Audiologist - Clinical Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs

This position is located in withing the Audiology section of the Physical Medicine and Rehab service of the Sheridan VA Healthcare System. The duties and responsibilities are primarily carried out throughout the VA Medical Center and distant CBOC locations using a variety of modalities including but not limited to; face to face, telephone, VA Video Connect, and Clinical Video Telehealth. The incumbent is a staff audiologist with special clinical program responsibilities.

• Applies advanced theories and techniques to special patient populations, provide professional advice and counseling, and provide consultation in aural rehabilitation and tele-health. Coordinates with the Audiology clinicians and Telehealth Clinical Technicians (TCT). Trains TCTs to include but not limited to hearing aids, programming software, ROES data system including creation of handouts for training purposes. Coordinates installations and updates to software with Office of Information and Technology (OIT), Biomedical Engineering, and outside contractors/vendors as well as consults with these departments on their implementation. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of contemporary audiology practices. Manages the facilities audiology telehealth programs with an in-depth understanding of telehealth principles and practices and application of telehealth to audiology practice. Manages, directs, and oversees the Sheridan VA Healthcare System Tele Audiology program. Exercises independent clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age­ specific and unique patient conditions, needs, and expectations. Evaluates patients to determine nature, type, and severity of hearing and balance disorders using a full range of diagnostic tests and techniques, past, family, and social history, record review, and consultation with family and other health care practitioners. Provides hearing aid evaluations, assessments, selection, fitting, orientation, training, and follow-up services. Evaluates functional status before and after intervention and verifies acoustic performance of hearing aids using electroacoustic, real-ear, and functional measurements. Plans, coordinates, and implements a full range of patient-focused treatment services designed to optimize function. Consults with physicians and other health care practitioners related to diagnostic evaluation and treatment. Documents in the medical record on evaluation, diagnosis and clinical opinion, treatment plans, outcomes of treatment, changes in functional status, and patient/family education. Articulates and communicates goals, objectives, and focused initiatives for specialized clinical programs, as well as guiding the team members on work methods, practices, and procedures. Monitors and evaluates the work of Sheridan VA Healthcare System Tele-Audiology program and adjusts procedures or practices to accomplish the program goals. Serves as coach and facilitator in coordinating programs or team initiatives and consensus building activities among clinical team members with widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view. Updates and maintains policies, procedures, and conditions of participation for the Sheridan VA Healthcare System Tele Audiology clinical program. Maintains annual competency assessments for the Sheridan VA Healthcare System Tele Audiology clinical program team and coordinates continuing education for Tele Audiology program team both at local and distant VA locations. Communicates regularly with facility, network, national telehealth coordinators. Serves an educational and supportive role for other facilities that are beginning their own Tele Audiology programs and that may request further information or guidance. Overseas reporting and initiating work order request for telehealth equipment function and connectivity failures to national telehealth helpdesk, local IT, patient site IT, and patient site biomedical engineering department. Updates and advises administrative staff of telehealth clinic appointment access issues, such as clinic delays, cancellations, and reschedules. Monitors and tracks the efficiency and quality of the Sheridan VA Healthcare System Tele Audiology program. Coordinates with and maintains professional relationships with primary care and specialty clinics to facilitate smooth transition for Veterans when additional medical evaluation or treatment is recommended. Provides supervisor and/or service chief with periodic reports on telehealth program including but not limited to productivity, encounters, wait times general review and suggestions for continuous quality improvement. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: May be available at the supervisor's discretion. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61466-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

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