Health Technician (Optometry)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks an experienced Health Technician (Optometry) to support advanced eye examinations, triage, and patient education. The role involves testing visual acuity, refractive measures, imaging, and assisting optometrists in complex procedures in a hospital setting.

The candidate will work with ophthalmic equipment, perform screenings, education, and follow safety protocols, contributing to comprehensive care for veterans with diverse eye conditions.

Qualifications

• One year of experience as a health technician or assistant in the health care field.
• Knowledge of ocular pharmacology and ocular side effects of systemic medications.
• English language proficiency (spoken and written).
• Demonstrated ability to educate patients on eye/vision conditions.

Responsibilities

• Calibrate ophthalmology screening instruments.
• Obtain patient history including chief complaint and symptoms.
• Test visual acuity with/without correction and pinhole.
• Measure eyeglass prescription with a lensometer.
• Instill eye medications under supervision.
• Perform intraocular pressure measurement and corneal thickness checks.
• Conduct automated visual field testing and fundus photography.
• Educate patients and care representatives on eye care and safety.

Skills

Patient education and training

Ophthalmic testing

Triage of patients

Eye care procedures

Education

Two academic years above high school related to health technician/optometry

Tools

Lensometer

Autorefraction/ophthalmic instruments

OCT/ophthalmic imaging equipment

Job description

Summary

The health technician (optometry) at the advanced level demonstrates knowledge of complex examinations and techniques - including advanced color vision testing - perimetry - ophthalmic imaging and diagnostic testing - triage of patients - patient education and training for complex eye and vision conditions - and demonstrates knowledge of ocular pharmacology and ocular side effects of systemic medications.

Qualifications

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
• Education or Training: Experience
• One year of experience as a health technician or assistant in the health care field demonstrating the applicant's ability to perform the work or by demonstrating a basic understanding of work in the health care field
• OR Education
• Successful completion of two academic years above high school with a minimum of 12 semester hours related to health technician/assistant or health technician (optometry)/assistant or associate degree - or completion of an independent study course in an optometry related technician or assistant field
• OR Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying
• Examples: (a) Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge of optometry assistant theory and practices and general understanding of the health technician/assistant duties and one year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health technician/assistant or health technician (optometry)/assistant related courses (b) Successful completion of a course for health care technicians or assistants - hospital corpsmen - medical service specialists - or hospital training in a program given by the U.S. Armed Forces - the U.S. Maritime Service - or the U.S. Public Health Service - may be substituted on a month-for-month basis
• Licensure/Certification/Registration
• None
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• 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 Requirements: In addition to the basic requirements - you must meet the following grade requirements
• GS-08 Health Technician (Optometry)
• You must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-07 level
• Specialized experience includes - but is not limited to: measuring and recording visual acuity
• evaluate pupillary light responses and measure pupil size - determine the presence or absence of fusion and perform stereoacuity measurements
• administer eye drops under the supervision of an eye care provider
• assist the eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with ophthalmic procedures
• provide patient education and training to manage complex eye and vision conditions
• reading a basic spectacle prescription using an automated or manual lensometer - performing confrontation and standard automated visual field testing and administering and scoring basic color vision tests
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level - the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to provide patient education and training to manage complex eye and vision conditions
• Knowledge of advanced triage of patients depending upon level of urgency or optometry needs
• Knowledge of complex - non-standard treatment and/or complex examinations and techniques
• Knowledge of ocular pharmacology and systemic medications with ocular side effects
• Specialized Experience: 1+ year of Eye Health Technician Experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position - with or without reasonable accommodation - without hazard to themselves or others
• Depending on the essential duties of a specific position - usable vision - color vision - hearing or speech may be required
• however - in most cases - a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid.

Duties

• Major Duties and Responsibilities to include but are not limited to: Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments
• Obtains patient physical history - to include chief complaint
• reason for visit
• pertinent signs and symptoms
• current medication allergies
• past ocular and general medical 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
• Performs swinging flashlight test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect
• Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter
• Instills eye medications (drops or ointments - including anesthetic - dye - dilating drops - cycloplegic drops)
• Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques - including Goldmann applanation tonometry
• Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvature
• 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
• Educates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care 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
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized