Supervisory Health Technician (Optometry)

Supervisory Health Tech (Optometry) supervises, manages, and directs the health technician staff up to the GS-8 level. Includes making work assignments; performing competency assessments/performance evaluations; staff selection; recommendation of awards, advancements, and, when necessary, disciplinary actions; identifying education and training needs; serving as a liaison between optometry and other programs for coordination of care and access; and making recommendations to improve operations.

Qualifications:

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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. Experience. One year of experience as a health technician or assistant in the health care field demonstrating the applicant's ability to perform the work or by demonstrating a basic understanding of work in the health care field;

OR Education:

Successful completion of two academic years above high school with a minimum of 12 semester hours related to health technician/assistant or health technician (optometry)/assistant or associate degree, or completion of an independent study course in an optometry related technician or assistant field;

OR Experience/Education Combination:

Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.

Examples are listed:

(a) Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge of optometry assistant theory and practices and general understanding of the health technician/assistant duties and one year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health technician/assistant or health technician (optometry)/assistant related courses. (b) Successful completion of a course for health care technicians or assistants, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training in a program given by the U.S. Armed Forces, the U.S. Maritime Service, or the U.S. Public Health Service, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis.

Grade Determinations :

Health Technician (Optometry), GS-9 Experience. One year of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following

KSAs:

(a) Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties which would include 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. (b) Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data and make recommendations to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within the eye clinic. (c) Advanced understanding of interdisciplinary issues and organizational structure to serve as liaison between optometry and other programs that would affect coordination of care, healthcare access, program evaluation, as well as assessment and planning for future need. (d)Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills, including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution, to deal with employees, team leaders and managers.

Grade Determinations :

This position is above the full performance level at GS 9 only.

References:

VA Handbook 5005/142, Part II, Appendix G68.