The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs technical, clinical care to patients who have received care provided by Ophthalmologists for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care, and patient counseling. They also perform screening procedures such as patient history, pupil responses, visual acuity, and color vision testing.

Duties

This position is covered by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) bargaining unit. Per the Master Agreement, the Area of Consideration will be: FIRST - Facility-wide (including satellites) except: SECOND - Administration or Staff office posting the vacancy. Duties of the position include but are not limited to: Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments. Obtains patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs and symptoms; current medication allergies; past ocular and general medical 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. Tests visual acuity at distance and near, with and without correction or with and without a pinhole. Measures eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism in both plus and minus cylinder. Performs pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation. Performs swinging flashlight test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect. Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter. Instills eye medications ( drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilating drops, cycloplegic drops, or antibiotics). Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques, including Goldmann applanation tonometry. Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvature. Performs intra-ocular lens calculations using an IOL Master or equivalent device. Performs automated visual field testing using various perimetry machines. Performs external photographs and fundus photography. Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve. Performs patient screening and triage of potentially urgent ocular conditions. 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 hyphemia, repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts, intravitreous injections, and laser surgical procedures. Educates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care, including preoperative and postoperative instructions. 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, Tour Schedule TBD by Service after selection. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52056F 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. NOTE: This applies to past, current, and upcoming VA Health Professions Trainees (HPT) only. VA HPT is an individual appointed to temporary positions in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experiences to satisfy program or degree requirements or admitted to the VA Health Professional Scholarship Program. HPTs can be either VA-paid or Without Compensation (WOC). 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. Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. 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. (transcripts required) OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. (transcripts required) 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). (copy of certification required) Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) by February 7, 2018 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification requirements. In addition to the BASIC REQUIREMENTS, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. HEALTH TECHNICIAN (OPHTHALMOLOGY) GS-08 GRADE DETERMINATION: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. Examples of experience include but are not limited to: Experience triaging patient phone calls or requests; ensuring exam rooms are stocked with adequate supplies; instructing patients on administration of eye drops and post-operative instructions; accurately measuring, comparing, and evaluating pupillary responses; administering eye drops to dilate pupils; performing basic color vision screening; performing visual field testing (using Amsler grid or automated equipment); performing basic imaging testing such as corneal topography; external photography; performing 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; assisting the ophthalmologist during minor ophthalmic surgical procedures and is adept at applying sterile technique and infection control procedures; and performing autorefractor to determine spectacle prescription. In addition, candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 5005/98 PART II, APPENDIX G52 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The work is performed in an office setting. The position requires some standing, bending, and carrying items such as training materials. perform the work.

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/.

NOTE: 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]