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).

Duties

Current, permanent VA employees or Federal employees from another agency should apply using announcement: CBST-12220326-24-AC Duties include, but not limited to: Assist with efficient patient movement throughout the eye clinic. Demonstrates the agility to alter procedures to meet the special needs of our patient population. Advanced knowledge of eye anatomy and function. Obtain, document, and record ophthalmic and medical information from patients to develop an accurate electronic progress note. This includes patient intake information related to accurate medical/ophthalmic health history. Practice hygiene and infection control in a patient care setting. This includes proper cleaning and disinfection of examination rooms and stocks each room with the required supplies. Understands hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection of reusable medical equipment instruments and ophthalmic equipment. Knowledge of ophthalmic medications and supplies needed in the process of restocking the eye clinic exam rooms. Follow eye clinic and patient care medical policies and procedures. Ability to write to basic standard operating procedures or documents for eye care tasks. Ability to perform advanced eyeglasses repairs, such as replacing nose pads and screws and custom adjustments to meet the special needs of our Veteran population. Ability to perform patient spectacle fitting and dispensing, including selection of appropriate frames, 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 transfer data for eyeglass orders through the prosthetics process including medical record documentation. Properly read spectacle prescription using an automated or manual lensometer. Ability to triage and manage eyeglass issues (e.g. measurement of vertex distance, base curve, prism correction, center thickness, slab off, Fresnel prism, decentration, etc.) Provide triage of patient telephone calls or optometry requests consistent with full performance. 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. This may also include prosthetic eye insertion, removal, hygiene or polishing. Ability to accurately enter into a phoropter the autorefractometry or habitual refractive prescription (i.e. eyeglass prescription) or lensometer findings, including sphere, cylinder, and axis. Ability to properly document and code eye clinic procedures for eye testing performed during the patient encounter. Perform screening procedures for automated testing to gather ophthalmic intake information. This may include autorefractometry, kerotometry, confrontation and standard automated visual field testing and basic manual perimetry, administering and scoring basic color vision testing (e.g. pseudoisochromatic plates, Farnsworth D-15). Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 564-00677-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. 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/or Education: 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 combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. 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. or 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. Grade Determinations: Grade Requirements: GS-07 Requirements 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. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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. Preferred Experience: 1 year of Optometry/Ophthalmic technician experience References: VA Handbook 5005/96, Part II Appendix G68, Health Technician-Telehealth Clinical Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: Physical Demands: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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 Fayetteville AR VA Medical Center 1100 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 US
• Name: Ashley Coleman
• Phone: 601-206-6900 X66909
• Email: [email protected]