Audiology Technician

SummaryCHENEGA PRO FEDERAL SERVICES, LLCOkinawa, JapanTHIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON BID AWARDThe Audiology Technician shall provide services in accordance with established standards, principals and ethics of the profession at NMC Camp Foster, Okinawa Japan providing health care services to a diverse population.ResponsibilitiesAccesses vital patient health history data and reviews health issues impacting hearing sensitivity or audiological test results. Identifies patient workplace hearing health hazards, determines program enrollment status, makes pivotal patient care decisions, and takes decisive action to conduct needed medical tests/procedures.Determines types of tests and medical procedures to administer to include: baseline, pre/post-deployment, pre-employment, separation, periodic physical exams, medical surveillance, job certification, and preventive health assessments such as medical conditions that could influence test results or personal protection use. Prepares patients for audiometric assessments, reviews test procedure processes, and delivers clear, concise test procedure instructions; conducts individual and multi-person pure tone hearing tests in audiometric chamber using specialized microprocessor audiometer hardware and Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness-Hearing Conservation (DOEHRS-HC) software.Evaluates outer and middle ear function through otoscopic examination of the ear canals, tympanometry, and acoustic reflex screening procedures.Evaluates test and procedure results, reviews results with patients, and makes disposition determinations, including triaging patient dispositions based on audiometric test and procedure outcome; determining the need for follow-up tests and coordinating timely secondary care and follow-up services. Provides proactive hearing loss prevention services. Assesses patient’s personal hearing protection devices and administers constructive training on accurate fit, wear and care. Provides practical hands-on education and demonstrations of proper hearing protection insertions/fittings. Selects improved protection devices and re-instructs patients on proper use when current devices or practices prove inadequate or insufficient.Analyzes health education needs for noise exposed workers, and conducts face-to-face individual and/or group training sessions. Counsels patients on effective hearing conservation strategies, prevention of workplace hearing injury, personal protective equipment, and off duty hearing health habits/behaviors/practices.Documents individualized medical notes on each patient in the electronic health record.Inventories and tracks medical equipment and supplies, and coordinates purchase procurements. Coordinates clinic facility repair/maintenance and conducts routine maintenance on audiology equipment. Conducts daily medical equipment function checks and biologic calibration tests and procedures. Coordinates/tracks recurring medical equipment electroacoustic calibrations, installs/un-installs equipment, and prepares equipment for shipment. Tracks audiometric booth certification due dates and coordinates ambient noise level attenuation measurements.Manages DOEHRS-HC software, coordinates/conducts software updates at required periodicities, and troubleshoots software/hardware problems. Notifies command HCP Management, Information Systems Department staff, and/or software support team of system anomalies or malfunction. Works collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure seamless software function and upgrades without interruption to patient care. Conducts daily audiometric data exports to the DOEHRS Data Repository (DR), and periodic data backups to local shared drives. Reviews daily data export reports and validates successful data transmission to the repository. Intervenes to resolve data transmission errors. Generate reports and initiates responses to formal and informal correspondence. Maintains proficiency with current DOEHRS-HC software versionsProvides HCP administrative and management support to audiologist/department/hearing conservation program. Coordinates/manages patient scheduling, maintains logs and tracking systems, manages clinic medical and office supplies, and conducts other office management support duties. Participates as Instructor for formal Hearing Conservation Certification Courses, and/or assists with coordinating or conducting hearing loss prevention/outreach events. Assists with training and mentoring newly certified military and civilian Hearing Conservation Technicians and students, and facilitating periodic refresher training, as needed. Maintains current Unit Identification Code (UIC) and demographic data for all fleet and shore noise hazard commands within the clinic/medical facility AOR. Maintains current Service Duty Occupation Codes (SDOCs) for all noise hazard occupations within the clinic/medical facility AOR.Identifies and applies diagnosis and procedure medical codes to each patient encounter.Other duties as assigned.QualificationsPosses and maintain current certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS).High School Diploma Knowledge, Skills And AbilitiesAbility to obtain and maintain Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing (CAOH) certification within 6 months of hire.Previous work experience in an outpatient clinic setting preferred.Knowledge of federal, state, DOD, DON, and United States Marine Core (USMC) laws and regulations governing Hearing Conservation Programs. Knowledge of the program structure, stakeholder roles/responsibilities, and implementation/management requirements. Ability to effectively manage a HCP clinic/office and oversee audiometric testing of alternate or part-time technicians; to manage and maintain equipment and software; and to provide administrative program management assistance.High level of understanding is required of the program’s legal requirements, medical implications, software/database systems, medical coding procedures, and patient care management protocols.Knowledge of and experience in the independent use of equipment for audiometric testing, recording and interpreting results.Ability to determine the need for additional tests or procedures and/or referral and to explain the purpose and results to employees.Knowledge of medical coding guidelines and skill in applying medical codes to individual patient diagnoses and procedures.Knowledge of the anatomy of the ear and the methods and practices used in the medical treatment to include specialized diagnostic and prevention procedures of disorders and injuries of the ear sufficient to recognize and assess deviations from normal conditions, make immediate modifications, and notify audiologists.Knowledge of DOD/DON job-related hearing standards and medical referral criteria pertaining to hearing loss, tinnitus, communication impairments and medical qualification/fitness for duty determinations.Possess thorough and detailed knowledge of and skill with the DOEHRS-HC software application and DR database.Ability to review and analyze hearing conservation data, records, reports, and electronic audit trails; to verify data accuracy; and to identify and rectify errors.Knowledge and skill with current electronic health record software systems, andAbility to effectively learn, adapt and transition that proficiency to new systems and technology.Physical Demands: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee may use repeated motions that include the arms, wrists, hands and/or fingers. The employee is occasionally required to walk, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.Any estimated salary provided by this job board may not align with Chenega's compensation program. Please apply to connect with a recruiter who can provide more details.