Amended - Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

Veterans Health Administration; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 56,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Federal health benefits

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration in Orlando provides an ophthalmology health technician role to support ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care, and patient counseling.

The position involves performing diagnostic tests, assisting in clinic procedures, taking patient histories, and educating patients and staff. Work schedule is Monday through Friday, with alternating Saturdays; extensive federal benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Education and degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

Responsibilities

• The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs standard but complex diagnostic procedures and assists during clinic-based surgical procedures.
• Educates patients and legal representatives; assists with student and resident education.
• Checks calibration of ophthalmology screening instruments; records measurements and test results.
• Performs visual acuity tests, lensometry, pupil evaluation, refractometry, intraocular pressure, keratometry, corneal thickness, IOL calculations, perimetry, fundus photography, OCT, and patient triage.

Job description

Amended - Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This announcement has extended the closing date to Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Ophthalmology Technicians in the Orlando VA Healthcare System support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling.

Key Responsibilities

The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) 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. Duties include but are not limited to: Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments.

Obtains patient physical 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. Instills eye medications (drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilating drops, cycloplegic drops, or antibiotics). Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques, including Goldmann applanation tonometry. Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and 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.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0830-1700/ Alternate Saturdays 7:00-3:30 Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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) 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 #: 81611F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Requirements & Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $55882 – $72644/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-07.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.