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Ophthalmology Technicians in the VHA support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. The Lead Health Technician carries responsibilities that involve the oversight of specific services within the ophthalmology clinic. They may assist with technician oversight duties including: making work assignments, monitoring work flow, providing input on performance, resolving daily workplace issues, and maintaining efficient flow of patient care. 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. 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: a. Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. Experience and Education. 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. c. 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. d. 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). Grade Determination: GS-9 Lead Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-9 (a) Experience. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the (GS-8) next lower grade level. (b) Assignment. 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. The Lead Health Technician (Ophthalmology) carries additional responsibilities that involve the oversight of specific services within the ophthalmology clinic. The Lead Health Technician (Ophthalmology) may assist with technician oversight duties including: making work assignments, monitoring work flow, providing input on performance, resolving daily workplace issues, and maintaining efficient flow of patient care. They may provide training to eye care staff, students and/or trainees; and may provide input into special advancements, promotions, and disciplinary actions. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities of a Health Technician(Ophthalmology) in order to effectively complete job duties of assignment such as distributing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, monitoring accuracy of work, etc.; Ability to communicate effectively in order to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels; Ability to assist in Health Technician (Ophthalmology) development, outcome management, and strategic planning; and Ability to act as liaison between Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) to resolve informal employee complaints and concerns. Loss of Credentials. A Health Technician (Ophthalmology) who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. (d.) Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification requirements. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) who were appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of the qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. e. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/98, PART II., APPENDIX G52 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. The position is above the full performance level (FPL) GS-9. ["The Lead Ophthalmology Technician performs difficult ophthalmic technical duties with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. In addition to the duties expected of the GS-8 level, the GS-9 Lead Technician carries additional responsibilities that involve the oversight of specific services with the ophthalmology clinic. Some of the major duties include: ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance, plan, organize and coordinate activities of a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) and effectively complete job duties of assignments such as distributing workload monitoring the status and progress of work. Also ensuring accuracy of work. Monitoring and recording patient's condition, recognizing deviations in patient's condition and adverse reactions and taking appropriate actions, making gross visual observations and identifying subtle changes regarding patient's condition, setting up and giving treatments that require auxiliary equipment, and securing patient confidence and cooperation during procedures. The incumbent in this position will be responsible for providing technical and administrative support related to the efficient and effective operation of the Eye Clinic by performing the following duties: Making work assignments. Monitoring work flow. Providing input of performance. Resolving daily workplace issues and maintaining efficient flow of patient care. May provide training to eye care staff, students and/or trainees. May provide input into special advancements, promotions and disciplinary actions. Performing Humphrey and MP-1 automated visual fields. Performing Visual Acuity measurements (Aided, Unaided and Pinhole at distance and near). Checking in patients to the Eye Clinic and entering all pertinent medical history information. Consulting with staff providers to determine best courses to achieve timely care of patients' concerns. CPR certification preferred. Perform Neutralization of patient's glasses (automated or manual lensometry). Use of Automated refraction and Keratometer . Use of Tonometry (Tono-pen, Goldman applanation). Perform Pupil evaluation. Perform Installation of topical anesthetics, mydriatic and cycloplegic eye drops. Use of an EMR (Electronic Medical Record). Perform manifest refraction through phoropter Goldman Visual Fields (Kinetic and Diplopia). Work Schedule: Monday -Friday 7:30 am-4:00 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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