Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Fargo seeks an Ophthalmology Technician to support ophthalmology services.

The role includes assisting ophthalmologists/optometrists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and follow-up care, along with patient education and participate in training activities for students and residents. Candidates should have COA certification or be able to obtain it; one year of health care experience or equivalent education is required.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in a health care field or equivalent education.
• COA certification is required.
• Education credits acceptable in lieu of experience per qualification standards.

Responsibilities

• Assist ophthalmologists/optometrists in diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.
• Perform standard but complex diagnostic procedures.
• Educate medical students and residents as assigned.
• Provide direct patient care under supervision and maintain accurate records.

Skills

Ophthalmic equipment

Patient data collection

Infection control

Disinfection procedures

Medical terminology

Education

COA certification

Associate degree in health care

Tools

Tonometry devices

Job description

Position is located at the Fargo VA. The Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veteran Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologist and Optometrist in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. Performs a range of standard, but complex diagnostic procedures, assists with education of medical students and residents. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) may perform many "direct patient care services "under the supervision of the Ophthalmologists and Optometrists. 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

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.
• 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's degree in a health care related degree. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

OR

(3) Experience/Education Combination.

Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below: (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

(a) Six months of experience in the health care field; and one year above high school;

or

(b) Six months of experience in the health care field and successful completion of a course for health care technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or ophthalmology technicians given by the U.S. Armed Forces;

or

(c) Six months of experience in the health care field and completion of an independent study course in Ophthalmic Medical Assisting.

• 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.

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.

Grade Determinations

Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-5 (Entry Level)

Experience or Education.

None beyond the basic requirements.

Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-6 (Developmental Level 1)

Experience.

One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

• Knowledge of general outpatient clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment;
• Ability to obtain, document and record demographic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate medical record;
• Ability to use basic ophthalmic equipment; and
• Knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment.

Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-7 (Developmental Level 2)

Experience.

One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA).

• Knowledge of anatomy and function of the eye and basic ocular pharmacology;
• Knowledge of outpatient eye care policies and procedures in a health care environment;
• Ability to use basic ophthalmic diagnostic equipment to perform preliminary ocular testing;
• Ability to perform minor extraocular surgical assisting; and
• Ability to provide eye care patient education.

Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-8 (Full Performance Level)

Experience.

One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA).

• 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 equipment.

Preferred Experience:

Prefer candidates to have an active COA/COT/CoMT certification with at least two years ophthalmic tech 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-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:

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.