Ophthalmology Technicians in the support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. The Full Performance Health Technician 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. The Full Performance Health Technician may perform many "direct patient care services" supervision. Applicants must meet all requirements by the close of the announcement, 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. Experience and Education: Experience: One year of experience as a health technician or assistant in the health care field demonstrating the applicant's ability to perform the work or by demonstrating a basic understanding of work in the health care field; OR Education: Successful completion of two academic years above high school with a minimum of 12 semester hours related to health technician/assistant or health technician (optometry)/assistant or associate degree, or completion of an independent study course in an optometry related technician or assistant field; OR Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below: (a) Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge of optometry assistant theory and practices and general understanding of the health technician/assistant duties and one year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health technician/assistant or health technician (optometry)/assistant related courses. (b) Successful completion of a course for health care technicians or assistants, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training in a program given by the U.S. Armed Forces, the U.S. Maritime Service, or the U.S. Public Health Service, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis. English Language Proficiency: Health Technician (Optometry) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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). GS-4: Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-5: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic eye anatomy and function. Ability to obtain, document and record ophthalmic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate electronic progress note. Ability to practice basic hygiene and infection control in a patient care setting. Ability to follow eye clinic and patient care medical policies and procedures. Ability to perform minor eyeglasses repairs, such as replacing nose pads and screws. GS-6 Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to provide patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions, to include assisting with patient contact lens insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection) care. Ability to accurately enter into a phoropter the autorefractometry or habitual refractive prescription (i.e., eyeglasses prescription) or lensometer findings, including sphere, cylinder and axis. Ability to perform patient spectacle fitting and dispensing, including selection of appropriate frame, ophthalmic lenses, interpupillary measurements (distance and near) and proper segment height determination, as well as the ability to transpose sphere, cylinder and axis. Ability to provide basic triage of patient telephone calls or optometry requests. Knowledge of ophthalmic medications and supplies needed in the process of restocking the eye clinic exam rooms. GS-7 Experience: One year of experience comparable to the GS-6 grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to determine preliminary objective estimate and/or refinement of the optical status of the eye, not to include the patient's final subjective refraction. Ability to triage and manage eyeglasses issues (e.g., measurement of vertex distance, base curve, prism correction, center thickness, slab off, Fresnel prism, decentration, etc.). Ability to perform accurate assessment of accommodation, near point of convergence and ocular alignment (far and near). Ability to assist the eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with ophthalmic procedures. Ability to assist with obtaining accurate ocular cultures and smears. Knowledge and ability to provide advanced patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions. GS-8 Experience: One year of experience comparable to the GS-7 grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II. 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: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. ["Assisting the ophthalmologist/optometrists in performance of his/her duties by accomplishing tasks of a technical nature that can include eye examinations, visual acuity, measurement of intraocular pressure, neutralization of glasses, and manifest refraction. Perform specific examination procedures at the request of the provider and will independently carry out these requests, to include automated visual field testing, OCT testing, periocular and intraocular photography, retinal angiography, Ascan and Bscan measurements, and Keratometry measurements. Secures patients confidence, and cooperation during procedures, interviews and collects medical and other relevant patient information Answers patient's questions during procedures, and positions patients for desired results and adjusts patient's position to accommodate their medical condition. Responsible for the maintenance and general care of all optical and mechanical equipment utilized in the clinic. Determines technical factors, sets controls and operates equipment and instruments routinely. Sets up and adjusts specialized equipment with multiple features. This involves the periodic cleaning of optical lenses used for refraction and optical components not related to warranties or service contracts. Makes precise adjustments to clarify reading and measurements. Stocking of spare supplies to supplement expanded material will be maintained and ordered by the incumbent. Clinical and diagnostic photography to record or determine ocular pathology or the lack there of. Such critical methods of ophthalmic photography as fluorescein retinal angiography will be accomplished, requiring competent knowledge of photographic principles and disciplines. Perform macrophotography, utilizing complex photography systems and diversified illumination sources to include slit lamp photography. Provide necessary surgical instrumentation for various ophthalmic procedures. Care of this instrumentation will be the responsibility of the incumbent. Ensure that the Eye Clinic is supplied and equipped to accomplish scheduled procedures. Utilize computer based electronic medical record as well as email communication and correspondence. Responsible for handling of materials, filing, and retrieval of clinical photographic records. Technician will perform all other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21Y92-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
