Clarification from the agency

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES
Optometry Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Optometrists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling and higher-level administrative duties of significant scope. The Full Performance Supervisory Health Technician (Optometry) performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures, assists during clinic-based surgical procedures, educates patients and legal representatives, assists with the education of medical students and residents. The Full Performance Supervisory Health Technician (Optometry) may perform many "direct patient care services" under the supervision of Optometrist. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must be of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. This assignment is established for facilities with a clinical structure that does not include a lead and/or advanced level assignment(s). The supervisory health technicians (optometry) supervise, administratively manage and direct the health technician (optometry) clinical staff. Individuals in this position plan and direct programs at VA medical facility eye clinics and have supervisory responsibility for a staff of health technicians (optometry) up to the full performance level. Typically these duties include assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff, resolving problems which may interfere with patient examination or treatment, providing optometry services in more complex and non-standard cases, making recommendations which would improve clinic operations, participating in facility clinical training programs as assigned, participating in selection of eye clinic staff applicants, evaluation of performance, taking disciplinary action when necessary and identifying educational or training needs. At this level, assignments include coordination of care, program evaluation and analysis, as well as budgetary issues and planning. The supervisors assure orientation and competency assessment of assigned health technician (optometry) clinic staff. The supervisors maintain interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish VA medical facility goals.

FUNCTIONS OF ASSIGNED DUTIES

• Travel as needed to other VANEOHS Optometry Clinics.

• Assist with patient movement and clinic flow.

• Ensure proper cleaning, disinfection, and restocking of exam rooms; practice infection control and hygiene with medical/ophthalmic equipment.

• Facilitate patient scheduling, triage, and follow-up; communicate with clinic staff.

• Obtain and document patient ophthalmic/medical information in electronic notes.

• Apply knowledge of eye anatomy, basic/advanced triage, eyeglass fitting, and ophthalmic medications.

• Educate patients on eye health, vision conditions, and contact lens care.

• Accurately enter and interpret refractive data (phoropter/lensometer) and perform key visual assessments (acuity, accommodation, convergence, ocular alignment).

• Dispense and fit spectacles, including frame/lens measurements.

• Assist providers during diagnostic and treatment procedures: visual field, color vision, corneal and ocular measurements, imaging, and cultures.

• Train and oversee health technician staff; conduct staff education and interdisciplinary training.

• Supervise RME disinfection; research/recommend cleaning protocols and supplies.

• Address patient complaints/concerns; resolve health technician-patient issues.

• Manage, evaluate, and assign staff; oversee competency, performance, and development.

• Analyze clinic processes for quality, efficiency, and productivity improvements.

• Act as liaison for coordination between optometry and other VA programs; support care access and planning.

• Demonstrate leadership, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills with staff and management

Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday - Friday, Variable at supervisor's discretion
Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized at supervisor's discretion
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 541-91754-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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).

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.
• Experience/Education:
  • Experience. One year of experience as a health technician or assistant in the health care field demonstrating the applicant's ability to perform the work or by demonstrating a basic understanding of work in the health care field; OR
  • Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school with a minimum of 12 semester hours related to health technician/assistant or health technician (optometry)/assistant or associate degree, or completion of an independent study course in an optometry related technician or assistant field; OR
  • Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below:
    • Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge of optometry assistant theory and practices and general understanding of the health technician/assistant duties and one year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health technician/assistant or health technician (optometry)/assistant related courses; OR
    • Successful completion of a course for health care technicians or assistants, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training in a program given by the U.S. Armed Forces, the U.S. Maritime Service, or the U.S. Public Health Service, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: GS-09

• Experience -You must have one year experience equivalent to the GS-8 grade level. Examples of GS-08 level experience may include but are not limited to: higher level duties must be of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. The lead health technician (optometry) carries additional responsibilities that involve the oversight of specific services within the eye clinic. The lead health technician (optometry) leads three or more health technician (optometry), GS-07 level positions and assists with technician oversight duties by carrying out a combination of the following, or similar, duties sufficient to ensure work assignments are carried out by team members: making work assignments, monitoring work flow, providing input on performance and maintaining efficient flow of patient care. The lead health technician (optometry) provides training to optometry staff, students and/or trainees and may provide input into special advancements, promotions and disciplinary actions.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, competency assessments, performance evaluations, selection of staff and recommendation of awards, advancements and when appropriate, disciplinary actions.
  • Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data and make recommendations to optimize quality, efficiency, performance and productivity within the eye clinic.
  • Advanced understanding of interdisciplinary issues and organizational structure to serve as liaison between optometry and other programs that would affect coordination of care, healthcare access, program evaluation, as well as assessment and planning for future need.
  • Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills, including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution, to deal with employees, team leaders and managers.

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-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9.

Physical Requirements: The Incumbent must have dexterity & agility to handle fragile eyeglasses & contact lenses as well as microscopic instruments. The work is at times sedentary; and ambulation between various examination/treatment rooms is also required. The work requires some physical exertion such as lifting and assisting wheelchair patients into examination chairs or chairs positioned in front of the ophthalmic imaging equipment. It is also required that the technician be able to operate equipment with one hand while holding the patients' eyelids open with the other. The incumbent will also frequently spend extended periods standing and bending over in the Eye Clinic. The work area is pleasant but at times noisy due to the volume of waiting patients or ophthalmic instrument noises. Occasionally, it is necessary to deal with disruptive patients. Risk normally associated with an Eye Clinic/hospital/direct patient care are present. The primary working environment is the Eye Clinic. Within that environment, the technician will be working with patients who have serious and communicable diseases such as AIDS, TB, Hepatitis C, and herpetic lesions. The position will require adherence and practice of hospital infection control protocols with special knowledge about the seriousness and transmission of these and other diseases. During these encounters the employee must take safety precautions, such as gloving and masking, in dealing with these patients.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Areas of Consideration - Applicants will be considered based on the following areas of consideration.

• First Area of Consideration (Facility Employees) - Current, permanent VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System employees (this includes Outpatient Clinics, permanent employees of the Veteran Canteen Service assigned to this facility, Office of Information & Technology employees assigned to this facility, CPAC bargaining unit employees located at the Cleveland VAMC, and Virtual CBOPC bargaining unit employees under station 541 located at the Cleveland VAMC.
• Second Area of Consideration (Other VA Employees) - Current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees (VA employees who are located at other VA medical centers).
• Third Area of Consideration - All other qualified US citizens.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.