Summary This position is located at the Crownpoint Healthcare Facility, Division of Public Health, Diabetes Branch in Crownpoint, NM. This position promotes the improvement of patient health with diabetes and assists with various health promotion activities. The technician ensures the results of all vision examinations are completed and placed in the patient's medical record. The position works with the Service Unit's Diabetes Program to ensure services are met for the Joslin Vision Network program. Responsibilities This position is being re-advertised to solicit additional applications. Applicants who applied previously need not reapply unless submitting updated and\/or missing information. Provides routine vision screening by reviewing and taking patient ocular, medical case histories, recording patient chief complaints, and current medications Performs routine keratometry and assists the eye care provider as required. Performs anterior, retinal and stereo optic nerve photographs for documenting and screening of ocular disease to properly input information into log book and patients chart. Processes the appropriate collection and retention of necessary forms and profile information, referral and reports by maintaining confidentiality of the patient information. Reviews patients charts with the assistance of eye care provider as needed to decide on priority of scheduling or the photographic screening needs of each patient. Provides counseling and discussion of patient's treatment options and instructs patients of basic vision/ocular health education which includes the proper use of ocular pharmacological agents, prognosis and follow up. Maintains supplies of all patient care educational materials. Provides presentations concerning eye problems to the public, health fairs, CHR's, Senior Citizen Centers, health boards, providers within or outside the Service Unit. Coordinates referral services and transmits patient information with other health care providers, schedules patients, arranges transportation, and any other activities necessary to obtain evaluation and treatment results from referral sources. Performs telecommunication activities to properly screen callers and make proper disposition of the inquiries with minimal supervision. Performs patient care activities such as appointment scheduling and clerical activities like data collection and submitting reports. Requirements Conditions of Employment Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes. Adherence to the IHS Employee Immunization Policy, SGM 21-04, and the IHS Circular 2016-04 requiring Measles and Rubella, COVID-19, and seasonal influenza immunizations for staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities OR an exemption request will need to be submitted. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/. Occasional driving of the Government vehicle so a valid driver's license is required. You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you. Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process. 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. For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): GS-05: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level; OR, 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. In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. 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: Experience in performing visual field, visual acuity and vision screening, using instruments and equipment to test patients. Basic knowledge of the Joslin Vision Network (JVN) program. Able to screen patients, identifying urgent and emergent ocular conditions to report to the eye care professional. Has basic knowledge of ocular/medical anatomy, physiology, common medical diseases and ocular conditions/complications. Experience on providing basic diabetes education and have knowledge on the standards of care for diabetic patients. Experience in performing clerical duties, such as operating computer system, using Electronic Health Record or similar system. Creating reports, spreadsheets and graphs using computer software. 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. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. 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). Education GS-05: 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. When there is a positive education requirement, or you are using education to qualify as a substitution for experience, transcripts (unofficial) are required at the time of application to verify that you meet the educational requirement or substitution. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Additional Information Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement. This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit. No government housing available. This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: https://www.usphs.gov/.