Lead Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Goose Creek (SC)

On-site

USD 62,000 - 80,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Federal health insurance

Federal pension

Federal 401K

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Goose Creek, SC, seeks an Ophthalmology Technician to support ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. The Advanced Level involves complex duties and independent judgment within a federal healthcare setting.

The role includes pupil evaluation, color vision and refractive testing, A-scan and B-scan ultrasonography, and assisting in ophthalmic surgeries. Regular schedule is Mon-Fri with competitive federal pay and benefits.

Qualifications

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.
If you are using foreign education, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript to receive credit.

Responsibilities

Performs pupil evaluation, recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and swinging light test for RAPD.
Performs advanced color vision testing to detect complex color vision defects.
Performs refractometry using retinoscopy and records sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism.
Performs A-scan ultrasonography and B-scan ultrasonography for intraocular measurements and pathology.
Assists as scrub technician in major ophthalmic surgeries and sets up sterile fields.
Assists with microbiology testing of ocular infections.

Education

Note: Education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care, and patient counselling. At the Advanced Level, Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) perform complex ophthalmic technical duties with considerable latitude to exercise independent judgment.

Key Responsibilities

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties may include, but are not limited to: Performs pupil evaluation, recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and performs the swinging light test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect.

Performs advanced color vision testing of the entire visual spectrum to detect complex color vision defects such as monochromats, dichromats, and anomalous trichromats Performs refractometry utilizing retinoscopy to determine spectacle prescription. Measures eyeglass prescriptions using a manual lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism in both plus and minus cylinder.

Performs A-scan ultrasonography, including intraocular lens calculations, using immersion A-scan on eyes with complex pathology such as corneal scarring, irregular and/or high astigmatism, zonular weakness, high refractive error that requires multiple alternative calculating formulas. Performs B-scan ultrasonography to identify intraocular masses or abnormalities.

May assist as scrub technician in main OR surgical procedures, set up of sterile fields, operation and maintenance of phacoemulsification and vitrectomy units, cryosurgery, endolaser units, all of which require a thorough understanding of complex instrumentation and the ability to troubleshoot problems quickly and efficiently during surgical procedures and care of instruments.

Assists with the microbiology testing of patients with sight-threatening ocular infections, preparing instrumentation and media for intraocular biopsy and/or culture.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not eligible Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not eligible
Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 62397F

Requirements & Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $61722 – $80243/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-09.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.