Health Technician (Optometry)

This Health Technician (Optometry) position is with Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services) in Chinle, AZ. This position is located within the Chinle Service unit, Division of Clinical Services, Optometry Department in which location of position is either in Chinle, Arizona or Pinon, Arizona. The work is to perform a variety of regular and recurring technical support and specialized ophthalmology diagnostic and treatment examination procedures that effects the well-being of the patient. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021). Key duties: • Operate and oversee optical services. Verifies spectacle prescriptions using manual and automated lensometers. Performs interpupillary distance and near measurements, monocularly and binocularly. Eyeglasses quotes, order, logs receipt, prepares monthly reports. Performs screening: visual acuity, confrontation fields, extra ocular muscle movements, pupillary reactions, lens neutralization. Screens patient, review charts and obtains ocular information. Assists eye care professional in the examination. Provides Navajo and English interpretation for optometrist and patients when needed. Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Health Technician Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) Qualifications: 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. 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-06 Work in a medical office performing patient histories, preliminary tests such as vital signs, or visual acuities, assisting providers in delivery medical treatments and entering information into an electronic health record. Is familiar with basic ocular anatomy and experience independently providing patient education on ocular conditions and treatment and transcribing eyeglass prescriptions using standard optical notation. GS-07 Work in an eyecare office, independently performing all preliminary vision tests (visual acuity, autorefraction/tonometry, color vision, stereopsis, lensometry) following protocols established by provider, recognizing and noting aberrant results. Perform specialized eye tests such as visual fields, OCT, fundus photography; independently adjusting testing IHS Revision 2026 protocol to accommodate patient's physical limitations; understands basic ocular anatomy and provide patient education on common eye conditions and treatments. Independently assist patients with eyewear selection and order and troubleshoot patient complaints about eyewear. OR Completion of 1 year (18 semester hours) of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position. OR A combination of graduate education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: Fluent in the use of the Navajo Language, including the ability to translate from Navajo to English and vice versa. 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. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.