Health Technician; Optometry

Summary

Optometry Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) perform technical clinical care to aid in the diagnosis ‑ treatment ‑ follow‑up and counseling of patients who have received care provided by Optometrists or Ophthalmologists.

• 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
• Licensure/Certification/Registration:
  None
• Foreign
  
  Education:
  
  To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs
• English Language Proficiency:
  Health Technician (Optometry) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Grandfathering Provision:
  All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply:
  • (1) They may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
  • (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
  • (3) Health Technicians (Optometry) who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re‑entry to the occupation
• Grade Determinations:
  Health Technician (Optometry) - GS‑04 (Experience none beyond the basic requirements) — GS‑05 (One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade and KSAs) — GS‑06 (One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade and KSAs) — GS‑07 (One year of experience comparable to the next lower level and KSAs)
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Previous Optometry and/or Ophthalmology Clinic Experience preferred. Reference: For more information…