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
• 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)
• Experience and Education
• 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, 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, 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
• Certification
• Certification by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) as a Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC) is accepted however, it is not required for HTAs at the GS-7 level
• Grandfathering Provision
• All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: They may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• If an HTA, HTSLP or HTASLP who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• HTAs, HTSLPs or HTASLPs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (4) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-04 Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-05 Experience
• One year 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 Education
• Successful completion of four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in courses related to the position or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to the functions of the occupation
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
• In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck
• Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing
• Knowledge of basic hearing assistive technologies
• Knowledge of basic infection control procedures and guidelines
• Ability to maintain stock and supply level inventories
• Skill in using basic computer software such as email, spreadsheet and word processing
• GS-06 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy
• Knowledge of hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families
• Knowledge of hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software
• Ability to solve problems or make decisions regarding hearing aid, hearing assistive technology and patient care, consistent with the documented and co-signed plan of care under the supervision of an audiologist
• Ability to prepare patients for testing procedures
• Ability to document and code patient procedures
• GS-07 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to mentor and train new HTAs
• Ability to prepare patients for advanced testing procedures performed by the audiologist, such as evoked potentials
• Ability to develop and implement the technician role for a program in a focused area of audiology
• Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work require the use of fingers, reaching above shoulder, standing (1-2 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Hearing aid use is permitted.