Summary The incumbent under the guidance of the Service and Section Chiefs, will assist the Section Chiefs in the coordination of all aspects of Optometry Services at the Hefner VA Medical Center's (VAMC's) Eye clinics located in Charlotte, Kernersville, or Salisbury, N.C. The incumbents facilitate the day-to-day operation of the assigned Optometry Section eye clinics. Responsibilities The duties of the Lead Health Technician (Optometry) include, but are not limited to: Lead Duties: Equitably and fairly distributes and balances workload among employees in accordance with the clinical demand for optimum clinical efficiency. Monitors the timely accomplishment of assigned workloads and informs the Section Chief within 24 hours if problems arise in the timely and accurate completion of assigned duties. Educates the optometry technicians about job techniques, specific tasks, equipment requirements, and as needed provides written instructions, reference materials, and supplies. Provides on-the-job training to new employees in accordance with established and accepted procedures and practices and informs new employees about the clinic processes. Resolves simple, informal concerns expressed by employees or stakeholders and refers complex concerns to the supervisor for guidance. Clinic Administrative Support and Coordination: In coordination with the Section Chief and Service Chief, the Lead Optometry Technician plans, organizes and coordinates activities of the clinic for timely and efficient care. Manages and prioritizes workflow for optometric care assessing the following: urgency, appropriateness of exam/appointment, the veterans' need, and the clinic schedule. Monitors the Secure Messaging, promotes a phone triage screening process for Veterans (i.e., Secure Messaging) , and trains the ophthalmic technicians in their role in handling secure messaging. Facilitates the Eye Clinic scheduling by working with the hospital scheduling department and clinic clerks to ensure timely efficient scheduling of eye patients as needed. Works with the Pharmacy Service and the Sterile Processing Services (SPS) Staff to ensure that adequate supplies are in each clinic exam room for staff and patient usage. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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 and Education. (1) 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 (2) 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 (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below: (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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Lead Health Technician (Optometry), GS-08 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 assign, coordinate and oversee health technician (optometry) daily duties, tasks and other responsibilities as appropriate. (b) Ability to provide and/or monitor staff education and training activities, including interdisciplinary training as necessary. (c) Ability to manage and oversee eye clinic RME disinfection activities that include researching manufacturers' cleaning and disinfection recommendations, ordering appropriate RME related supplies, as well as ensuring health technician (optometry) clinic staff RME competency. (d) Ability to address and resolve patient complaints and/or concerns and addressing patient health technician (optometry) relationships. (e) Ability to develop and train health technicians (optometry) to ensure competency in performance of eye and vision care duties, activities and tasks. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must be of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. The lead health technician (optometry) carries additional responsibilities that involve the oversight of specific services within the eye clinic. The lead health technician (optometry) leads three or more health technician (optometry), GS-07 positions and assists with technician oversight duties by carrying out a combination of the following, or similar, duties sufficient to ensure work assignments are carried out by team members: making work assignments, monitoring work flow, providing input on performance and maintaining efficient flow of patient care. The lead health technician (optometry) provides training to optometry staff, students and/or trainees and may provide input into special advancements, promotions and disciplinary actions. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: The individual must be able to work for sustained periods under pressure. Heavy clinics will occasionally require long hours under hectic conditions, and the ability to be flexible in regards to patient need is critical. More specifically, the position requires the operation of several different devices under dim illumination for the examination of patients. These generally require that the operator sit opposite the patient, using one hand to support the eyelids in the static position while the body, head, and other hand of the operator must be able to shift positions sometimes rapidly to obtain the optimal picture field during an angiography procedure. In addition, the operator's eye is employed in this arrangement and the combination of static position and adjusting movements can be stressful and tiring. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.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/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.