Health Technician (Optometry)

About the Position: This position is located at 28th Medical Group, Ellsworth Air Force Base, in South Dakota.

This is a Direct Hire Solicitation.

Educate aviators on current approved soft contact lens options and contact lens solutions. | Review medical records for previous visual acuity assessments and updates patient’s visual status. | Conduct specialized testing to meet the visual needs, requirements, and demands for Flying Class, occupational, and special aircrew vision positions. | Counsel patients on optometry policies and procedures that are outlined in applicable instructions. | Perform eye patching, irrigation, and other duties for injuries as directed by an optometrist. | Perform user maintenance on clinic equipment as recommended by manufacturer/warranty.

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirements for Health Technician (Optometry) GS-06:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes operating optometry equipment, screening optometry patients for common ophthalmic emergencies, and conducting various vision tests, such as color and depth perception tests. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR

Education: A half year (i.e., 9 semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as Optometry, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, or other related fields.
OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 9. Add the two percentages.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. | A Personnel Security Investigation is required. | This position is a Testing Designated Position subject to pre-employment screening and random drug testing. Selectees will be required to consent to participation in random drug urinalysis testing. | Selectees may be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or must provide a recognized exemption. | Must be able to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.