Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

Veterans Health Administration

Newington (CT)

On-site

USD 63,000 - 82,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Job summary

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs in Newington, CT, seeks a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) to support ophthalmology services. The role includes acuity testing, refraction, IOP measurement, and imaging with OCT and topography, under supervision of ophthalmologists.

The position operates Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm in a clinical setting, with emphasis on patient history, screening, and education. Salary range posted, benefits typical of federal employment.

Qualifications

Education and transcripts as required by Federal employment.

Responsibilities

Checks calibration of screening instruments and obtains patient history including chief complaint and ocular and general history.
Performs visual acuity testing at distance and near with/without correction and records results.
Performs refractometry, intraocular pressure measurement, pachymetry and keratometry, and records ocular measurements.
Assists in ophthalmic procedures and provides pre/postoperative instructions to patients and representatives.

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) perform functions such as technical clinical care to patients who have received care provided by Ophthalmologists for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. This position is part of the Surgical Services and is located at Newington, CT.

Key Responsibilities

Duties include but are not limited to: Checks calibration of screening instruments. Obtains 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. 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, and any abnormalities, including relative afferent pupillary defect.

Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter. Instills eye medications (i.e., drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilation, cycloplegic, or antibiotics. Measures intraocular pressure of the eye utilizing 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 the IOL Master. 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. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Health Technician (Ophthalmology)/PDF03747 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: N/A Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements & Education

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 $63052 - $81965/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-06.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.