Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

Summary

Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures, assists during clinic-based surgical procedures, educates patients and legal representatives, assists with the education of medical students and residents.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is opened to current, permanent VA and other Federal Employees ONLY. Reminder: Federal employees must submit their most recent, non-award SF-50 from their eOPF. If you are not a current, permanent federal employee you must apply to the external job announcement CBTC--JLC. There is no need to apply to both.

Duties

This position requires travel up to 75% of the time, 3 days in Port St. Lucie and 2 days in West Palm Beach

This position travels between Port St. Lucie Community Clinic and West Palm Beach VAMC. The technician will work independently seeing patients and performing a history, lensometry, refraction, tonometry, and non mydriatic photos. This data will then be uploaded and then reviewed and finalized by a provider (MD or OD) asynchronously along with glasses prescription disposition.

Duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to:

Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments.

Obtains patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs and symptoms; current medication allergies; past ocular and general medical history both ocular and general; family history both ocular and general; social history; and review of medications and allergies, including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medications.

Accurately tests visual acuity at distance and near, with and without correction or with and without a pinhole.

Measures eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism in both plus and minus cylinder.

Performs pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation. Performs swinging flashlight test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect.

Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter. Must be competent at distance and near refractions and complex refractions.

Instills eye medications (drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilating drops, cycloplegic drops, or antibiotics).

Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques, including Goldmann applanation tonometry.

Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvature.

Performs intra-ocular lens calculations using an IOL Master or equivalent device.

Performs automated visual field testing using various perimetry machines.

Performs external photographs and fundus photography.

Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve.

Performs patient screening and triage of potentially urgent ocular conditions.

Assists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery, including revision of wounds, biopsies of the eyelid lesions, cultures of conjunctiva, or cornea; reformation of anterior chamber, evacuation of hyphema, repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts, intra-vitreous injections, and laser surgical procedures.

Educates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care, including preoperative and postoperative instructions.

Assists in the education and training of medical students, residents and fellows in those facilities with medical school affiliations.

Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection; calibration, maintenance, backup, annual inventory and ordering of instruments, supplies and equipment; obtains quotes as needed; and reports needed repairs to biomedical engineering.

Able to work independently to do basic exam- including refraction, tonometry and non mydriatic photos.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday between 7:30 am to 5:30 pm dependent on clinical needs of the service and patient care.

Telework: Not authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

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.

You may be required to serve a probationary period.

Subject to background/security investigation.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Experience and Education

Experience. One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to nursing, medical assistant, or health technician. OR

Education. Two years above high school with a minimum of six semester hours directly related to a health care field or associate's degree in a health care related degree. OR

Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below:

Six months of experience in the health care field; and one year above high school; or

Six months of experience in the health care field and successful completion of a course for health care technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or ophthalmology technicians given by the U.S. Armed Forces; or

Six months of experience in the health care field and completion of an independent study course in Ophthalmic Medical Assisting. Certification. All applicants must be certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). The COA certification is JCAHPO's entry-level certification examination for a Health Technician (Ophthalmology).

Creditable Experience

Knowledge of Current Health Technician (Ophthalmology) Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with a health care field or knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the current occupation. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non-paid employment in the health care field.

Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to Health Technician (Ophthalmology) experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Part-time Experience. Part time experience as a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) is creditable according to its relationship to the full time work week. For example, a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) employed 20 hours per week, or on a time basis, would receive one full-time work week credit for each two weeks of service.

Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met in order to meet the GS-08 grade requirements.

Experience. Candidates must posses one year of experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level. At this level, the Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs the following: triages patient phone calls or requests; ensures exam rooms are stocked with adequate supplies; instructs patients on administration of eye drops and post-operative instructions; accurately measures, compares, and evaluates pupillary responses; administers eye drops to dilate pupils; performs basic color vision screening; performs visual field testing (using Amsler grid or automated equipment). Performs basic imaging testing such as corneal topography; external photography; performs basic ocular testing such as pachymetry, tear production with test strips, glare testing, stereo acuity, contrast sensitivity, potential acuity meter, measuring spectacles using both automated and manual lensometry and transposing cylinders. The employee assists the ophthalmologist during minor ophthalmic surgical procedures and is adept at applying sterile technique and infection control procedures. Performs autorefractor to determine spectacle prescription.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities at GS-07 grade level are:

Knowledge of anatomy and function of the eye and basic ocular pharmacology.

Knowledge of outpatient eye care policies and procedures in a health care environment.

Ability to use basic ophthalmic diagnostic equipment to perform preliminary ocular testing.

Ability to perform minor extraocular surgical assisting.

Ability to provide eye care patient education.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation.

Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens.

Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting.

Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology.

Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye.

Knowledge of optics.

Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment.

References: VA Handbook 5005/98 February 7, 2018 Part II, Appendix G52, Health Technician (Ophthalmology) Qualification Standard, GS-0640

The full performance level of this vacancy is G-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-08.

Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment or assisting patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity.

Education

IMPORTANT: 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

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an .

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, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Documentation of: Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO).

Resume

SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

NOTE on SF-50: If applying as a current Federal employee, provide a copy of your most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing your pay plan, grade, step, and salary. SF-50s for Awards will not be accepted.

NOTE on Transcripts: If you are basing your qualification on education, you must submit transcript with application.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

Cover Letter

Documentation of: Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO).

Professional Certification

Resume

SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy