Health Technician (Optometry)

Indian Health Service • Gallup, NM

10d

About The Position

The Health Technician (Optometry) is located within the Clinical Branch at Gallup Indian Medical Center. The role provides technical and patient-care support for optometry and ophthalmology services. The incumbent prepares patients for examinations, performs established ophthalmic procedures and tests independently within defined protocols, provides optical dispensing support, and maintains clinical documentation.

The technician conducts patient intake and ophthalmic screening, takes vital signs, obtains medical and ocular histories, and performs a range of ophthalmic tests and measurements. The role also supports providers during examinations and procedures, maintains and routes patient records, contributes to audits and performance-improvement activities, and performs optical dispensing tasks such as measuring frames, verifying prescriptions, repairing frames, advising patients on eyewear, and processing spectacle orders.

Requirements

• Meet the applicable specialized-experience or education requirements for the grade level. For GS-5, the posting requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, a qualifying four-year bachelor's course of study with a major or at least 24 semester hours in directly related subjects, or an allowable combination of education and experience.
• For GS-5, qualifying experience includes performing optometry-requested tests independently of direct supervision, using pharmacological agents properly, ordering and verifying glasses prescriptions, troubleshooting prescriptions, repairing glasses independently, educating patients about glasses and contact-lens adaptation and use, and performing office-management tasks using computer software and clerical organizational skills.
• For GS-6, the posting requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Qualifying experience includes performing optometry-requested tests without supervision, using pharmacological agents properly, managing glasses prescriptions and repairs, educating patients about glasses and contact lenses, managing clinic optical activities and repair-supply orders, training staff, coordinating eye-care programs with departments and outside agencies, and paraoptometric certification or knowledge of the American Optometric Association's four levels of optometric staff certification.
• Federal competitive-service merit-promotion candidates must meet the time-in-grade requirement of one year at the next lower grade. Time-in-grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan.
• Meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Set up direct deposit.
• Successfully complete a federal background investigation and submit required investigation forms within five calendar days of issuance.
• Meet the stated financial suitability requirements, including financial responsibility and satisfaction of legal financial obligations.
• Before appointment, present two valid forms of identification; a state-issued ID or driver's license used as one of them must be REAL ID-compliant.
• Selectees may be subject to a probationary period; ESEP appointees typically serve a two-year trial period.
• Applicants substituting education for experience are encouraged to provide transcripts or a course list; official transcripts are required from selectees before an official offer.
• Foreign education used to meet qualifications must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• The position requires contact or control over Indian children and is subject to the applicable Public Law 101-630 suitability requirement.
• Selectees working permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy, subject to the policy's exemption process.

Responsibilities

• Perform patient intake, obtain vital signs and medical and ocular histories, interview patients of all ages, review relevant health information, and obtain prior eye-care information from outside healthcare sources as needed.
• Conduct ophthalmic tests and measurements in accordance with established protocols and provider instructions, including visual acuity and field testing, ocular motility, pupillary response, interpupillary distance, lens neutralization, tonometry, color and depth perception, pachymetry, autorefraction, Amsler grid testing, and other assigned optical tests.
• Perform established tests independently within defined protocols.
• Assist providers during examinations and procedures by positioning patients' heads or eyelids, preparing patients, rooms, instruments, and supplies, and cleaning designated areas before and after procedures.
• Retrieve, organize, route, and return patient records, and use electronic health record systems and other automated applications.
• Collect and maintain data, conduct chart reviews, prepare records for audits and performance-improvement activities, and maintain tracking logs for specialty clinics and ocular conditions.
• Measure frames, verify spectacle prescriptions, repair damaged frames, and complete basic optical bench work.
• Advise patients on appropriate lens materials, lens options, and frame selection.
• Process spectacle orders, prepare required documentation, provide price quotes, maintain order records for accounting purposes, and verify Medicaid and other eyeglass-program eligibility.
• Assist dispensary staff with optical services and related duties as needed.

Benefits

• IHS offers a total compensation package; the posting directs applicants to its Health Technician Total Compensation information.
• Annual leave accrual is 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period, based on years of federal service.
• IHS may credit newly appointed federal employees for directly related prior non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual-leave accrual.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level