Summary
The entry level Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs limited routine assignments under daily direct supervision. Deviations from unanticipated problems and unfamiliar situations are referred to supervisor for a decision or help. Obtains and records vital signs including blood pressure - pulse - and glucose levels.
Summary
The entry level Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs limited routine assignments under daily direct supervision. Deviations from unanticipated problems and unfamiliar situations are referred to supervisor for a decision or help. Obtains and records vital signs including blood pressure - pulse - and glucose levels.
Qualifications
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
- a
- Citizenship
- Citizen of the United States
- b
- 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
- Examples are listed below:(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
- c
- 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)
- Grade Determinations
- In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
- 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)
- In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1
- Knowledge of general outpatient clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment
- 2
- Ability to obtain - document and record demographic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate medical record
- 3
- Ability to use basic ophthalmic equipment
- and 4
- 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)
- In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1
- Knowledge of anatomy and function of the eye and basic ocular pharmacology
- 2
- Knowledge of outpatient eye care policies and procedures in a health care environment
- 3
- Ability to use basic ophthalmic diagnostic equipment to perform preliminary ocular testing
- 4
- Ability to perform minor extraocular surgical assisting
- and 5
- 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)
- In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1
- Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation
- 2
- Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens
- 3
- Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting
- 4
- Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology
- 5
- Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye
- 6
- Knowledge of optics
- and 7
- Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment
- Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience - including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. - Peace Corps - AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. - professional
- philanthropic
- religions
- spiritual
- community
- student
- social)
- Volunteer work helps build critical competencies - knowledge - and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment
- You will receive credit for all qualifying experience - including volunteer experience
- 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: The Health Technician-Ophthalmology should be able to lift and/or carry up to 45 pounds (intermittently)
- They will also straight pull/push up to 45 pounds (intermittently)
- They will stoop - squat and kneel (occasionally)
- The incumbent will have overhead work (intermittently)
- Position requires prolonged walking and standing (up to 4 hours per day) and sitting (up to 2 hours per day).
Duties
- Obtains and records vital signs including blood pressure - pulse - and glucose levels
- Participate in performance of quality assurance activities such as staff meetings - mandatory educational in-services - quality control reports - systems redesign - and team and morale improvement
- Shadowing journey level Ophthalmology technicians
- Practicing and developing Ophthalmology technician skills/competency
- Complete all VA mandated training in a timely fashion
- This includes online intranet courses and any other venue as required by the V Maintains an active BLS certification
- Properly schedule patient appointments - testing - procedures - and consults
- Completes appropriate paperwork and computer entries in a timely manner
- Properly completes paperwork to order supplies
- Ensures availability of medications - supplies and equipment in a clinic area
- Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection - calibration - maintenance - backup and ordering of instruments - supplies and equipment
- and reports needed repairs to Biomedical Engineering
- Greets - checks-in patients - fields telephone calls and messages in a pleasant and efficient manner and then communicates the information in an appropriate fashion to the appropriate personnel
- Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm (or as determined by supervisor depending on needs of the service) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Functional Statement #: 01787F -01788F -01789F -01790F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized