This Health Technician (Ophthalmology) position is in surgical services at the Boston VA Healthcare System, located at the Jamaica Plain location. This position is full time at 40 hours per week.

Duties

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: Ophthalmology Technicians support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) triages patient phone calls or requests; ensures exam rooms are stocked with adequate supplies; instructs patients on administration of eye drops and post-operative instructions; accurately measures, compares, and evaluates pupillary responses; administers eye drops to dilate pupils; performs basic color vision screening; performs visual field testing (using Amsler grid or automated equipment). Performs basic imaging testing such as corneal topography; external photography; performs basic ocular testing such as pachymetry, tear production with test strips, glare testing, stereo acuity, contrast sensitivity, potential acuity meter, measuring spectacles using both automated and manual lensometry and transposing cylinders. The employee assists the ophthalmologist during minor ophthalmic surgical procedures and is adept at applying sterile technique and infection control procedures. Performs autorefractor to determine spectacle prescription. At the GS-8 level, duties will include, but are not limited to: Performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures with responsibility for checking calibration of instruments prior to the procedure. Works with the patient's capabilities to obtain the best information from the patient including medical history or specific test results. Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve. 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 nonprescription medications. Performs patient screening and triage emergencies identifying ocular emergencies. Measures eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism in both plus and minus cylinder. 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. Have full responsibility for the technical aspects of the procedure. The incumbent performs a variety of procedures using numerous instruments and equipment. Educates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care, including preoperative and postoperative instructions. Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvature. 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. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am-4:30pm Compressed Schedule:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Functional Statement #:523-F1066 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet all the requirement by the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. 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 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. GRADE REQUIREMENTS Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-8 (Full Performance Level) 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: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G52 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Boston Healthcare System 940 Belmont Street Brockton, MA 02301 US
• Name: James Blair
• Phone: 315-425-4400 X52050
• Email: [email protected]