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Summary The primary purpose of the position is to perform Staff Audiologist duties and apply a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies of the practice of audiology to a wide range of patient populations. This position is situated in the Audiology Section of Geriatrics, Rehabilitation and Extended Care Services and is located at the Community Based Outpatient Clinic located in Wenatchee, Washington. Responsibilities At the GS-12 (full-performance level) grade level of this assignment, responsibilities include: Technical Skills: Uses a wide range of knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies in the practice of Audiology to a wide range of populations. Develops coherent treatment strategies. Applies knowledge of clinical services and the ability to perform them independently. Conducts assessments, provides treatment interventions; hearing aid evaluation and fitting; hearing aid follow-up and repair; aural rehabilitation; tinnitus counseling. Provides consultation to other health care professionals. Has knowledge of contemporary Audiology practice. Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary Audiology practice. Critical Thinking: Able to integrate procedural changes rapidly and flexibly. Demonstrates flexibility when collaborating with administrative staff and is creative when considering approaches to correct inefficiencies. Demonstrates ability to initiate patient referral and triage process for ear conditions. Demonstrates ability to consider or modify approaches to patients, families, and employees based on age-related 'changes that occur throughout the life span, and specific Veteran Population Based needs. Demonstrates application of informed consent, HIPP A rules on privacy and protecting patient rights. Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the application of professional customer service principles in the work setting. Ability to communicate clearly with people of varying backgrounds to accommodate hearing and cognitive deficits, adjusting to their level of understanding. Ability to work closely with others in a clinic setting. Administrative: Participates in developing new patient programs. Maintains patient records and other data required by the clinic, service, and medical center. Responsible for planning, delivering, and monitoring the effectiveness and clinic outcomes of patient centered treatment and rehabilitative services. Maintains supplies, equipment and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency. May be requested to serve on service-level committees or task forces or to represent the Audiology service/section on medical center committees. Follows applicable informed consent, HIPP A rules on privacy and protecting patient rights. Attends regular staff meetings and inter-disciplinary health care team meetings as appropriate. Reviews policies and procedures and attends in-service trainings. May perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial. Education: Assists in orientation and training of new staff. Assists in the training and supervision of students, trainees and externs providing feedback on progress toward established educational goals. Keeps current with theory and practice through continuing education programs, journals, textbooks, and other literature, and in-service programs. Provides patient and family education including informed consent. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a). English Language Proficiency. Audiologist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Education. (1) 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 (2) Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the USDE. 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 for Non-Licensed Audiologist. (a) 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). (b) Non-Licensed individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a fully licensed audiologists at or above the full performance level. (c) 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. (d) Temporary appointments of non-Licensed audiologists may not be extended beyond two years or be converted to a new temporary appointment 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: Audiologist, GS-11. (1) Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) 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 Audiologist, GS-12. (1) 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. (2) 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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: Light carrying (under 15 pounds), use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, and hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental Factors: Working closely with others. 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.