Ophthalmology Technicians in the support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. The Full Performance Health Technician performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures, assists during clinic-based surgical procedures, educates patients and legal representatives, assists with the education of medical students and residents. The Full Performance Health Technician may perform many "direct patient care services" supervision.

Duties

Assisting the ophthalmologist/optometrists in performance of his/her duties by accomplishing tasks of a technical nature that can include eye examinations, visual acuity, measurement of intraocular pressure, neutralization of glasses, and manifest refraction. Perform specific examination procedures at the request of the provider and will independently carry out these requests, to include automated visual field testing, OCT testing, periocular and intraocular photography, retinal angiography, Ascan and Bscan measurements, and Keratometry measurements. Secures patients confidence, and cooperation during procedures, interviews and collects medical and other relevant patient information. Answers patient's questions during procedures, and positions patients for desired results and adjusts patient's position to accommodate their medical condition. Responsible for the maintenance and general care of all optical and mechanical equipment utilized in the clinic. Determines technical factors, sets controls and operates equipment and instruments routinely. Sets up and adjusts specialized equipment with multiple features. This involves the periodic cleaning of optical lenses used for refraction and optical components not related to warranties or service contracts. Makes precise adjustments to clarify reading and measurements. Stocking of spare supplies to supplement expanded material will be maintained and ordered by the incumbent. Clinical and diagnostic photography to record or determine ocular pathology or the lack there of. Such critical methods of ophthalmic photography as fluorescein retinal angiography will be accomplished, requiring competent knowledge of photographic principles and disciplines. Perform macrophotography, utilizing complex photography systems and diversified illumination sources to include slit lamp photography. Provide necessary surgical instrumentation for various ophthalmic procedures. Care of this instrumentation will be the responsibility of the incumbent. Ensure that the Eye Clinic is supplied and equipped to accomplish scheduled procedures. Utilize computer based electronic medical record as well as email communication and correspondence. Responsible for handling of materials, filing, and retrieval of clinical photographic records. Technician will perform all other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 7:30am to 4:00pm. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21Y92A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorizes. 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. 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's degree in a health care related degree. OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below: Six months of experience in the health care field; and one year above high school; or 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 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). Exception: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements may be appointed as a graduate Health Technician (Ophthalmology) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) that provides care under the supervision of an Ophthalmologist. The exception only applies below the full performance level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level the candidate must be certified. Failure to obtain COA certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment and may result in termination of employment. 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: Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-5 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-6 (Developmental Level 1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of general outpatient clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment; Ability to obtain, document and record demographic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate medical record; Ability to use basic ophthalmic equipment; and Knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment. Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-7 (Developmental Level 2) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of anatomy and function of the eye and basic ocular pharmacology; Knowledge of outpatient eye care policies and procedures in a health care environment; Ability to use basic ophthalmic diagnostic equipment to perform preliminary ocular testing; Ability to perform minor extraocular surgical assisting; and Ability to provide eye care patient education. 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: Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation; Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens; Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting; Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology; Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye; Knowledge of optics; and Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G52The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8. Preferred Experience: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-08. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.

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 Syracuse VA Medical Center 800 Irving Ave Syracuse, NY 13210 US
• Name: Terrence Davis
• Phone: 585-393-7208
• Email: [email protected]