Summary Serve as a staff audiologist with special clinical program responsibilities with a specialty in Tinnitus that include the design, implementation, administration, education of staff, evaluation of effectiveness, and monthly reporting to the Supervisory Audiologist and Service Chief on the program at the William "Bill" Kling VA Outpatient Clinic - Miami V.A. HealthCare System. May be stationed at the William "B" Kling VA Outpatient Clinic or the Miami VA Medical Center or float between the two. Responsibilities FUNCTIONS CLINICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The incumbent serves as clinical Audiology service provider. The incumbent engages in the differential diagnosis of the full range of hearing problems associated with functional, mixed, conductive, sensorineural, and central hearing loss. In diagnosing these problems, the incumbent conducts and interprets the complete range of specialized and refined audiologic test procedures currently available. Included also is the ability to deal professionally with patients who present with inconsistent behavior, conflicting test results, and multiple handicaps that inhibit the utilization of normal audiologic test procedures. The incumbent demonstrates competence in the operation and maintenance of diverse and specialized audiometric equipment, including computer facilities and adjunct components. The incumbent utilizes patient records, patient performance, family interviews and counseling as they contribute essential data in the diagnostic process and appropriate patient care. The incumbent organizes clinical data systematically for effective retrieval for clinic and investigational requirements. The incumbent is responsible for analyzing problems that occur in the delivery of services, collection of related data and information, and implementing solutions and follow-up plans to assure that the actions were appropriate. These activities must be reported to the supervisors and service chief. In addition to clinical duties of a staff audiologist, incumbent has special clinical program responsibilities of the Advanced Tinnitus Management Program: Has and uses knowledge in the focused area of tinnitus, a contemporary audiology practice, by serving as the subject matter expert for tinnitus for the Audiology & Speech Pathology Service (ASPS) at the Miami VAHCS and dedicates no less than 25% of clinical time to the program. Develops and maintains a library of print materials for patient education on the theory and treatment of tinnitus and supplies these to colleagues. Provides Advanced Tinnitus Management via Telehealth, VA Video Connect, and in-person (as needed) to all clinical sites within the Miami catchment area, which includes the clinical care as well as the administration involved with providing the services. his involves coordinating dates and space with local telehealth technicians and Psychology Service, and the providing clinical video telehealth, VA Video Connect and in-person services. Plans, coordinates, and implements a full range of patient-focused treatment services designed to optimize hearing function and tinnitus relief. Consults with primary care providers, psychiatrists, psychologists, otologists, and other health care practitioners related to diagnostic evaluation and treatment. Documents in the medical record the diagnosis, clinical opinion, treatment plans, treatment outcomes, changes in functional status, and patient and family education. EDUCATION Provides orientation/training of medical staff to educate them about the Tinnitus Management Program. Assists in orientation and training of current and new staff in the latest techniques and products for tinnitus management. Assists in the supervision of students and trainees in tinnitus management. Maintains knowledge in the theory and practice of tinnitus management through special seminars, literature, and in-service programs. Provides patient and family education. Follows applicable informed consent requirements as necessary, HIPAA rules, and office procedures that protect patient privacy and patient rights. ADMINISTRATIVE In carrying out the administrative duties and responsibilities of the position, the incumbent: Uses knowledge in a focused area of contemporary audiology practice: e.g. tinnitus. Plans, teaches, and analyzes the results of Tinnitus Group Education classes. Plans, implements, and analyzes Tinnitus Assessments, including educating other staff members in appropriate referral criteria and guidelines. Keeps colleagues updated on the current status of tinnitus management. Provides monthly and annual reports to staff on the status and outcomes of the tinnitus management program. Adjusts techniques and treatments to accommodate program goals based on updated information about the current program, new concepts about the nature and treatment of tinnitus, and advanced device technology. May be requested to serve on service-level committees or task forces or to represent the service on medical center, network, or national committees. May be requested to perform ancillary assignments on occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial. Work Schedule: 8am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday Compressed/Flexible: Compressed availability Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 31989F Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: 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. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. Education-Documentation Submitted. Doctor of Audiology (AUD) from an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) or Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). HR office staff and management officials may verify a program's accreditation from ACAE at acaeaccred.org and CAA at caa.asha.org. OR Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Note: Effective January 1, 2007, the CAA in Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree or AUD programs in audiology. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Licensure-Documentation Submitted. Individuals must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice audiology at the doctoral level in a United States state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and licensure, where applicable. Audiologist (Clinical Specialist), GS-13. Grade Determinations: Experience. At least two years of experience as a professional audiologist, with at least one year comparable to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required: Advanced knowledge in a focused area of contemporary audiology practice to provide oversight of a specialty program. Skill to evaluate the specialty program to ensure deadlines and goals are met. Skill to coordinate initiatives and build consensus among interdisciplinary team members. Ability to monitor and report on work progress in the specialty program to adjust workload and processes. Ability to serve as the SME and provide education relating to the specialty program. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Audiologists (Clinical Specialists) provide leadership and direct oversight in the design, development, implementation, planning, and management of the specialty program. They serve as coaches or facilitators for the interdisciplinary team and are responsible for training all support staff and trainees as it relates to the specialty program. These individuals serve as the SME in matters regarding the specialty program. Preferred Experience: Knowledge and experience with Progressive Tinnitus Management. Leadership skills and experience managing and working with a team of professionals. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary. The work requires walking, standing, bending, an carrying light items such as books, papers, files, and intermittent moderate physical activity such as pushing, pulling, and carrying not more than 45 pounds of weight. There is daily use of a computer. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.