Job at a glance
The Health Technician (Optometry) is a member of the St Cloud VA Health Care System. In the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) the incumbent performs technical clinical care to aid in the diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and counseling of patients who have received care provided by Optometrists or Ophthalmologists. Major duties: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Obtain, document, and record ophthalmic and medical information from patients to develop an accurate electronic progress note.
Practice basic hygiene and infection control in a patient care setting. Follow eye clinic and patient care medical policies and procedures. Perform minor eyeglass repairs, such as replacing nose pads and screws. Provide patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions, to include assisting with patient contact lens insertion, removal, and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection) care. Accurately enter a phoropter the autorefractometry or habitual refractive prescription (i.e.
eyeglass prescription) or lensometer findings including sphere, cylinder, and axis. Perform patient spectacle fitting and dispensing, including selection of appropriate frame, ophthalmic lenses, interpupillary measurements (distance and near) and proper segment height determination, as well as the ability to transpose sphere, cylinder, and axis. Provide basic triage of patient telephone calls or optometry requests.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements: 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. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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 Aff