Health Technician (Optician)

Major Duties include but are not limited to:

• Independently provides direct patient care services related to patient education selection ordering verification troubleshooting adjustment and repair of ophthalmic lenses and eyewear.
• Takes measurements of interpupillary distances optical centers and multifocal or progressive addition lens segment heights will be accurately obtained and documented.
• Adjust eyeglasses for comfortable fit and proper alignment of optical centers and segment heights for optimal visual performance and will instruct/educate patients on how to wear and care for eyeglasses.
• Will have the skills to repair broken or defective eyeglasses.
• Acts the front-line staff member for patients with concerns regarding eyewear and will triage patient concerns by manual or automated lensometry verification troubleshooting all optical issues and verify with that eyeglass fabrication is completed as prescribed.
• Consistently communicates and treats Veterans their representatives visitors and all VA staff in a courteous tactful and respectful manner and handles conflict and Veteran concerns constructively and appropriately.
• Documents patient care activities properly and clearly in the patients electronic record in a timely manner.
• Tracks eyeglass orders weekly for verification of receipt of consult and obtain tracking information as needed to assist the Veteran.
• Notifies Veterans when eyeglasses are ready for pickup.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am- 4:00pm
Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Optician)/PD13166A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 09/30/2026.

Specialized Experience: 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.

In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirements applicants must also meet the specialized experience requirement.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS -05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: working knowledge to design measure fit frames preparing work orders eye glass repairs record maintenance bookkeeping insurance submissions and authorization request customer service administrative duties such as inventory records tracking of orders and other administrative duties as it pertains to this health tech Optician vacancy.

• Selective Placement Factor: Must have experience in measuring fitting and adjusting eyeglasses based on optical prescriptions. Experience with a variety of optical measurements (e.g. pupillary distance vertex distance segment heights) and accurate interpretation of optical prescriptions. Proficiency in adjusting and repairing eyeglasses including working with both metal and plastic frames. Demonstrated customer service skills especially in resolving patient concerns and providing education on eyewear.

• Quality Ranking Factor: Experience working in a healthcare or clinical setting and/or with veteran populations. Ability to use electronic health record systems and maintain accurate patient and inventory records. Skill in preparing detailed work orders for optical laboratories and collaborating effectively with lab technicians. Ability to multitask and manage time efficiently in a high-volume fast paced environment. Knowledge of and ability to stay current with optical products lens technologies and frame styles.

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Required Experience:

IC