Optician – Honolulu - VA Pacific Islands Health Care System

Dynamic Planning and Response • Honolulu, HI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Dynamic Planning & Response LLC (DP&R) is building a candidate pool for anticipated future contract work providing optician services to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System. Employment is contingent upon contract award and Government funding; no employment offer or start date is guaranteed before award. If awarded, work is anticipated to begin in early January 2027, under one base year with up to four option years at the Government's discretion. Final offers are contingent on a favorable VA background investigation and completion of VA onboarding requirements.

The full-time position involves measuring, fitting, dispensing, and repairing eyeglasses for Veterans at VA optical shops across Hawaii. Opticians fill prescriptions written by VA Optometry and Ophthalmology providers, track eyewear orders through fabrication, and serve as Veterans' primary contact for eyewear. Opticians do not enter or create prescriptions.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM, with the last patient at 3:30 PM. Work is not scheduled on the 10 federal holidays unless approved in advance. The VA may request occasional extended hours or Saturdays. Travel expenses for the traveling position are covered by DP&R.

Work is performed onsite in VA optical shops furnished by the VA. DP&R provides dispensing tools and supplies. Opticians must wear identification and dress professionally on VA grounds. Absences must be reported to DP&R to arrange coverage, and planned leave requires at least four weeks' notice. The traveling position requires inter-island air travel about twice a month and independent work at remote clinics.

Requirements

• Current, unrestricted Hawaii dispensing optician license, or ability to obtain one before starting.
• Training in ophthalmic dispensing and demonstrated skill in lensometry, pupillary-distance measurement, frame adjustment, and verification of complex prescriptions.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Basic computer skills, including experience with electronic health records and Excel.
• Ability to pass a VA background investigation (Public Trust, typically Low Risk) and obtain a VA PIV card.
• Willingness to complete required VA training before starting and annually thereafter, including Cyber Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior, Privacy and HIPAA, I CARE Core Values, Exceptional Customer Service, and Own the Moment.
• Complete employment history with no unexplained gaps for federal background forms.
• For the traveling position: ability to fly inter-island about twice a month and work independently at remote clinics.

Nice To Haves

• ABO (American Board of Opticianry) certification.
• Two or more years of optician experience, ideally in a VA, military, or high-volume clinical optical shop.
• Experience with VA VistA or CPRS.
• Current VA PIV card or a favorable federal background investigation that may transfer.
• Veteran or military spouse status; Veterans and military spouses are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and dispense prescriptions, including complex lenses, multifocals, high corrections, and prism.
• Measure distance and near pupillary distances using a pupillometer and take frame, facial, and segment-height measurements.
• Recommend frames and lens selections, including materials, coatings, and tints, based on each Veteran's prescription and lifestyle.
• Fit and adjust eyewear, including nose pads, optical centers, and segment heights, and manage non-tolerance cases.
• Perform minor eyewear repairs, such as replacing screws and nose pads.
• Verify finished eyewear against prescriptions using a lensometer, lens clock, and calipers, within tolerance.
• Identify prescription anomalies or possible errors, such as anisometropia or aniseikonia, and refer them to the eye clinic.
• Confirm that frames, lenses, and prism were supplied as ordered before dispensing.
• Enter frame and measurement data in the VA VistA system and confirm each order has a Prosthetics purchase order.
• Transmit orders securely to the lab and track them weekly through fabrication and receipt.
• Notify Veterans when glasses are ready, make and document three contact attempts within seven days, and mail glasses when needed.
• Follow up with no-show patients and document all contacts in the consult and electronic phone log.
• Report issues promptly to the VA Clinical Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
• Treat Veterans, families, and VA staff with courtesy and respect, resolve concerns constructively, and answer questions about eyeglasses and orders in person and by phone.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits in line with the applicable Service Contract Act wage determination for Honolulu.
• Travel expenses for the traveling position are covered by DP&R.

What This Job Offers

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