Audiologist

Summary

Audiologist 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. The Audiologist may be involved in program evaluation - teaching - training - and research activities. Among the modalities provided are individual - family and group audiologic rehabilitation.

Summary

Audiologist 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. The Audiologist may be involved in program evaluation - teaching - training - and research activities. Among the modalities provided are individual - family and group audiologic rehabilitation.

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)
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Exception: Non-Licensed applicants 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)
• Non-Licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-12 grade level until licensure is obtained
• English Language Proficiency: Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: GS-11 Audiologist Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the basic requirements - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of principles and techniques in the assessment and treatment of auditory and balance disorders
• (b) Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary audiology scope of practice as defined by the American Academy of Audiology or the ASHA
• (c) Ability to interact with patients - families - and other health care professionals
• GS-12 Audiologist (Full Performance Level) 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 - GS-11
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level - the following KSAs are required: (a) Skill in determining nature - type - and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders
• (b) Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders
• (c) Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals
• (d) Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations
• Preferred Experience: Current Audiologist license
• ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence preferred
• Previous Audiologist experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to: Assess the nature - type - and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders: Identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech - language - and other acoustic signals
• Administers the full range of tests including auditory evoked potentials - videonystagmography - tinnitus - and balance assessment
• evaluates the type and degree of hearing loss
• administers compensation and pension evaluations and provides an expert opinion regarding etiology of auditory dysfunctions as needed
• Recommends remedial measures to mitigate hearing loss: Responsible for direct services of a remedial and preventative nature
• The services encompass the following: selection - evaluation and fitting of hearing aids - assistive listening devices - and accessories
• issuance of hearing protection
• Incumbent plans - conducts - and coordinates auditory (aural) rehabilitation - tinnitus and/or vestibular rehabilitation programs for patients
• designs 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
• Counsels patients and family members regarding management of hearing communication - and vestibular disorders: Counsels patients - family and other health care providers on hearing loss - hearing loss management and provides patient educational resources
• Incumbent serves as a consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases
• Provides professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals: Serves as consultant to other health care professionals and are recognized subject matter experts (SME) on matters related to hearing - tinnitus - and balance disorders
• The supervisor may assign staff audiologists to any VHA program and setting - such as inpatient or outpatient medicine - primary care - surgery - hearing health - neurology - rehabilitation medicine - geriatrics - compensation and pension
• Independently applies professional contemporary audiology treatments to the full range of patient populations: Applies clinical skills in such areas as hearing conservation - electrophysiological assessment and interpretation - central auditory function assessment and treatment - counseling for coping with tinnitus - and analysis and fitting of advanced amplification technology
• Applies knowledge - theories - and techniques to a full range of complex adult patients
• Applies knowledge of embryology
• genetics
• pharmacology
• basic physiology/disease processes
• the effects of high intensity noise on the auditory mechanism
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized