Audiologist Clinical Specialist -Tinnitus

Summary

This position is in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service for the Salt Lake City VA Healthcare System, located at the Pocatello, Idaho Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). Incumbent is a staff audiologist, under direct supervision of the ASPS Service Chief with special clinic program responsibilities for the medical center's Advanced Tinnitus Management Program with administrative responsibility over this program.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

06/21/2024 to 06/28/2024

• Salary

$103,409 - $134,435 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 13

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Pocatello, ID 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• 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

CBSU-12451052-24-LML

• Control number

796712200

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all current, permanent Federal Employees at the Salt Lake City VHA VAMC, Department employees of SLC's Audiology and Pathology Department, and all Salt Lake City CBOC employees. Pocatello CBOC employees will receive first consideration.

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Duties

Clinical duties & responsibilities of the Advanced Tinnitus Management Program include:

1.Uses knowledge in the focused area of tinnitus, a contemporary audiology practice, by serving as the subject matter expert for tinnitus for the Audiology & Speech Pathology Service & dedicates clinical time to the program.

2.Develops & maintains a library of materials for patient education on the theory & treatment of tinnitus for clinic use.

3.Provides Advanced Tinnitus Management via telehealth to other sites. This includes the clinic care as well as the administration involved with providing the services via telehealth.

4.Understands & incorporates the principles & practices of the NCRAR program of Progressive Tinnitus Management practices into ongoing clinical services per the needs of the veteran:

• Hearing evaluation & history specific to the complaint of tinnitus.

• Administration & interpretation of tinnitus questionnaires for determination of perceived tinnitus handicap & candidacy for referral to tinnitus education & management services.

• Provision of individual and/or group tinnitus management classes utilizing PTM in face-to-face settings & via telehealth.

• Assessment, selection, fitting & verification of ear level amplification and/or sound generator devices for tinnitus management.

• Provision of environmental sound generator devices as well as use of tinnitus Bluetooth streaming applications.

• Outcome measures & subsequent follow-up for Level 4 & 5 PTM services.

• Tinnitus evaluations including tinnitus matching, masking, & residual inhibition.

5.Maintains & updates a stock of specialized tinnitus management devices for trial when amplification and/or sound generator devices are ineffective or rejected.

6.Articulates & communicates the rationale, goals, management options, objectives, & focused initiatives to associate staff of the Advanced Tinnitus Management program.

7.Guides team members on work methods, practices, & procedures.

8.Coordinates the non-medical aspects of the multidisciplinary approach through an ongoing working relationship with Psychology within the Salt Lake City VAMC for provision of PTM services in accordance with NCRAR recommendations in addition to maintaining working relationships with Prosthetics for acquisition of tinnitus management devices & Otolaryngology for tinnitus patients in need of medical management.

9.Confers with clinical peers, including health technicians, telehealth techs in CBOC for coordination of tinnitus services at the main campus.

10. Provides support including continuing education services to clinical audiology peers within the Salt Lake City VAMC, updating them on new techniques & devices for tinnitus management & reporting information gathered from attendance at tinnitus seminars & workshops.

11. Researches & participates in the training of any new types of devices that come available with a strong research background to use as potential tinnitus devices.

12. Mentors students in the provision of tinnitus management services for patients.

13. Facilitates communication with tinnitus patients who have questions, problems, or malfunctioning devices by maintaining a dedicated Audiology phone line & VA's Secure Messaging system.

14. Conducts, plans, & coordinates all clinical & administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary audiology practice. Audiology services include comprehensive hearing testing, hearing aid prescription & management. Services may be provided in a face-to-face setting & / or via telehealth for Tinnitus.

15. Performs independent diagnostic assessment & evaluation of cases that are referred to the Audiology Section without limitation as to difficulty or complexity. Conducts interviews with the patients & appropriate family members or friends; & to select, administer & interpret the diagnostic test results necessary to detect & evaluate the presence of a hearing disorder.

16.Oversees

• assessing patient conditions from examination, observation & consultation with other members of the interdisciplinary health care team;
• utilizing all diagnostic & evaluative procedures & techniques consistent with contemporary audiology practice;
• developing an appropriate plan of care & delivering treatment as designed & consistent with principles of evidence-based practice;
• documenting evaluation & treatment actions & outcomes in appropriate formats in a timely manner, in accordance with facility policy, & completing all related administrative tasks;
• reporting the findings to Veterans & their families, & to professional colleagues; &
• maintaining supplies, equipment & clinical areas to optimize safety & efficiency.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

Compressed/Flexible:Available

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 51512-0

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

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

• 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 acaeaccred.org and] CAA at caa.asha.org.

• 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

• OR, 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.

Grade Determinations:

Audiologist (Clinical Specialist), GS-13.

Experience: At least two years of experience as a professional audiologist, with at least one year comparable to the next lower grade level (GS -12). Comparable experience may include: 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. Inpatient or outpatient medicine, primary care, surgery, hearing health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, geriatrics, compensation, and pension. 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. Staff audiologists may be involved in program evaluation, teaching, training, and research activities. Among the modalities provided are individual, family, and group audiologic rehabilitation.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required:

(a) Advanced knowledge in a focused area of contemporary audiology practice to provide oversight of a specialty program.

(b) Skill to evaluate the specialty program to ensure deadlines and goals are met.

(c) Skill to coordinate initiatives and build consensus among interdisciplinary team members.

(d) Ability to monitor and report on work progress in the specialty program to adjust workload and processes.

(e) Ability to serve as the SME and provide education relating to the specialty program.

Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Audiologists (clinical specialists) provide leadership and direct oversight in the design, development, implementation, planning, and management of the specialty program. They serve as coaches or facilitators for the interdisciplinary team and are responsible for training all support staff and trainees as it relates to the specialty program. These individuals serve as the SME in matters regarding the specialty program.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/167 PART II APPENDIX G29

Physical Requirements: The work involves long periods of moving about the work unit. The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting, and repositioning and transferring patients. Incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders and patients who require restraints. The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy, and concern. Must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action in using initiative to prevent accidents.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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 1193.01, 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 window

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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.