Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks an Ophthalmology Technician to support Ophthalmologists in a busy Veterans Health Administration clinic in West Palm Beach, FL. You will perform diagnostic procedures, assist in surgeries, and educate patients and families while contributing to resident and student training.

Required COA certification and U.S. citizenship. Minimum health-care experience or education as outlined, with strong English proficiency and dedication to veteran care.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: U.S. citizen. (Non-citizens may be appointed when recruitment is not possible)
• Experience/Education: One year health care field OR two years above high school with related coursework OR combination as described
• Certification: COA as entry-level certification with JCAHPO
• English Language Proficiency: Proficient in spoken and written English

Responsibilities

• Support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling.
• Perform standard but complex diagnostic procedures and assist during clinic-based surgical procedures.
• Educate patients and legal representatives; assist with education of medical students and residents.

Skills

English proficiency

COA certification

Education

Two years above high school

Associate's degree in a health care field

COA certification

Job description

Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures, assists during clinic-based surgical procedures, educates patients and legal representatives, assists with the education of medical students and residents.

Basic Requirements (all applicants must meet the following basic requirements):

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
• 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.
• 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).
• 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).

Preferred Qualifications:

Two years experience as an Ophthalmology Technician.

Grade Determinations

GS-8 (Full Performance Level) candidates must have:

• (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level.
• (b) 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.
• (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following
  • 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.

Physical Requirements:

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Reference:

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