Lead Health Technician Ophthalmology

Veterans Health Administration • Winter Park, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Ophthalmology Technicians in the Orlando VA Healthcare System support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care, and patient counseling. At the GS-9 lead level, the Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs difficult ophthalmic technical duties with considerable latitude for independent judgment and oversees specific services within the ophthalmology clinic.

The Lead Health Technician makes work assignments, monitors workflow and work accuracy, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues, and helps maintain efficient patient care. The position may include training eye care staff, students, or trainees and providing input on advancements, promotions, and disciplinary actions. The technician responds to staff ophthalmologists and the supervisory technician or designated administrative supervisor, who provide daily supervision and guidance.

The technician plans and carries out examinations consistent with training and accepted practices; may independently recommend clinical actions, procedures, or procedural changes in some situations; identifies conditions that may cause erroneous results or dangerous situations; and may troubleshoot clinic problems and complex instruments. The role also resolves most patient-related differences, coordinates work with others, and interprets policies such as eligibility for prosthetic devices.

Work schedule: Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• One year of experience in a health care field; or two years of education above high school with at least six semester hours directly related to a health care field, or an associate degree in a health care-related field; or a qualifying combination of experience and education.
• All applicants must hold Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) certification from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO), subject to the stated grandfathering provision for qualifying current VHA employees.
• For GS-9: one year of experience equivalent to GS-8.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance and plan, organize, and coordinate Health Technician (Ophthalmology) activities, including distributing workload and monitoring work status, progress, and accuracy.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills to meet program objectives, including preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to different organizational levels.
• Demonstrate the ability to assist with Health Technician (Ophthalmology) development, outcome management, and strategic planning.
• Demonstrate the ability to act as a liaison among Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) to resolve informal employee complaints and concerns.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and required background/security investigation; selected applicants must complete onboarding requirements and applicable drug screening.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Meet the stated physical capabilities, including visual acuity, color distinction, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, and the ability to perform required movements and occasional lifting, positioning, or transferring of patients or objects of 45 pounds and over.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.

Responsibilities

• Make work assignments and monitor workflow, work status, progress, and accuracy.
• Provide input on employee performance and resolve daily workplace issues.
• Maintain an efficient flow of patient care.
• Train eye care staff, students, and/or trainees, as needed.
• Provide input regarding special advancements, promotions, and disciplinary actions, as needed.
• Respond to the needs of staff ophthalmologists, the supervisory technician, or another designated administrative supervisor.
• Plan and carry out examinations consistent with training and accepted practices.
• Make recommendations about clinical situations, procedures, or procedural changes in some situations.
• Recognize conditions that may cause erroneous results or create dangerous situations, and troubleshoot clinic problems and complex instruments as needed.
• Resolve most differences that arise with patients, coordinate work with others, and interpret policies such as eligibility for prosthetic devices.
• Assist with Health Technician (Ophthalmology) development, outcome management, and strategic planning.
• Act as a liaison between Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) to resolve informal employee complaints and concerns.
• Communicate effectively to meet program objectives, including preparing reports and presenting data to organizational levels.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed