Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist

Hearing aid troubleshooting and repair; performing visual and auditory checks of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology-including all hearing aid accessories as well as alerting devices (troubleshoots performance);fabricating earmold impressions with proper (non-diagnostic) otoscopy; ordering earmolds based on plan of care through prosthetics or DLC and fitting and modifying earmolds if necessary; providing basic hearing aid information for patients and caregivers consistent with the audiologists treatment plan including but not limited to realistic expectations communication strategies and/or aural rehabilitation; assisting in set up and delivery of face-to-face and telehealth visits by preparing the equipment for patient evaluation and other audiology procedures including but not limited to daily biologic listening calibration of audiometric equipment and calibration of real-ear equipment; assisting patients with hearing aid connectivity including but not limited to downloading applications (or apps) pairing devices in the app Bluetooth pairing and pairing hearing aid accessories.

The incumbent is responsible for ensuring timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions via ROES. The Health Technician (HIS) completes documentation per medical center policy for timeliness for each episode of care and codes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the audiologist.

Administrative duties may include but not limited to the following: Maintaining comprehensive supply and equipment tracking systems to include monitoring stock of RME and consumable items; ensuring proper inventory levels to complete the daily tasks; prioritizing the acquisition of all supplies and equipment regarding date of expiration and may maintain a loaner hearing aid inventory. The Health Technician (HIS) assists patients through triaging phone calls and audiology requests with regards to priority and urgency following the audiologists plan of care.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm CST (Schedule may be adjusted based on the need of the facility)
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available
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

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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.

1. Non-board-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for appointment may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Health Technician (HIS) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B).
2. Non-board-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist.
3. Non-board-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained.
4. Temporary appointments of non-board-certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

1. Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck.
2. Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines.
3. Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email creating spreadsheets and word processing.
4. Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
5. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
6. Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories.

1. Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy.
2. Knowledge of hearing aids hearing assistive technology hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software.
3. Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices.
4. Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection).
5. Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations.
6. Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aids hearing assistive technology and patient care that is consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist.
7. Ability to prepare patient equipment and/or environment for audiology procedures.
8. Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology request.