Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

Veterans Health Administration; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration seeks a skilled Ophthalmic Assistant at the GS-8 level to support ophthalmology clinics in patient assessment and lens calculations. The role requires knowledge of eye anatomy, tonometry, and safe medication administration under supervision.

The position emphasizes accuracy, patience, and ability to work in a fast-paced clinic environment with complex patient needs.

Qualifications

• 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.
• One year of experience in a health care field such as nursing, medical assistant, or health technician.
• Certification as COA/COT/COMT by JCAHPO is required.

Skills

Advanced tonometry

Pupil evaluation

Intraocular lens calculations

Eye anatomy and physiology

Medication effects in the eye

Eye optics

Clinic equipment maintenance

Education

Associate’s degree in health care

Two years above high school with six semester hours related to health care

COA certification

Job description

Basic Requirements

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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Experience and Education-Transcripts Submitted Experience

One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to nursing, medical assistant, or health technician.

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.

Experience/Education Combination

Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below: Six months of experience in the health care field; and one year above high school; or 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 Six months of experience in the health care field and completion of an independent study course in Ophthalmic Medical Assisting.

Certification

Documentation Submitted 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).

Note on 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: GS-8 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: 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

Certified COA/COT/COMT Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements

This position requires visual acuity, the ability to distinguish basic colors, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and above average manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, kneeling, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing moderately heavy objects, and reaching and stretching to set up and take apart equipment. Lifting, positioning, and transferring patients and objects of 45 pounds and over may be required. The incumbent may have regular and recurring exposure to infectious and contagious diseases, contaminated materials, odors, and other risks which require special health and safety precautions such as wearing protective clothing like gloves, masks, or lead aprons. This position is evaluated as category level I in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards; the position requires the performance of tasks that involve exposure to blood and potentially infectious body fluids. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. High levels of physical energy and stamina are needed to cope with the demands of this rigorous job. Good strength and well-developed musculoskeletal function are necessary for occasional lifting, positioning, or transferring of sedated patients. Highly refined dexterity is necessary to handle the demands of sophisticated procedural equipment. Excellent visual skills are necessary for evaluating the