Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Fort Dodge (IA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks an Ophthalmology Technician to support ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care for Veterans in the VA system.

The role includes accurate testing, instrument calibration, patient education, and collaboration with the surgical and telehealth teams to ensure high-quality eye care for eligible Veterans at VA facilities across the Midwest and beyond.

Qualifications

• Current certification as Ophthalmology Technician or equivalent.
• Experience supporting ophthalmologists in diagnostic testing and patient care.
• Familiarity with basic refractometry and eye drop administration.

Responsibilities

• Assist with calibration of ophthalmic screening instruments.
• Take patient history and document ocular and medical information.
• Perform visual acuity testing and refractometry under supervision.
• Support during clinic-based ophthalmic procedures and post-visit instructions.

Skills

Ophthalmology procedures

Patient care

Medical terminology

Education

Ophthalmology Technician certification

Tools

Ophthalmic instruments

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling.

Key Responsibilities

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Major duties include but are not limited to: Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments.

Obtains a detailed patient 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 non-prescription 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 or with a trial frame and lenses. Instills eye medications (drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilating drops, cycloplegic drops, or antibiotics) following a protocol or under the direction of an eye provider (ophthalmologist or optometrist).

Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques, including Goldmann applanation tonometry, tonopen, or rebound tonometer. Performs corneal pachymetry using a handheld or ocular coherence tomography device to determine corneal thickness. Performs manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvature. Performs intra-ocular lens(IOL) 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.

Assists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery, including revision of wounds, biopsies of the eyelid lesions, cultures of conjunctiva, or cornea; reformation of anterior chamber, evacuation of hyphema, repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts, intra-vitreous injections, and laser surgical procedures. Educates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care, including preoperative and postoperative instructions.

Assists in the education and training of medical students, residents and fellows in those facilities with medical school affiliations. Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection; calibration, maintenance, backup, annual inventory and ordering of instruments, supplies and equipment; obtains quotes as needed; and reports needed repairs to biomedical engineering.

Supports the Telehealth Optometry Store and Forward program include Virtual Eye Care Services (VECS), Tele Retinal Imaging onsite, and offsite with the Rural Health. Expected to float to other Community Based Outpatient Clinics as appropriate for patient care coverage and program expansion covering Store and Forward Telehealth related to eye health and Optometry services.

In the absence of a contracted optical shop on site, the technician assists the patient in choosing eyeglass frames; measures Pupillary Distance (PD) and segment height; enters eyeglasses order for dispensing by the contracting optical company as directed by/delegated by the prescribing eye provider. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements & Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 $40736 – $72644/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-26.

Who is eligible to apply?

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