The Health Technician (Optometry) works as a member of the Eye Clinic of the SAVAHCS. The Eye Care Clinic provides comprehensive outpatient surgical eye and vision care, as well as Low Vision Services to eligible Veterans. The incumbent shall independently provide direct patient care services in ophthalmic dispensing, involving education, selection, verification, adjustment and repair of ophthalmic lenses and eyewear. Basic Requirements: a. Citizenship. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. b. English Language Proficiency. Health Technicians (Optometry) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 38 U.S.C. 7407(d). c. Experience and Education (1) Experience. One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to: nursing, medical assistant, or health technician; OR (2) Education. Two years above high school with a minimum of six semester hours directly related to a health care field or associate degree in a health care related degree; OR (3) 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 course; Health Technician (Optometry), GS-7 (Full Performance Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Ability to determine preliminary objective estimate and/or refinement of the optical status of the eye, not to include final subjective refraction. 2. 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.). 3. Ability to assist the eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with ophthalmic procedures. 4. Ability to assist with obtaining cultures and smears. 5. Knowledge and ability to provide advanced patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions. Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-6 (Developmental Level 1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. 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). 2. Ability to accurately enter in a phoropter the autorefractometry, habitual refractive prescription (i.e. eyeglasses prescription), or lensometry findings, including sphere, cylinder, and axis. 3. 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. 4. Ability to provide basic triage of patient telephone calls or optometry requests. 5. Knowledge of ophthalmic medications and supplies needed in the process of restocking the eye clinic exam rooms. Successful completion of a course for health care technicians or assistants, hospital corpsman, 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. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a Health Technician (Optometry) on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held. 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 (Optometry) 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 (Optometry) 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. 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 5005/142, Part II, Appendix G68 ["This position independently provides direct patient care services related to patient education, selection, ordering, verification, troubleshooting, adjustment and repair of ophthalmic lenses and eyewear. When ordering eyeglasses, this employee will educate the patient on the lens materials, lens designs, frames, tints and coatings that have been prescribed and will assist patient in the selection and ordering of proper fitting standard eyewear frames with understanding of frame selection to include the following: size, materials, relationship between frames, lenses and face.Duties include, but are not limited to: Independently provides direct patient care services related to patient education, selection, ordering, verification, troubleshooting, adjustment and repair of ophthalmic lenses and eyewear. Takes measurements of interpupillary distances, optical centers, and multifocal or progressive addition lens segment heights will be accurately obtained and documented. Adjust eyeglasses for comfortable fit and proper alignment of optical centers and segment heights for optimal visual performance and will instruct/educate patients on how to wear and care for eyeglasses. The incumbent will have the skills to repair broken or defective eyeglasses. Acts the front-line staff member for patients with concerns regarding eyewear and will triage patient concerns by manual or automated lensometry verification, troubleshooting all optical issues and verify with that eyeglass fabrication is completed as prescribed. Consistently communicates and treats Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner and handles conflict and Veteran concerns constructively and appropriately. Documents patient care activities properly and clearly in the patient's electronic record in a timely manner. Tracks eyeglass orders weekly for verification of receipt of consult and obtain tracking information as needed to assist the Veteran. Following appropriate infection control guidelines, cleans and disinfects equipment and sample frames, uses proper hand hygiene between patient encounters, and maintains optical space, including frame displays and fitting area. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. work schedule, but work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service. Physical Requirements: Ongoing mix of sitting, standing, walking, bending, and carrying light weight items. Many of the position's major duties require a high degree of manual dexterity and accuracy. Occasional heavy lifting may be required. In some instances, interactions with patients, caregivers, and staff can become intense and the employee may be placed in a position of stress."]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
