Health Technician (Optometry)

The position is located within Gallup Indian Medical Center, Clinical Branch. The purpose of this position is to provide technical and patient care support for optometry and ophthalmology services. The incumbent prepares patients for examination, independently performing established ophthalmic procedures and tests, providing optical dispensing support and maintaining clinical documentation.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:
Health Technician Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

• Performs patient intake, vital signs, and ophthalmic screening by obtaining relevant medical and ocular histories, interviewing patients of all ages, reviewing pertinent health information, and obtaining prior eye care information from outside healthcare sources as needed.
• Conducts a full range of 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. Performs established tests independently within defined protocols.
• Assists the provider during exams and procedures by position patients head or eyelids during, preparing patients, examination rooms, instruments and supplies; cleaning designated areas before and after procedures.
• Retrieves, organizes, routes, and returns patient records and uses electronic health record systems and other automated applications. Collects and maintains data, conducts chart reviews, prepares records for audits and performance improvement activities, and maintains tracking logs for specialty clinics and ocular conditions.
• Performs frame measurements, verifies spectacle prescriptions, repairs damaged frames, and completes basic optical bench work. Advises patients on appropriate lens materials, lens options, and frame selection. Processes spectacle orders, including preparing required documentation, providing price quotes, maintaining order records for accounting purposes, and verifying Medicaid and other eyeglass program eligibility. Assists dispensary staff with optical services and related duties as needed.

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):

Individual Occupational Requirements

Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled.

OR

Education and Training

For GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks:
GS-05:Perform tests requested by an optometrist with thorough understanding of the protocol and not requiring direct supervision (such as entry testing, visual fields, retinal photography, ocular coherence tomography, tonopen tonometry, color vision, depth perception, pachymetry, autorefraction, Amsler Grid testing); proper use of pharmacological agents; order, verify, and troubleshoot glasses prescriptions; repair glasses independently; educate patients about glasses and contact lens adaptation and use; act as an office manager by using computer software and clerical organizational skills.
OR
4-year course study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subject directly related to the position.
OR
Combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify.

• For GS-5 level positions, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. Determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level. Then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the education that meets the requirements for GS-5. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-5.

GS-06: Perform tests requested by an optometrist with thorough understanding of the protocol and not requiring any supervision (such as entry testing, visual fields, retinal photography, ocular coherence tomography, tonopen tonometry, color vision, depth perception, pachymetry, autorefraction, Amsler Grid testing); proper use of pharmacological agents; order, verify, and troubleshoot glasses prescriptions; repair glasses independently; educate patients about glasses and contact lens adaptation and use; act as an office manager by using computer software and clerical organizational skills; manage all optical activities of the clinic including ordering repair supplies; provide training to other staff members; coordinate the eye care program with other departments and outside agencies; paraoptometric certification or knowledge of the subject material for the four levels of certification of optometric staff via the American Optometric Association.

Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

If you are substituting education for experience; You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

A valid driver's license is required.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation Requirement:
This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.
A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.
Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement:
This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.
Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).
Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.