Job Title

Summary The incumbent is a member of the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service at the Montana VA Health Care System providing comprehensive treatment of medical, surgical and long-term care patients. The primary purpose of Prosthetics Eyeglass Program Coordinator is responsibility for quality assurance activities, day-to-day operations, and administrative oversight of the MTVAHCS. Responsibilities DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation. Major duties and responsibilities include: Coordinates with Community Care and the eyeglass vendor to ensure that policies on eyeglasses and other ophthalmic devices are adhered to and that all orders submitted are reviewed and processed appropriately in a timely fashion. Review and enter all received orders for eyeglasses into computer records system. Tracks eyeglass orders and ensures timely distribution of all eyeglasses received. Tracks, delegates and/or responds to complaints, audits, and requested information from external inquiries. Coordinates with vendor on any eyeglass order discrepancies; tracks all warranty returns. The incumbent is a Prosthetics point of contract to internal and external stakeholders for understanding and interpretation of the Prosthetics Eyeglass Program regulations and eligibility requirements for patients. The incumbent is the principal advisor to management on eyeglass contracting and procurement policies and issues that may arise during routine audits and reviews. The incumbent reviews all incoming prescriptions from the community care providers and Community Care services for accuracy and eligibility to ensure all fields are populated correctly. The incumbent will review all prescriptions for eyeglasses to ensure that the patient is receiving lens materials, lens designs, frames, tints and coating that they are eligible for and entitled to receive . Incumbent will let the provider know if a new consult is required to be entered as the original item selected is not an option per the vendor. The incumbent will make recommendations regarding the best ophthalmic lens and eyewear options for the patient's individual spectacle prescription and lifestyle should a prescription be received that conflicts with the examination notes and what the national vendor offers. These patient specific recommendations will be made with emphasis on patient safety, comfort and optimal visual function. Incumbent will let the provider know if a new consult needs to be entered as the originally selected item is not an option per the vendor. Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, their representatives, visitors, and all hospital staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Assists the eligible patient with questions on how to receive the prosthetic appliances, primarily glasses. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Mon - Friday (8:00am - 4:30pm) Telework: ADHOC - This position may be authorized for ADHOC telework ONLY. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician - Eyeglass Program/PD146730, PD146740, and PD146750 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. u00a7 7407(a). Designated and/or random drug testing may be required 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. 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, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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) 5 CFR 330.502 - General restriction on movement after competitive appointment applies. 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 interest. In 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. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/01/2026. BASIC REQUIREMENTS. 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. u00a7 7403(f). Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): The Health Technician, 0640 has a minimum qualification entry requirement. All applicants must meet this Individual Occupational Requirement regardless of grade level. You may qualify based on one of the following: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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. OR, For GS-5 Education and Training: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. GRADE REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), applicants must also meet the following grade requirements as outlined below: GS-05 Grade Requirement: Please select the statement below that best describes your experience to meet the specific qualification requirement for this grade level. Specialized Experience for GS-05: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-04) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of this Health Technician position. Specialized experience includes: Knowledge of the mission, organization, and work processes of programs within a healthcare system; Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative techniques for analyzing and measuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of administrative and technical programs; Knowledge of computer software to be able to pull reports and review statistical data; Ability to communicate orally and in writing and provides excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders; Skill to interpret pertinent laws, regulations, policies and precedents that affect the use of programs and related support resources in a Healthcare facility. Or, Education for GS-05: A bachelor's degree or four (4) years of education above the high school level with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. (Transcripts required). Or, Combination for GS-05: An equivalent combination of successfully completed level positions, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. Determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level. Then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the education that meets the requirements for GS-5. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-5. (Transcripts required). GS-06 Grade Requirement: Please select the statement below that best describes your experience to meet the specific qualification requirement for this grade level. Specialized Experience for GS-06: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of this Health Technician position. Specialized experience includes: Knowledge of the mission, organization, and work processes of programs within a healthcare system; Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative techniques for analyzing and measuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of administrative and technical programs; Knowledge of computer software to be able to pull reports and review statistical data; Ability to communicate orally and in writing and provides excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders; Skill to interpret pertinent laws, regulations, policies and precedents that affect the use of programs and related support resources in a Healthcare facility. Or, Six months of graduate level education related to the position can be substituted for specialized experience. (Transcripts Required) GS-07 Grade Requirement: Please select the statement below that best describes your experience to meet the specific qualification requirement for this grade level. Specialized Experience for GS-07: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of this Health Technician position. Specialized experience includes: Knowledge of the mission, organization, and work processes of programs within a healthcare system; Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative techniques for analyzing and measuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of administrative and technical programs; Knowledge of computer software to be able to pull reports and review statistical data; Ability to communicate orally and in writing and provides excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders; Skill to interpret pertinent laws, regulations, policies and precedents that affect the use of programs and related support resources in a Healthcare facility. Or, One full year of graduate level education related to the position can be substituted for specialized experience. (Transcripts required) Preferred Experience: Prosthetics and Optics Knowledge: 1-2 years experience working within a healthcare setting, particularly in the area of eyeglasses and optical devices, including and understanding of the technical specifications and medical necessity criteria for various eyewear prescriptions. Quality Assurance in Healthcare: Some experience in coordination with community providers and vendors to ensure compliance with policies, timely distribution of medical devices, and handling of issues. Customer Service: Experience Healthcare Customer Service: Applicants must have experience providing customer service in a healthcare setting. This experience must include communicating with patients, managing patient expectations, and resolving patient issues related to medical devices or services, ensuring high level of patient satisfaction. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Education 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: 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: Additional Information 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. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at