Audiologist (Clinical Specialist)

Department of Veterans Affairs

The Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System (NAVAHCS) is seeking one (1) full time Audiologist (Clinical Specialist) to provide audiology services in our Specialty & Diagnostic service line at the Bob Stump VA Medical Center in Prescott, AZ. The incumbent will be responsible for developing and administering special programs while also conducting a full range of audiology and balance evaluations, treatment interventions, and counseling services to hearing-impaired veterans.

• In carrying out clinical duties and responsibilities of the position, the incumbent: Uses best practices in audiology at NAVAHCS including audiologic evaluations, hearing aid evaluations, immittance testing, otoacoustic emissions, verification and cerumen management. Exercises independent clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age-specific and unique patient conditions, needs and expectations. Provides ALDs as needed for Domiciliary and Centers for Community Living patients. Provides adequate clinic time and referrals as needed for TBI, stroke and certain geriatric patients to auditory processing and aural rehabilitation (speech pathology), geriatric management (social workers) and tinnitus and cochlear implant patients (Phoenix VA audiology). Provides diagnostic criteria to all providers for referral to audiology or ED (sudden hearing loss, draining ears, severe vertigo). Evaluates patients to determine nature, type and severity of hearing and balance disorders using a full range of diagnostic tests and techniques, family and social history, records review and consultation with family and other health care practitioners. Conducts face to face and ACE compensation and pension evaluations for hearing loss and tinnitus due to military service. Plans, coordinates and implements a full range of patient focused treatment services designed to optimize function. Provides handouts and conducts patient in services to address the following: Difficulty hearing in noise; tinnitus and tinnitus maskers; dizziness; hearing aids; hearing aid maintenance and swimmer's ear. Uses privacy standards for patient treatment and education to include family members and authorized caregivers. Incumbent functions as a team leader and is responsible for ensuring that work assignments of other members of the clinical team are carried out by performing a range of duties such as distributing and balancing workload among employees in accordance with established workflow or job specialization. Evaluates clinic schedules daily and weekly for audiologists and audiology technicians to ensure clinic appointments are appropriately scheduled, including C&P evaluations, audiologic and hearing aid evaluations, hearing aid fittings and follow up. Oversees consult list to ensure consults are received, scheduled or placed on EWL within seven days. Oversees consult service tracking list weekly to determine if consults should be rescheduled, cancelled or discontinued according to VHA Outpatient Scheduling Policy and Procedures. Monitors schedules with MSAs daily to fill cancellations, add unscheduled visits or add overbooks. Assists MSAs in determining patient requirements in consult scheduling - audiologic or hearing aid evaluations, follow ups or walk in clinic. Monitors patient totals, weekly and monthly, to determine staffing requirements at NAVAHCS and Flagstaff CBOC. Prioritizes appointments for scheduling depending upon consult request, degree of hearing loss, age, medical issues and other factors, as needed. Coordinates with Community Managed Care or non-VA care, depending upon patient needs. Coordinates services with Community Managed Care and non-VA care audiologists. Familiarizes audiologists using VA guidelines on audiologic and hearing aid services. Orders and certifies hearing aids from VA for Choice and non-VA care audiologists. Monitors DALC monthly hearing aid list, certifying, coordinating hearing aid fittings or return for credit. Uses computer spreadsheet to ensure all hearing aids, ALDs, repairs and loss and damage are ordered and scheduled. Coordinates with C&P in Primary Care to schedule and provide face to face and ACE examinations. Provides addendums or re-evaluate patients from outside contractors for C&P examinations as requested by VARO. Works with NAVAHCS Decision Support System (DSS) on audiology and hearing aid coding. Maintains and schedules calibrations, oversees equipment repairs and replacements. Maintains in good working order all clinic equipment and troubleshoots equipment issues with Biomed. Participates in ordering any new equipment or requests equipment repairs through Biomed. Completes annual inventory of equipment. Conducts SHA examinations for C&P, overbooking schedules if necessary. Coordinates schedules with MSAs for day-to-day adjustments. Manages day-to-day operations of clinic and plans for future needs. Provides information and data required to implement overtime, including evening and Saturday clinics. Notifies managers of budget constraints from Prosthetics and Biomed regarding hearing aids, ALDs, equipment and equipment repairs. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am to 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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