HEALTH TECHNICIAN (OPHTHALMOLOGY)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is seeking a Health Technician specializing in Ophthalmology to provide diagnostic assistance in a dynamic outpatient clinic environment. The successful candidate will perform key ophthalmic tasks, ensuring patient care quality while working closely with ophthalmologists under a well-structured team framework. Applicants must hold a COA certification and demonstrate essential skills to thrive in a patient-centric setting.

Qualifications

• Experience of at least 1 year in a health care field.
• Certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA).
• Ability to handle fragile eyeglasses & contact lenses.

Responsibilities

• Perform standard and complex diagnostic procedures.
• Obtain patient histories and accurately test visual acuity.
• Assist in the Eye Clinic, handling both patients and equipment.

Skills

Dexterity

Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting

Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens

Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye

Knowledge of optics

Education

Associate's degree in a health care related field

Job description

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Health Technician (Ophthalmology). The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) will function in Surgical Service.
Duties

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Requirements

Qualifications
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 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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment in section A, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-8

• Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level.
• Assignment. Examples of assignments at this level include but are not limited to: performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures with responsibility for checking calibration of instruments prior to the procedure. Responsible for obtaining patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs/symptoms; past history both ocular and general; family history both ocular and general; social history; and review of medications and allergies, including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medications. Accurately tests visual acuity at distance and near, with and without correction or with and without a pinhole.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, 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; and
  • Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equip

Preferred Experience:
1. Ability to work in high volume and fast-paced outpatient clinic
2. Positive patient and fellow staff interaction
3. Experience with a wide variety of automated ocular diagnostic devices
4. COA OR COT preferred Preferred experience

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-08.

Physical Requirements: The Incumbent must have dexterity & agility to handle fragile eyeglasses & contact lenses as well as microscopic instruments. The work is at times sedentary; and ambulation between various examination/treatment rooms is also required. The work requires some physical exertion such as lifting and assisting wheelchair patients into chairs positioned in front of the cameras. It is also required that the angiographer be able to operate the cameras with one hand while holding the patients' eyelids open with the other. The incumbent will also frequently spend extended periods standing and bending over in the Eye Clinic. The employee will also need to frequently lift light to moderately heavy cameras, camera accessories, and imaging equipment. The work area is pleasant but at times noisy due to the volume of waiting patients. Occasionally, it Is necessary to deal with disruptive patients. Risk normally associated with an Eye Clinic/hospital/direct patient care are present.