Supervisory Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

Veterans Health Administration; Murfreesboro (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration Ophthalmology Technicians support ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. At the GS-10 Supervisory Level, technicians perform difficult ophthalmic duties with substantial independent judgment in high-complexity settings.

The role requires COA certification with JCAHPO, and progression to supervisory responsibilities including assignment of work, performance evaluations, and staff development.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship and English proficiency.
• One year of experience in a health care field or two years of higher education with related health care coursework; transcripts required.
• COA certification with JCAHPO is required; provide certification proof.
• Grade level requires one year of experience at GS-9 and demonstrated KSAs.
• Ability to lead, manage and evaluate staff within Ophthalmology Service.

Responsibilities

• Support ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling.
• Perform difficult ophthalmic technical duties with independence and good judgment at High Complexity.
• Responsible for assignment of work, performance evaluations, and staff development per supervisory expectations.

Job description

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 1 (High Complexity) or in facilities of lesser complexity where large ophthalmology services are found.

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: 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). 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: Six months of experience in the health care field; and one year above high school; or 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 Six months of experience in the health care field and completion of an independent study course in Ophthalmic Medical Assisting. NOTE: Applicants must submit a copy of their transcripts.

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). NOTE: All certified applicants must provide proof of certification/ JCAHPO ID Number.

Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must meet the following grade requirements. Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment‑specific KSA designated by an asterisk (*).

• 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;
• Ability to develop policy, manage equipment requests, and provide workload analysis in Ophthalmology Service;
• Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal with employees, team members, managers and other departments;
• 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.

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 full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10.

Physical Requirements

This position requires to moderately lift and carry 15 to 44 pounds, reach above shoulders, to use fingers and both eyes, have depth perception, distinguish different shades of color, have the ability to hear (hearing aids are permitted) and the ability to access all patient care areas as required. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time, frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus, lifting and repositioning patients (60 to 200 plus pounds), and pushing or pulling heavy objects and/or equipment. This position also requires to be prepared to assist patients that need cardiac resuscitation and to help patients that code, faint, or fall.