Health Technician (Optometry)

This position is located in Indian Health Service. The primary purpose of this position is to provide technical and patient care support for optometry services by assisting with non-diagnostic clinical support activities, patient preparation, optical dispensing support, documentation, and service operations, in accordance with established policies, procedures, and professional practice standards. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-05: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: providing technical and administrative support in an optometry, ophthalmology, vision care, or healthcare setting by assisting with patient preparation for examinations and treatments; performing routine non-diagnostic clinical support activities such as preliminary vision screenings, collecting and documenting patient information, and assisting healthcare providers during patient care; documenting patient care activities in electronic or paper health records; assisting with basic optical dispensing activities, including frame selection, measurements, eyewear adjustments, and verification of optical products; cleaning, disinfecting, preparing, and maintaining optometry equipment, instruments, and examination rooms; assisting with appointment scheduling, patient intake, and maintenance of clinic records; monitoring supplies and equipment; and communicating effectively with patients and healthcare staff while following established infection control, patient privacy, and safety procedures.

Experience must demonstrate the ability to perform recurring support duties, follow established policies and procedures. OR Completion of a bachelor's degree program with a major or at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in subjects related to the position being filled. OR A combination of education and experience. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement.

GS-06: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: preparing patients for examinations; performing non-diagnostic clinical support activities and preliminary vision screenings; documenting patient information in electronic health records; assisting with optical dispensing activities such as frame measurements, eyewear adjustments, and verification of optical products; operating, cleaning, and maintaining optometry equipment and instruments; scheduling appointments and maintaining clinic records; monitoring supplies; and communicating effectively with patients and healthcare staff while following established infection control, patient privacy, and safety procedures.

Experience must demonstrate the ability to support efficient clinic operations and deliver quality patient care in accordance with established policies and procedures. Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.