- Position Title
- Hearing Instrument Specialist (Health Technician)
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- OCA-FY25-91726427-19155-HIS Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Tuesday, January 21, 2025 to Tuesday, May 27, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the Department of Veterans Affairs? If yes, confirm:
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
Preferences
1.
Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
Your resume must be submitted in English and include the following information for each job listed:
- Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
- Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
- Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
- Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
- Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
Assessment 1
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
English Language Proficiency: Health Technicians (telehealth clinical -Audiology) must be proficient in spoken and written English.
Are you proficient in both written and spoken English?
Are you proficient in both written and spoken English?
2.
Basic Requirement: Experience and Education: Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist) must possess one of the following:
Experience: Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists; OR
Education: Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes coursework related to the field: hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology or other general healthcare areas.
Please select the following answer that best describes your Experience and Education.
Experience: Completion of the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Aid Specialists; OR
Education: Successful completion of two academic years above high school that includes coursework related to the field: hearing science, human anatomy and physiology, hearing instrument science, gerontology, psychology or other general healthcare areas.
Please select the following answer that best describes your Experience and Education.
3.
Licensure or Registration. Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license or registration to practice as a HIS in a state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia.
Please select the following answer that best describes your Licensure or Registration. Please provide a copy with your application.
Please select the following answer that best describes your Licensure or Registration. Please provide a copy with your application.
4.
Board Certification. Individuals must hold active board certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS).
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)
Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist
Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained
Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
Please select the following answer that best describes your board certification. Please provide a copy with your application.
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)
Non-board certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a licensed audiologist
Non-board certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until board certification is obtained
Temporary appointments of non-board certified Health Technician (HIS) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
Please select the following answer that best describes your board certification. Please provide a copy with your application.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
5.
For the GS-05 Health Technician (Hearing Instrument specialist)
For the GS-05 Health Technician (Hearing Instrument specialist)
Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck.
(b) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines.
(c) Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email, creating spreadsheets and word processing.
(d) Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
(e) Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
(f) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories.
Do you possess the Knowledge, Skills and abilities above?
For the GS-05 Health Technician (Hearing Instrument specialist)
Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of basic anatomy of the head and neck.
(b) Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines.
(c) Skill in using basic computer software to complete tasks such as using email, creating spreadsheets and word processing.
(d) Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
(e) Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
(f) Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories.
Do you possess the Knowledge, Skills and abilities above?
6.
For the GS-06 Health Technician (Hearing Instrument Specialist), applicants must have at least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy.
(b) Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software.
(c) Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices.
(d) Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use, to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection).
(e) Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations.
(f) 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.
(g) Ability to prepare patient, equipment, and/or environment for audiology procedures.
(h) Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests.
Do you have experience listed above and all KSA's demonstrated in your resume?
(a) Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy.
(b) Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software.
(c) Skill in documenting patient procedures and patient devices.
(d) Skill in providing patient education for hearing aid use, to include assisting patient with hearing aid insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection).
(e) Ability to provide patient education and training regarding hearing loss and communication strategies for various listening situations.
(f) 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.
(g) Ability to prepare patient, equipment, and/or environment for audiology procedures.
(h) Ability to provide triage of patient telephone calls or audiology requests.
Do you have experience listed above and all KSA's demonstrated in your resume?
RESUME REMINDER: Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
-Job title Duties (Be as detailed as possible.)
- Month & year start/end dates (e.g., June 2007 to April 2008)
-Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
TRANSCRIPT REMINDER: Transcript(s) must be submitted if education is used to meet any requirement. Conferral of degrees earned should be present on transcript(s). Unofficial transcript(s) are acceptable.
CERTIFICATION REMINDER: You must submit a copy of your Certification listed with your application.
-Job title Duties (Be as detailed as possible.)
- Month & year start/end dates (e.g., June 2007 to April 2008)
-Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
TRANSCRIPT REMINDER: Transcript(s) must be submitted if education is used to meet any requirement. Conferral of degrees earned should be present on transcript(s). Unofficial transcript(s) are acceptable.
CERTIFICATION REMINDER: You must submit a copy of your Certification listed with your application.