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Summary
Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) perform functions such as technical clinical care to patients who have received care provided by Ophthalmologists for diagnosis - treatment - prevention - follow-up care and patient counseling. Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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: Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 38 U.S.C. 7407(d)
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
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
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)
Exception: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements may be appointed as a graduate Health Technician (Ophthalmology) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B)
The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) that provides care under the supervision of an Ophthalmologist
The exception only applies below the full performance level
For grade levels at or above the full performance level the candidate must be certified
Failure to obtain COA certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment and may result in termination of employment
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
Grade Determinations: Health Technician (Ophthalmology) - GS-5 (Entry Level): Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
Health Technician (Ophthalmology) - GS-6 (Developmental Level 1): Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of general outpatient clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment
Ability to obtain - document and record demographic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate medical record
Ability to use basic ophthalmic equipment
and Knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment
Health Technician (Ophthalmology) - GS-7 (Developmental Level 2): Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): 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
Health Technician (Ophthalmology) - GS-8 (Full Performance Level): Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): 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
All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package
We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications
Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification
It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8
Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
Duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include but are not limited to: Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments
Obtains a detailed patient 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 nonprescription 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 or with a trial frame and lenses
Instills eye medications - including anesthetic - dye - dilating drops - cycloplegic drops - or antibiotics - following a protocol or under the direction of an eye provider (ophthalmologist or optometrist)
Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques - including Goldmann applanation tonometry - tonopen - or rebound tonometer
Performs corneal pachymetry using a handheld or ocular coherence tomography device to determine corneal thickness
Performs 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 hyphemia - repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts - intravitreous 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
Optical duties as necessary
Other duties as required
Work Schedule: Full-Time - Monday through Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 000000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) perform functions such as technical clinical care to patients who have received care provided by Ophthalmologists for diagnosis - treatment - prevention - follow-up care and patient counseling. Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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: Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 38 U.S.C. 7407(d)
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
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
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)
Exception: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements may be appointed as a graduate Health Technician (Ophthalmology) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B)
The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) that provides care under the supervision of an Ophthalmologist
The exception only applies below the full performance level
For grade levels at or above the full performance level the candidate must be certified
Failure to obtain COA certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment and may result in termination of employment
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
Grade Determinations: Health Technician (Ophthalmology) - GS-5 (Entry Level): Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
Health Technician (Ophthalmology) - GS-6 (Developmental Level 1): Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of general outpatient clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment
Ability to obtain - document and record demographic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate medical record
Ability to use basic ophthalmic equipment
and Knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment
Health Technician (Ophthalmology) - GS-7 (Developmental Level 2): Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): 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
Health Technician (Ophthalmology) - GS-8 (Full Performance Level): Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): 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
All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package
We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications
Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification
It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8
Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
Duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include but are not limited to: Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments
Obtains a detailed patient 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 nonprescription 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 or with a trial frame and lenses
Instills eye medications - including anesthetic - dye - dilating drops - cycloplegic drops - or antibiotics - following a protocol or under the direction of an eye provider (ophthalmologist or optometrist)
Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques - including Goldmann applanation tonometry - tonopen - or rebound tonometer
Performs corneal pachymetry using a handheld or ocular coherence tomography device to determine corneal thickness
Performs 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 hyphemia - repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts - intravitreous 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
Optical duties as necessary
Other duties as required
Work Schedule: Full-Time - Monday through Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 000000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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