Health Technician (Optician)

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/02/2026. Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR). This position has the following Individual Occupational Requirement: Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists.

Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks (One Year) at the lowest grade of GS-05.

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: providing direct patient care in an eye clinic (or similar environment); obtaining patient medical history; documenting patient medical records; scheduling appointments; performing specialized ocular screening examination/tests.

Experience working as an optician, including measuring, fitting, and adjusting eyeglasses; strong customer service skills; knowledge of optical equipment and prescriptions; experience working with veterans or in a healthcare setting is highly preferred. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

01Education

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a half year of graduate education (9 semester hours or equivalent) with a major that included courses directly related to the work of this position. Such graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelors degree which includes graduate courses directly related to the work of the position.

02Preferred Experience

Experience working as an optician, including measuring, fitting, and adjusting eyeglasses; strong customer service skills; knowledge of optical equipment and prescriptions; experience working with veterans or in a healthcare setting is highly preferred. Selective Placement Factor: Must have experience in measuring, fitting, and adjusting eyeglasses based on optical prescriptions.

Experience with a variety of optical measurements (e.g., pupillary distance, vertex distance, segment heights) and accurate interpretation of optical prescriptions. Proficiency in adjusting and repairing eyeglasses, including working with both metal and plastic frames. Demonstrated customer service skills, especially in resolving patient concerns and providing education on eyewear. Quality Ranking Factor: Experience working in a healthcare or clinical setting and/or with veteran populations.

Ability to use electronic health record systems and maintain accurate patient and inventory records. Skill in preparing detailed work orders for optical laboratories and collaborating effectively with lab technicians. Ability to multitask and manage time efficiently in a high-volume, fast paced environment. Knowledge of and ability to stay current with optical products, lens technologies, and frame styles.

English Speaking Language Required Physical Demands: Able to stand and walk around freely to assist veterans daily. Would need to be able to lift 10-15 pounds as needed on infrequent basis. You may For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major Duties include but are not limited to: Independently provides direct patient care services related to patient education, selection, ordering, verification, troubleshooting, adjustment and repair of ophthalmic lenses and eyewear. Takes measurements of interpupillary distances, optical centers, and multifocal or progressive addition lens segment heights will be accurately obtained and documented.

Adjust eyeglasses for comfortable fit and proper alignment of optical centers and segment heights for optimal visual performance and will instruct/educate patients on how to wear and care for eyeglasses. The incumbent will have the skills to repair broken or defective eyeglasses.

Acts the front-line staff member for patients with concerns regarding eyewear and will triage patient concerns by manual or automated lensometry verification, troubleshooting all optical issues and verify with that eyeglass fabrication is completed as prescribed. Consistently communicates and treats Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner and handles conflict and Veteran concerns constructively and appropriately.

Documents patient care activities properly and clearly in the patient's electronic record in a timely manner. Tracks eyeglass orders weekly for verification of receipt of consult and obtain tracking information as needed to assist the Veteran.

Notifies Veteran's when eyeglasses are ready for pickup Following appropriate infection control guidelines, cleans and disinfects equipment and sample frames, uses proper hand hygiene between patient encounters, and maintains optical space, including frame displays and fitting area. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Optician)/PD13166A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized