Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Oklahoma City is seeking a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) to support the Surgical Care/ Ophthalmology Service.

The position may be stationed at the Norman CBOC and could temporarily work at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center until the new Norman facility opens. Candidate must be a COA-certified health technician with English proficiency and knowledge of outpatient ophthalmic practices.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in a health care field or two years of health care related education.
• Must be COA certified by JCAHPO.
• GS-5 to GS-8 KSAs and related experience as listed in the vacancy.
• Preferred: COA with 2 years ophthalmology experience in Refractions, Zeiss, or OL Biometry.

Responsibilities

• Assist in eye diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care, and patient counseling.
• Obtain, document, and record demographic and medical information for medical records.
• Use basic ophthalmic equipment and record patient medical history.
• Measure visual acuity, administer eye drops, and perform basic tonometry.
• Assist ophthalmologist during minor procedures with sterile technique.
• Maintain exam rooms and educate patients on eye drop administration.
• Participate in quality assurance, staff meetings, and training.
• Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Skills

Eye anatomy knowledge

Outpatient ophthalmic policies

Ophthalmic equipment use

Disinfection procedures

Documentation and data collection

Education

COA certification (JCAHPO)

Associate's degree or 1 year healthcare coursework

Six months healthcare experience + coursework or alternate health-care path

Tools

Zeiss ophthalmic equipment

OL Biometry equipment

Job description

Job Summary

The Oklahoma City VA Medical Center - Surgical Care Service - is recruiting one (1) Health Technician (Ophthalmology) to join their team. This position will be located at the Norman CBOC but may temporarily work at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center until the new CBOC facility in Norman is completed.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency.
• Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Basic Experience and Education: One year of experience in a health care field such as nursing, medical assistant, or health technician; or two years above high school with a minimum of six semester hours directly related to a health care field or an associate's degree; or a combination of six months of experience and one year above high school; or a six-month healthcare experience and successful completion of a course for health care technicians; or a six-month healthcare experience and independent study 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).
• Grade Determinations: GS 5–GS 8 (full performance level). For GS‑5–GS‑8, candidates must demonstrate the appropriate KSAs and experience as listed below.
• GS‑5 KSAs: Knowledge of outpatient clinical policies; ability to obtain and record demographic and medical information; use of basic ophthalmic equipment; knowledge of basic disinfection.
• GS‑6 KSAs: Knowledge of general outpatient policies; documentation skills; basic ophthalmic equipment use; basic disinfection; etc.
• GS‑7 KSAs: Knowledge of eye anatomy and function; outpatient eye care procedures; use of diagnostic equipment; minor extraocular surgical assisting; patient education.
• GS‑8 KSAs: Advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation; intraocular lens calculation; surgical assisting; optics; medication instillation; equipment maintenance.
• Preferred: COA certification with 2 years ophthalmology experience in Refractions, Zeiss, or OL Biometry.

Physical Requirements

• 20/40 or better vision in one or both eyes.
• Use of both upper and lower extremities.
• Dexterity to handle small instruments.
• Ability to lift 20 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.
• Assist in eye diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow‑up care, and patient counseling.
• Obtain, document, and record demographic and medical information to develop an accurate medical record.
• Use basic ophthalmic equipment and take accurate medical and ophthalmic history.
• Measure and record visual acuity; administer anesthetic and dilating eye drops; perform basic tonometry.
• Estimate anterior chamber depth and triage patient phone calls or requests.
• Ensure exam rooms are stocked with adequate supplies and instruct patients on eye drop administration and post‑operative instructions.
• Accurately measure and evaluate pupillary responses; perform basic color vision screening; advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation.
• Fit eye glasses; perform basic visual field testing; perform basic imaging such as corneal topography, external photography, pachymetry, tear production tests, glare testing, stereo acuity, contrast sensitivity, etc.; measure spectacles using automated and manual lensometry and transposing cylinders.
• Assist ophthalmologist during minor ophthalmic surgical procedures, applying sterile technique and infection control procedures.
• Perform autorefractor to determine spectacle prescription.
• Participate in quality assurance activities such as staff meetings, mandatory educational in‑services, quality control reports, system redesign, and team morale improvement.
• Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Pay: Competitive salary with regular increases and benefits (paid time off, parental leave, child care subsidy, retirement, etc., as per VA policy).