Health Technician (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:
(1) 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
(2) 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
(3) 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).

English Language Proficiency:
HTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).

GS-7 Health Technician-Audiology Grade Determinations:
Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled.
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(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 5005/143 PART II APPENDIX G70

Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary and requires some standing, bending, and carrying light items such as incoming mail, papers, books. Occasionally a piece of equipment would need to be moved. A significant amount of walking is also required to interact with patients and other services.