Supervisory Health Technician

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 a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. Experience and Education (1) Experience.

One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to nursing, medical assistant, or health technician. OR (2) 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 (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.

Examples are listed below: 2 (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. c.

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). (1) Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements may be appointed as a graduate Health Technician (Ophthalmology) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B).

The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) that provides care under the supervision of an Ophthalmologist. The exception only applies below the full performance level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level the candidate must be certified.

Failure to obtain COA certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment and may result in termination of employment 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). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The incumbent reports to the GS-11 Health Technician Program Coordinator (Ophthalmology), who provides second-level supervision and program-wide oversight of ophthalmic technician operations. The incumbent is responsible for daily technical, administrative, and supervisory management of assigned Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) and related ophthalmic support staff at the main medical center and/or assigned Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) locations.

The incumbent works collaboratively with ophthalmologists, optometrists, residents, fellows, schedulers, nurses, the GS-11 Program Coordinator, Surgical Service administrative staff, Sterile Processing Service, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacy, Infection Control, and other support services. Exercises first-line supervisory authority over assigned Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) and other assigned ophthalmic support staff.

Plans, schedules, and assigns work based on clinic priorities, staff skills, workload, patient care needs, and available resources. Establishes daily work assignments; monitors staffing, leave, time and attendance, and schedule coverage; and coordinates staffing adjustments with the GS-11 Program Coordinator when needs or shortfalls exceed local resources Develops, communicates, and evaluates performance standards for assigned employees. Provides ongoing feedback, coaching, and instruction.

Identifies training and competency needs; develops remediation plans; documents performance concerns; and recommends awards, within-grade increases, promotions, reassignments, disciplinary actions, or other personnel actions as appropriate. Interviews candidates and makes recommendations regarding selections and promotions in accordance with merit system principles. Hears and resolves routine employee complaints; refers unresolved conflicts and complex personnel issues to higher-level management.

Maintains expert practical knowledge of ophthalmology technician duties, ocular anatomy and physiology, visual physiology, optics, ocular pathology, common ophthalmic conditions, and clinical workflows. Provides technical guidance and instruction to staff regarding ophthalmic testing, patient preparation, clinical documentation, medication handling within scope, and diagnostic testing. Coordinates initial and ongoing competency assessments for assigned staff.

Participates in quality improvement, performance improvement, patient safety, and internal review activities. Provides clinical back-up or direct Health Technician (Ophthalmology) services when required by staffing or patient care needs. The incumbent reports to the GS-11 Health Technician Program Coordinator (Ophthalmology), who provides second-level supervision, program-wide coordination, and overall technical and administrative oversight.

The GS-10 supervisor receives assignments in terms of overall objectives, clinic priorities, service requirements, and expected outcomes. Within delegated authority, the incumbent independently plans and carries out daily supervisory, operational, technical, and training responsibilities for the assigned ophthalmology technician team.

The incumbent resolves routine technical, staffing, workflow, and customer service problems and keeps the GS-11 Program Coordinator informed of significant developments, resource needs, staff performance issues, operational barriers, patient safety concerns, and matters requiring higher-level decision-making. Supervises: Assigned Health Technicians (Ophthalmology), GS-0640-05/06/07/08/09, and other assigned ophthalmic support staff.

Work Schedule: M-F 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible Not Approved Telework: Approved for Ad-Hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 10786F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized