The Health Tech is located in the Primary Care Optometry Section of the Eye Center at the Memphis VA Medical Center, Jackson CBOC location and is responsible for clinic coverage at the medical center and outlying clinics. The incumbent performs optometric technician duties in support of the care and treatment given by the clinic.

Duties

The health technician (optometry) at the full performance level measures and accurately records visual acuity; obtains accurate specialized visual acuity measurements; accurately assesses accommodation, near point of convergence, and ocular alignment; and determines a preliminary objective estimate of optical status of the eye (not to include final subjective refraction). They accurately evaluate pupillary light responses and measure pupil size; perform Amsler grid testing; administer eye drops under the supervision of an eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist); perform basic tonometry; estimate anterior chamber depth using a penlight or slit lamp biomicroscope; obtain spectacle prescription using a lensometer; obtain accurate autorefractometry and keratometry measurements; perform visual field testing and basic color vision testing; measure and record corneal thickness, exophthalmometry, tear testing, and ocular imaging; and triage and manage eyeglasses issues. Health technicians (optometry) at this level assist with ophthalmic procedures performed by eye care providers (optometrists and ophthalmologists) and provide advanced patient education for eye and/or vision conditions. Perform duties such as measuring and recording visual acuity (with use of pinhole testing as indicated), obtaining accurate potential acuity meter, laser interferometry, contrast sensitivity or other specialized visual acuity measurements. The technicians also evaluate pupillary light responses and measure pupil size, determine the presence or absence of fusion and perform stereoacuity measurements. The health technicians (optometry) perform Amsler grid testing, administer eye drops under the supervision of an eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist), perform basic tonometry (e.g., non-contact, Goldmann, Tono-Pen) and estimate the anterior chamber depth with a penlight or slit lamp biomicroscope. The technicians are skilled in properly reading a basic spectacle prescription using an automated or manual lensometer, obtaining accurate autorefractometry and keratometry measurements, performing confrontation and standard automated visual field testing and administrating and scoring basic color vision tests (e.g., pseudoischromatic plates, Farnsworth D-15). The technicians are also adept at measuring and recording corneal thickness by pachymetry as well as performance of advanced corneal measurements, exophthalmometry, tear testing and ocular imaging (e.g., stereo fundus, basic slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular lens master measurements, ocular ultrasonography, posterior segment optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence and/or ocular angiography). Work Schedule: Full Time Monday - Friday 08:00am - 04:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 50332-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. 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: Basic Experience: One (1) year of experience as a health technician or assistant in the health care field demonstrating the applicant's ability to perform the work or be demonstrating a basic understanding of work in the health care field.--OR-- Basic Education: Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree 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. Transcripts Required.--OR-- Basic Combination Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of experience and educations 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 (1) year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health technician/assistant or health technician optometry/assistant related courses. and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours related to the health care industry. 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 Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above the following is the amount of experience required to qualify for this position at the GS-7 grade level. GS-7 Full Performance Level: At least 1 full year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-06) as a Health Technician (Optometry). In addition, demonstration of the following KSAs.(1) 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.(2) 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.)(3) Ability to perform accurate assessment of accommodation, near point of convergence and ocular alignment (far and near).(4) Ability to assist the eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with ophthalmic procedures.(5) Ability to assist with obtaining accurate ocular cultures and smears.(6) Knowledge and ability to provide advanced patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions. Preferred Experience: Prior optometry or ophthalmology health technician experience References: VA Handbook 5005/142 Part II Appendix G68 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Work is mostly sedentary with some walking, standing, bending, and mild lifting.

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 Memphis VA Medical Center 1030 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, TN 38104 US
• Name: Tracy Binion
• Phone: 314-939-8817
• Email: [email protected]