problems and needs. ["Primary responsibility is for patient care, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education, which do not require a full professional audiology education or knowledge and skills represented by audiology licensure. Support functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties. In addition, the incumbent must be able to mentor and train new health technicians (Audiology). Greeting and escorting patients; Triaging patients to an audiologist based on complexity of the procedures being completed; Patient set up for procedures (e.g., vestibular, neurodiagnostic procedures). Patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or in a group setting; Non-diagnostic otoscopy; Taking earmold impressions. Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm\nPosition Description Title/PD#: Health Tech (Hearing)/ 0000\nPhysical Requirements: The duties of the position require periods of sitting, standing, and walking. Working with patients in the clinic and on the wards requires regular sitting, bending, and standing. Patient transport occasional requires the pushing of wheelchairs. Work in front of a computer several hours per day is required. Some stressful situations may occur when communicating with patients and their families who may have multiple physical, mental and/or psychosocial problems and needs."]