Summary Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. At the GS-10 Supervisory Level, the Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs difficult ophthalmic technical duties with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment in Complexity Level I (High Complexity) or in facilities of lesser complexity where large ophthalmology services are found. Responsibilities Major duties included but not limited to: The GS-10 Supervisory Ophthalmology Technician will respond to the needs of the staff ophthalmologists. Independent work is an integral part of the position. The technician plans and carries out examinations in line with training and accepted practices, and independently makes recommendations about clinical situations, procedures or changes to procedures in some situations. The providers must be able to accept the technician's assessment without rechecking the work. The technician uses methods, recognizes conditions that cause erroneous results or creates dangerous situations, and may independently troubleshoot clinic problems and complex instruments. The technician resolves most differences that arise with patients, coordinates work with others as necessary and interprets policy such as eligibility for prosthetic devices. The supervisory ophthalmology technician assists with maintaining an efficient flow of patient care. The supervisory ophthalmology technician is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of Health Technician (Ophthalmology) auxiliary staff. May be delegated full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the Health Technician (Ophthalmology) staff activities for the service or equivalent unit at an independent outpatient clinic. The supervisory ophthalmology technician is ultimately responsible to the Clinical Nurse Manager and the Chief of Ophthalmology. Other Duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Supervisory Health Technician/PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements 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 probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment Evaluation with Employee Occupational Health. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Basic Requirements: Experience and Education Experience. One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to nursing, medical assistant, or health technician. OR Education. Two years above high school with a minimum of six semester hours directly related to a health care field or associate's degree in a health care related degree. OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below:(a) Six months of experience in the health care field; and one year above high school; or(b) Six months of experience in the health care field and successful completion of a course for health care technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or ophthalmology technicians given by the U.S. Armed Forces; or(c) Six months of experience in the health care field and completion of an independent study course in Ophthalmic Medical Assisting. Certification. All applicants must be certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). The COA certification is JCAHPO's entry-level certification examination for a Health Technician (Ophthalmology). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1.Knowledge of anatomy and function of the eye and basic ocular pharmacology. 2. Knowledge of outpatient eye care policies and procedures in a health care environment. 3. Ability to use basic ophthalmic diagnostic equipment to perform preliminary ocular testing. 4. Ability to perform minor extraocular surgical assisting. 5. Ability to provide eye care patient education. Grade Determinations: Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-5 (Entry Level) Experience or Education: None Beyond the Basic Requirements Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-6 (Developmental Level 1) Experience: One year of Experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-7 (Developmental Level 2) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-8 (Full Performance Level) Experience: Must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): 1. Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation. 2. Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens. 3. Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting. 4. Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology. 5. Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye.6. Knowledge of optics. 7. Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment. Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-9 (Advanced Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-8 grade level Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1.Knowledge of advanced clinical optics, advanced ocular motility, advanced diagnostic testing, and microbiology testing. 2.Knowledge of ophthalmic surgical instruments. 3.Knowledge of appropriate preparatory cleaning of reusable medical equipment. 4.Ability to assist in ophthalmic surgical procedures performed in the main operation room. Supervisory Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-10 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). 1.Ability to work independently to set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within the service. 2.Ability to develop policy, manage equipment requests, and provide workload analysis in Ophthalmology Service 3.Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal with employees, team members, managers and other departments 4.Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties which includes 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/98, Part II, Appendix G52, Health Technician (Ophthalmology) Physical Requirements: The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) needs to be mobile in that the job requires: sitting, walking, standing, and bending. Work requires trips often from employee's work-site to other areas throughout the Medical Center. The Health Technician will be performing eye screening examinations utilizing specialized equipment. The Health Technician must be able to record the findings in the computerized records system and be able to communicate with patients and other staff on a continual basis. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.