Lead Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 38 U.S.C. 7407(d).

02Experience 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.

Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.

03Certification

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). 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).

In addition to the basic requirements for employment above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

04Grade Determinations

Lead Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-09 Experience: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-08 grade level, Experience includes: Provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities of a Health Technician (Ophthalmology); Distributing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, monitoring accuracy of work; Preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels; Resolve informal employee complaints and concerns; Making work assignments, monitoring workflow, providing input on performance assessments, resolving daily workplace issues, and maintaining efficient flow of patient care; Providing training to eye care staff, students and/or trainees; assisting with development, outcome management, and strategic planning of Health Technician (Ophthalmology).

AND, In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): 1. Ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities of a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) in order to effectively complete job duties of assignment such as distributing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, monitoring accuracy of work, etc. 2.

Ability to communicate effectively in order to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels. 3. Ability to assist in Health Technician (Ophthalmology) development, outcome management, and strategic planning. 4. Ability to act as liaison between Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) to resolve informal employee complaints and concerns.

ASSIGNMENT: The Lead Health Technician (Ophthalmology) carries additional responsibilities that involve the oversight of specific services within the ophthalmology clinic. The Lead Health Technician (Ophthalmology) may assist with technician oversight duties including: making work assignments, monitoring work flow, providing input on performance, resolving daily workplace issues, and maintaining efficient flow of patient care.

They may provide training to eye care staff, students and/or trainees; and may provide input into special advancements, promotions, and disciplinary actions. 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-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09.

05Physical Requirements

Work is primarily sedentary but may include long periods of standing, sitting and some walking and bending. Time will be spent at a computer terminal performing various keyboard functions. While work is not extremely physical in nature the incumbent will work under pressure with multiple tasks, changing priorities and stringent deadlines. Work is performed in an indoor clinic setting with close proximity to patients with varied medical and or mental health needs/conditions.

Incumbent is not generally subject to unusual exposure risk or discomforts, but certain safety precautions may be necessary. The work is generally performed in a temperature-controlled environment with adequate lighting throughout the clinic

Works with a team to provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities of a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) to effectively complete assignment duties. Distributing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, monitoring accuracy of work, etc. Preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels. Acting as a liaison between Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) to resolve informal employee complaints and concerns.

Assist with Health Technician (Ophthalmology) development, outcome management, and strategic planning. Performs difficult ophthalmic technical duties with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment, involve the oversight of specific services within the ophthalmology clinic. Providing input on performance assessments, resolving daily workplace issues, and maintaining efficient flow of patient care.

Providing training to eye care staff, students and/or trainees; as well as, providing input into special advancements, promotions, and disciplinary actions. Ensures compliance with VA policies and exceeding the expectations of patients. Perform all other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 01912F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized