Five Health Technician positions available with Optometry within the Surgical Care Service of Phoenix VA Healthcare System. Must be able to obtain, document, and record ophthalmic and medical information from patients to develop an accurate electronic progress note. They must have knowledge of basic eye anatomy and function. They can perform minor eyeglasses repairs.

Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to : Perform difficult and responsible ophthalmic technology duties with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. Perform duties such as advanced color vision testing advanced perimetry including both automated and manual techniques. Perform advanced ophthalmic imaging and diagnostic testing (e.g., anterior segment optical coherence tomography, advanced ultrasonography, confocal microscopy, electro-diagnostic testing, etc.). Provide patient education and training and vision rehabilitation services. Independently provides direct patient care services related to patient education, selection, ordering, verification, troubleshooting, adjustment and repair of ophthalmic lenses and eyewear. Takes measurements of interpupillary distances, optical centers, and multifocal or progressive addition lens segment heights will be accurately obtained and documented. Adjust eyeglasses for comfortable fit and proper alignment of optical centers and segment heights for optimal visual performance and will instruct/educate patients on how to wear and care for eyeglasses. Have the skills to repair broken or defective eyeglasses. Acts the front-line staff member for patients with concerns regarding eyewear and will triage patient concerns by manual or automated lensometry verification, troubleshooting all optical issues and verify with that eyeglass fabrication is completed as prescribed. Consistently communicates and treats Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner and handles conflict and Veteran concerns constructively and appropriately. Documents patient care activities properly and clearly in the patient's electronic record in a timely manner. Tracks eyeglass orders weekly for verification of receipt of consult and obtain tracking information as needed to assist the Veteran. Following appropriate infection control guidelines, cleans and disinfects equipment and sample frames, uses proper hand hygiene between patient encounters, and maintains optical space, including frame displays and fitting area. The technicians assist optometry staff by obtaining an accurate medical/ophthalmic history as well as coding and entering eye testing performed on the encounter form. The technicians operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing basic screen procedures Assists patients in the selection of frames, coordinating with the optical prescription Adjusts frame and lens positions to fit the patent. Completes necessary measurements for accurate order of eyeglasses. Manages and monitors eyeglass dispensing to ensure timeliness of delivery to patients. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 4/10 hour shifts, days off will vary Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Available Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. ? 7407(a) English Language Proficiency. Health Technician (Optometry) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f) Experience and Education. (1) 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 are listed below: 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. 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. 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). Licensure/Certification/Registration. None. Grandfathering Provision. All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: They may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) Health Technicians (Optometry) who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Health Technician (Optometry), GS-04 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA). None. Health Technician (Optometry), GS-05 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic eye anatomy and function. Ability to obtain, document and record ophthalmic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate electronic progress note. Ability to practice basic hygiene and infection control in a patient care setting. Ability to follow eye clinic and patient care medical policies and procedures. Ability to perform minor eyeglasses repairs, such as replacing nose pads and screws Health Technician (Optometry), GS-06 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to provide patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions, to include assisting with patient contact lens insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection) care. Ability to accurately enter into a phoropter the autorefractometry or habitual refractive prescription (i.e., eyeglasses prescription) or lensometer findings, including sphere, cylinder and axis. Ability to perform patient spectacle fitting and dispensing, including selection of appropriate frame, ophthalmic lenses, interpupillary measurements (distance and near) and proper segment height determination, as well as the ability to transpose sphere, cylinder and axis. Ability to provide basic triage of patient telephone calls or optometry requests. Knowledge of ophthalmic medications and supplies needed in the process of restocking the eye clinic exam rooms. Health Technician (Optometry), GS-07 Experience. One year of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. 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 determine preliminary objective estimate and/or refinement of the optical status of the eye, not to include the patient's final subjective refraction. Ability to triage and manage eyeglasses issues (e.g., measurement of vertex distance, base curve, prism correction, center thickness, slab off, Fresnel prism, decentration, etc.). Ability to perform accurate assessment of accommodation, near point of convergence and ocular alignment (far and near). Ability to assist the eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with ophthalmic procedures. Ability to assist with obtaining accurate ocular cultures and smears. Knowledge and ability to provide advanced patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions. References: VA Handbook 5005/142, Part II, Appendix G68 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-07. Physical Requirements: Ongoing mix of sitting, standing, walking, bending, and carrying light weight items. Many of the position's major duties require a high degree of manual dexterity and accuracy. Occasional heavy lifting may be required. In some instances, interactions with patients, caregivers, and staff can become intense and the employee may be placed in a position of stress.

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 Carl T Hayden Veterans' Administration Medical Center 650 East Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85012 US
• Name: Merry Caguioa
• Phone: (858)253-0326
• Email: [email protected]