Audiologist Veterans Health Administration Jobs

The Audiologist in this setting performs the full range of audiological activities, often independently, for inpatients and outpatients with complex hearing and balance disorders.

Key Clinical Responsibilities:

• Comprehensive Diagnostics: Independently conducting the full range of audiological evaluations to determine the type and degree of hearing loss, including advanced testing like vestibular nerve function.

• Treatment Planning: Planning, delivering, and monitoring patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative services, especially for Veterans with complex physical or psychological conditions.

• Hearing Devices: Selecting, fitting, and dispensing all types of hearing aids, amplification systems, and prosthetic devices. This often includes advanced technologies like Cochlear Implants (requiring specialized training).

• Aural Rehabilitation: Designing and coordinating comprehensive aural (auditory) rehabilitation and tinnitus management programs for patients and their families.

• Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exams: Performing diagnostic examinations specifically for Veterans applying for disability compensation (C&P).

• Consultation: Serving as a subject matter expert and consultant to other healthcare professionals within the medical center on matters related to hearing, tinnitus, and balance disorders.

Qualifications and Salary Context

Qualifications:

• Education: A Doctor of Audiology ($\text{AuD}$) degree (or equivalent) from an accredited program is the standard requirement.

• Licensure: Must possess a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice Audiology.

• Federal Requirements: Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Salary (Houston Context):

Audiologists in the VHA are typically paid under the General Schedule ($\text{GS}$) pay system, often at the $\text{GS-11}$ to $\text{GS-13}$ levels, depending on experience, complexity of duties, and supervisory status.

• In the Houston, TX area, the average annual salary for a Clinical Audiologist is around $88,762 – $88,790 per year.

• Salaries for federal VA positions in this area often start around $73,939 (GS-11) and can exceed $105,000 for senior-level ($text{GS-13}$) or supervisory roles.