VCS Health Tech (Lead Optician) Palo Alto CA

Summary

The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) is seeking experienced and motivated Supervisory Health Tech (Opticians) to support operations within the VCS Optical Shop at the Palo Alto, CA VA Medical Center. This position plays a critical role in delivering exceptional service by coordinating optical operations and serving as a key liaison between VCS, eye clinic providers and prosthetics teams. Join us and help enhance the experience for our Nation's Veterans.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Customer Service & Patient Assistance: Greets customers entering the Optical Shop, responds to inquiries, and guides product pricing, availability, and estimated delivery timelines for eyewear. Supervisory Leadership & Personnel Management: Oversees all personnel functions related to Optician staff, including supervision, performance oversight, and daily operational management. Workload Coordination & Team Oversight: Assigns duties, distributes workload, and monitors task completion to ensure efficient workflow and adherence to established operational procedures. Frame Selection & Product Expertise: Actively assists customers with frame selection and product upgrades while maintaining comprehensive knowledge of available frames, lenses, and coatings. Eyewear Fitting & Optical Services: Performs eyewear measurements, fittings, adjustments, and basic repairs while accurately documenting services and patient interactions in the CPRS system. Communication & Follow-Up: Manages customer communications, coordinates follow-up actions, and ensures timely resolution of customer needs and service requests. Requirements

As a Condition of Employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year trial 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 - Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Additional Conditions of Employment include: -Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. -Subject to background/security investigation. Qualifications

Specialized Experience Requirement: Must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of this position. Computer Skills & Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated advanced computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Ability to quickly learn and operate new software systems used by the Optical Contractor and the Department of Veterans Affairs, including DOS-based programs. Prescription Review & Accuracy: Ability to review optical prescriptions, recognize discrepancies or irregularities, and take appropriate corrective action to ensure accuracy and compliance with established standards. Lens Measurement & Verification: Skill in measuring and verifying proper lens placement within spectacle frames, ensuring lenses meet required positioning tolerances and quality standards. Lens Selection & Patient Needs: Ability to select and match appropriate lens types, forms, and positioning to meet individual patient vision requirements and comfort. Quality Control & Problem Identification: Ability to identify and resolve optical issues, including prescription verification, transition lenses, optical center alignment, segment heights, and improper frame selections. Identification Requirement: A current, valid REAL ID is required to work with the Veterans Canteen Service.

Education

Education Requirement: High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) required. How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.