Audiologist

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
POSITION TITLE: Audiologist
Date: 30 May 2023
Primary Location: Thomas E. Creek VA Medical Center, Amarillo, Texas
Occupational Series Code: 0665 GRADE: GS-12
1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Audiologists at this grade level are independent practitioners and are considered to be at the full performance level.
This position is located in the Audiology Service at the Lubbock Community Based Outpatient Clinic as part of the Amarillo VA Health Care System. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and patient care areas involved with the service. Incumbent is a staff audiologist. The staff audiologist conducts a full range of audiological evaluations to determine the type and degree of hearing loss, determines patients’ need for amplification, predicts and measures the effectiveness of amplification, and determines need for and type of rehabilitation and counseling of veterans with hearing loss and their families. The staff audiologist conducts and interprets behavioral, electroacoustic, or electrophysiological methods used to assess hearing, tinnitus, balance and neural system function.
2. FUNCTIONS
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Incumbent at this level will assume full responsibility for his/her own principal duties and responsibilities. In carrying out the clinical duties and responsibilities of this position, the incumbent will:
A. Conduct, plan, and coordinate all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary audiology practice.
B. Perform clinical duties and responsibilities to include direct patient care involving a full range of audiology and treatment services. This will include selection and fitting of hearing aids and other amplification systems and devices, selectin and fitting of hearing protection and custom ear protection devices, aural (auditory) rehabilitation, auditory brainstem response (ABR), otoacoustic emissions, balance evaluation, and counselling of hearing impaired veterans and family members/caretakers.
C. Identify and evaluate individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech, language and other acoustic signals to a full range of patient complexity.
D. Administer full range of tests and evaluate the type and degree of hearing loss for patients who may be unable to provide consistent and reliable reaction to diagnostic techniques.
E. Responsible for planning, delivering, and monitoring the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative services for patients with significant physical and psychological complicating conditions.
F. Duties will include, but not limited to, selection and fitting of all types of hearing aids, programming of digital hearing aids, selection and fitting of assistive devices and assistive listening devices such as personal and FM amplifiers, telephone amplifiers, and radio or TV devices for special communication problems.
G. Inspect, modify, and repair amplification devices, ear molds, and assistive devices.
H. Plan, conduct, and coordinate auditory (aural) rehabilitation and tinnitus programs for patients; design patient-centered treatment plans to assist patient and caregivers to maximize and restore to the greatest extent possible physical and social functioning.
I. Complete all documentation in accordance with local facility and national policies.
J. Communicate effectively to include participation in regular staff meetings, inter-disciplinary health care team meetings as appropriate, review policies and procedures, and attend in-service trainings as directed by supervisory staff.
K. Remain current in audiological new developments, maintain professional competency by reading professional journals and engaging in continuing education activities and professional learning experiences, and by communicating with other professionals in the profession and related professions.
L. Maintain proper maintenance and calibration of specialized electroacoustic instrumentation.
M. Learn and maintain current knowledge related to the technical aspects of clinical instruments as well as calibration instruments.
EDUCATION
A. Keeps current with theory and practice through continuing education programs, journals, textbooks, and other literature, and in-service programs.
B. Provides patient and family education including informed consent.
ADMINISTRATIVE
A. Maintains patient records and other data required by the clinic, service, and medical center.
B. Maintains, supplies, equipment and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency.
C. Follows applicable informed consent, HIPAA rules on privacy and protecting patient rights.
D. May perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial.
3. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
Incumbent is under the general supervision of the Service Chief of Audiology. Incumbent will be expected to perform independently at their full performance level. Candidates at this level found to be fully successful will have minimal supervision after completion of the first 90 days. Program goals and objectives are provided to the incumbent, and the employee is responsible for
planning and carrying out assignments, conflict resolution, task coordination with others as necessary, and understanding and interpreting policy regarding own initiative with respect to established facility objectives. Incumbent may be asked to determine approach and methodology to be taken in some assigned tasks/projects. Incumbent will inform the Service Chief of progress and potentially controversial matters.
4. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS
Refer to VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G29, AUDIOLOGIST, Qualification Standard, GS-0665.
5. AGE-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
Incumbent provides a full range of audiology evaluation, assessment, and treatment services to young adult (18-40 years), middle adult (41-64 years), and older adult (65+ years) veterans. Works independently, exercises clinical judgment in dealing with complex clinical decisions and daily problems, and coordinates with other disciplines concerning total patient care using professional knowledge and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles, and methodology.
6. DEVELOPMENTAL AND CULTURAL COMPETENCIES
Incumbent will provide services to all veterans regardless of developmental and/or cultural differences. Incumbent will possess or develop an understanding of the particular needs of all patients with sensitivity to these special needs.
7. COMPUTER SECURITY
Incumbent will protect printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Employee will protect the data from unauthorized release of from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc as set out in the computer access agreement that the incumbent signs.
Incumbent uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, report and memoranda, and transmitting and receiving mail. Incumbent uses application in the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA), Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), and other authorized data sources to access information pertinent to the performance of these duties and responsibilities.
8. REUSABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
Incumbent will have and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) including knowledge of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of Reusable Medical Equipment.

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 Federal holidays with pay annually
• 5 Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA) Lifetime Healthcare Insurance options available
• Dental & Vision: Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits, 2) FERS-RAE basic benefits (pension), and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 12.2% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 16.6% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2020, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $19,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $25,500.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions, depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years service

The Amarillo VA Health Care System, a division of the VA Health Care Network (VISN 17), provides primary specialty, and extended care of the highest quality to veterans throughout the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, eastern New Mexico, and southern Kansas. Approximately 25,000 patients are treated annually. The health care system maintains 55 acute care inpatient beds for general medical, surgical, and intensive care. Geriatric and extended care is provided in the 120-bed skilled nursing home care unit. A modern ambulatory care center and medical arts building facilitates the delivery of primary care, specialty care and preventive health services. The Amarillo VA Health Care System also ensures health care is accessible to those veterans residing in rural areas through three community-based outpatient clinics located in Lubbock, Childress, and Dalhart, Texas, as well as Clovis, New Mexico.

Mission:

The mission of the Amarillo VA Health Care System is to provide timely, efficient, ethical, safe, compassionate, and quality health care to veteran patients.

Vision:

The Vision of the AVAHCS is to become:

• The recognized leader of health care in our community / region
• The provider of choice
• The employer of choice

Core Values:

• Integrity: Act with high moral principle. Adhere to the highest professional standards. Maintain the trust and confidence of all with whom I engage.
• Commitment: Work diligently to serve Veterans and other beneficiaries. Be driven by an earnest belief in VA’s mission. Fulfill my individual responsibilities and organizational responsibilities.
• Advocacy: Be truly Veteran-centric by identifying, fully considering, and appropriately advancing the interests of Veterans and other beneficiaries.
• Respect: Treat all those I serve and with whom I work with dignity and respect. Show respect to earn it.
• Excellence: Strive for the highest quality and continuous improvement. Be thoughtful and decisive in leadership, accountable for my actions, willing to admit mistakes, and rigorous in correcting them.

Facility Facts and Specifics

The Thomas E. Creek VA Medical Center located in Amarillo, Texas is the main facility for the Amarillo VA Health Care System (VAHCS) which serves approximately 65,600 veterans in a primary service area to include 59 counties in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, eastern New Mexico, and southeast Kansas. It was constructed in 1939 and dedicated on May 12, 1940.

A division of the VA Health Care Network (VISN 17), the Amarillo VAHCS provides primary, specialty, and extended care of the highest quality to veterans, maintaining three community based outpatient clinics located in Lubbock, TX, Childress, TX, and Clovis, NM.

Approximately 25,000 patients are treated annually. The health care system maintains 55 acute care inpatient beds for general medical, surgical, and intensive care. Geriatric and extended care is provided in the 120-bed skilled nursing home care unit. A modern ambulatory care center and medical arts building facilitates the delivery of primary care, specialty care and preventive health services.

Specialized Programs include support of the CCHT Program through Telehealth Care Coordination, a home portable sleep study program, Outpatient Substance Abuse program and a VIST program. The VIST program manages services to blind veterans living in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

The Amarillo VAHCS has dedicated Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom staff working in a coordinated effort to reach military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and help to make a seamless transition to veterans’ health care.

The Amarillo VAHCS provides an active teaching environment for medical students and residents through a formal affiliation with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The rotation includes approximately 40 residents in Internal Medicine, Family Practice, and Specialty Care. Other affiliations with Texas Tech University School of Pharmacy, Northeastern State University of Optometry, West Texas A&M University and Amarillo College provide a variety of educational opportunities in pharmacy, optometry, nursing and various allied health programs.