Minneapolis VA Medical Center (DOVA)
Health Technician (Ophthalmology)
Minneapolis VA Medical Center (DOVA), Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55400
Overview
Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provide technical clinical care to patients previously examined by ophthalmologists. Responsibilities include instrument calibration, visual acuity testing, intraocular pressure measurement, patient screening, and assisting with clinic‑based ophthalmic surgery. Technicians maintain equipment, educate patients, and support the training of medical students and residents. Responsibilities
Calibrate and test ophthalmology screening instruments. Obtain detailed patient history, including ocular and general medical history, medication history, family history, and social history. Test visual acuity at distance and near with or without correction, and with pinhole testing. Measure eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism for plus and minus cylinders. Perform pupil evaluation, record pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and perform swinging flashlight test for relative afferent pupillary defect. Perform basic refractometry using auto refraction or habitual prescription in the phoropter or with trial frame lenses. Instill eye medications (drops or ointments) following protocols or under the direction of an eye provider. Measure intraocular pressure using Goldmann applanation tonometry, tonopen, or rebound tonometry. Perform corneal pachymetry using a handheld or ocular coherence tomography device. Perform manual keratometry or automated topography. Calculate intra‑ocular lens using an IOL Master or equivalent device. Perform automated visual field testing using perimetry machines. Perform external photographs and fundus photography. Perform optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina, and optic nerve. Screen and triage urgent ocular conditions. Assist during clinic‑based ophthalmic surgery, including wound revision, biopsies, cultures, and laser procedures. Educate patients and authorized representatives in eye care, including pre‑operative and post‑operative instructions. Assist in the education and training of medical students, residents, and fellows. Ensure proper cleaning, disinfection, calibration, maintenance, backup, annual inventory, ordering of instruments, and report needed repairs to biomedical engineering. Other duties as required. Qualifications
United States Citizenship required; non‑citizens may be appointed only if no qualified citizens can be recruited. Proficient in spoken and written English. One year of health‑care field experience, such as nursing, medical assistant, or health technician; OR Associate’s degree in a health‑care related field or two years of post‑secondary education with six semester hours directly related to a health‑care field; OR Equivalent combinations of experience and education, such as six months of experience in a health‑care field and one year above high school; OR Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). Non‑certified applicants who meet minimum qualifications may be appointed under a waiver for up to two years. Benefits
Competitive salary, regular salary increases, 37–50 days of paid time off, parental leave, childcare subsidy, traditional federal pension, federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution, and comprehensive federal health, vision, dental, and life insurance.
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Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provide technical clinical care to patients previously examined by ophthalmologists. Responsibilities include instrument calibration, visual acuity testing, intraocular pressure measurement, patient screening, and assisting with clinic‑based ophthalmic surgery. Technicians maintain equipment, educate patients, and support the training of medical students and residents. Responsibilities
Calibrate and test ophthalmology screening instruments. Obtain detailed patient history, including ocular and general medical history, medication history, family history, and social history. Test visual acuity at distance and near with or without correction, and with pinhole testing. Measure eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism for plus and minus cylinders. Perform pupil evaluation, record pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and perform swinging flashlight test for relative afferent pupillary defect. Perform basic refractometry using auto refraction or habitual prescription in the phoropter or with trial frame lenses. Instill eye medications (drops or ointments) following protocols or under the direction of an eye provider. Measure intraocular pressure using Goldmann applanation tonometry, tonopen, or rebound tonometry. Perform corneal pachymetry using a handheld or ocular coherence tomography device. Perform manual keratometry or automated topography. Calculate intra‑ocular lens using an IOL Master or equivalent device. Perform automated visual field testing using perimetry machines. Perform external photographs and fundus photography. Perform optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina, and optic nerve. Screen and triage urgent ocular conditions. Assist during clinic‑based ophthalmic surgery, including wound revision, biopsies, cultures, and laser procedures. Educate patients and authorized representatives in eye care, including pre‑operative and post‑operative instructions. Assist in the education and training of medical students, residents, and fellows. Ensure proper cleaning, disinfection, calibration, maintenance, backup, annual inventory, ordering of instruments, and report needed repairs to biomedical engineering. Other duties as required. Qualifications
United States Citizenship required; non‑citizens may be appointed only if no qualified citizens can be recruited. Proficient in spoken and written English. One year of health‑care field experience, such as nursing, medical assistant, or health technician; OR Associate’s degree in a health‑care related field or two years of post‑secondary education with six semester hours directly related to a health‑care field; OR Equivalent combinations of experience and education, such as six months of experience in a health‑care field and one year above high school; OR Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). Non‑certified applicants who meet minimum qualifications may be appointed under a waiver for up to two years. Benefits
Competitive salary, regular salary increases, 37–50 days of paid time off, parental leave, childcare subsidy, traditional federal pension, federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution, and comprehensive federal health, vision, dental, and life insurance.
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