Supervisory Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Houston, TX seeks a Supervisory Health Technician (Ophthalmology) to lead Ophthalmology Health Technicians and coordinate with ophthalmology residents.

The role emphasizes clinical leadership, staff supervision, and program management within Eye Clinic operations. Responsibilities include directing work assignments, monitoring performance, and performing Ophthalmic duties (imaging, diagnostics) to maintain clinic efficiency and high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required; non-citizens may be appointed only when allowed by VA policy
• English language proficiency in speaking and writing as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• Experience and education: 1 year in health-care field or 2 years post-high school with relevant health-care coursework or related degree
• COA certification required for this occupation (or preferred) per VA qualification standards
• GS-10 grade determination and supervisory KSAs including leadership, workload management, and policy development

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and supervision of Ophthalmology Health Technicians and oversee interactions with ophthalmology residents
• Oversee assignment of work, monitor clinical performance, conduct appraisals, and manage staff development
• Perform ophthalmic technical duties (patient workups, imaging, visual fields, OCT) and ensure efficient clinic flow
• Ensure compliance with accrediting bodies, regulatory requirements, and quality management programs
• Develop policies, manage documents, and coordinate interdepartmental relations to meet medical center goals

Skills

Leadership

Supervisory experience

Communication

Policy development

Education

Certified Ophthalmic Technician (C.O.T)

Associate's degree or health-care related degree

Tools

EMR systems

Job description

Summary

The Supervisory Health Technician (Ophthalmology) is responsible for the supervision - administrative management - direction of Ophthalmology Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) and supervises interactions with affiliate ophthalmology residents.

The Supervisory Health Technician (Ophthalmology) is responsible for the supervision - administrative management - direction of Ophthalmology Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) and supervises interactions with affiliate ophthalmology residents.

Qualifications

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
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• 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 healthcare 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)
• 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: Supervisory Health Technician (Ophthalmology) - GS-10 Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA)
• In addition to meeting the all KSAs for the GS-10 grade level - the candidate must demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSA designated by an asterisk (*)
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Certified Ophthalmic Technician (C.O.T)
• Supervisory Experience 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-10
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

• The Supervisory Health Technician (Ophthalmology) in the Optometry Care Service provides both leadership and direct patient care to support high-quality ophthalmic services within the Eye Clinic
• Primary duties include - but are not limited to: Supervisors may perform other complex assignments and program management duties such as overseeing the integration between ophthalmic medical devices and the electronic medical record system
• Responsible for the supervision - administrative management - direction of ophthalmology staff - and supervises interactions of Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) with affiliate ophthalmology residents
• Typical duties include preparing work assignments - monitoring clinical performances of ophthalmology staff - volunteers - and/or students - conducting performance appraisals - and other clinical and administrative responsibilities to ensure that the mission of the service and the medical center has been satisfied
• Works in partnership with the Lead Health Technician - who makes daily work assignments - monitors workflow - and coordinates task distribution
• ensures alignment of assignments with service priorities - compliance requirements - and operational goals
• Provides direct patient care as part of routine clinic operations by functioning as a working supervisor
• Independently performs ophthalmic technical duties-including patient workups - diagnostic imaging - visual field testing - OCT - and equipment troubleshooting-to maintain effective clinic flow - support technicians - and ensure high-quality care delivery
• Assures compliance with accrediting agency and regulatory requirements - and the quality management program - assuring corrective action is initiated as needed
• Assures orientation and competency assessment of assigned staff
• Develops policies and procedures
• manages document control
• develops performance standards - position descriptions and functional statements
• and is responsible for professional and administrative management of an assigned area to include budget execution
• Maintains interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals
• May have overall responsibility for planning - assessing - and evaluating programs to ensure proper coordination between care delivered by the program and overall delivery of healthcare within the facility - or coordination of non-VA care as appropriate
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 580 - 01193 - F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required