Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

Veterans Health Administration; Salem (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Salem VA Medical Center, is seeking two Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) to perform advanced diagnostic and clinical duties in ocular care.

Responsibilities include testing visual function, administering eye medications, assisting during procedures, and ensuring instrument calibration and sterilization. The role requires COA certification, English proficiency, and relevant health care experience or education per VA standards.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in a health care field (nursing, medical assistant, or health technician).
• Two years above high school with health care related study or an associate degree.
• Experience/education combinations qualify if they meet VA standards.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive ocular assessments including visual acuity testing with/without correction.
• Measure intraocular pressure using Goldmann tonometry.
• Conduct automated refractometry and keratometry as part of pre/post-op care.
• Assist in ophthalmic surgeries and post-operative patient education.

Skills

Ophthalmology knowledge

Clinical measurement techniques

Patient care

Education

One year of experience in health care field

Two years above high school in health care or associate degree

Experience/Education combination examples

Tools

Lensometer

Goldmann tonometer

OCT (optical coherence tomography)

Perimetry

Job description

The Salem Veterans Affairs Health Care System is looking for two Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) to work in the Department of Surgery. The incumbent must have in-depth knowledge of the functions of the visual system, optics, and basic ophthalmic pharmacology. In addition, an exceptional knowledge of ocular physiology and microbiology. This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Salem VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Salem, Virginia. 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.

NOTE: Your resume must include job title, duties listed for each position, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

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: Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 38 U.S.C. 7407(d).
• Experience and Education:
• (1) Experience. One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to nursing, medical assistant, or health technician. OR,
• (2) 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,
• (3) 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.
• 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). The exception only applies below the full performance level.

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

In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.

GS-8 (Full Performance Level)

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level.

Assignment

This is considered to be the full performance level for this assignment. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) at this level performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures with responsibility for checking calibration of instruments prior to the procedure. Responsible for obtaining 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. Responsible for measuring 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. Performance of external photographs and fundus photography. Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve. Performs patient screening and triage emergencies identifying ocular emergencies. Performs patient screening and telephone triage for immediate care. 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.

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
7. Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment

Preferred Experience

In-depth knowledge of the functions of the visual system, optics and basic ophthalmic pharmacology. In addition, an exceptional knowledge of ocular physiology and microbiology is required. Clinical acumen to recognize ocular emergencies and ophthalmic complications is required so that appropriate triage of patients can be undertaken.

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements of this position include occasional lifting, prolonged standing and sitting, frequent bending, walking (distance), climbing, reaching (overhead, extensive/repetitive), repetitive motion, and stooping. The mental/sensory requirements include recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing, speaking clearly, writing legibly, reading, and logical thinking.