The Health Technician (Optometry) position is organizationally aligned to the Specialty Service at VAIHCS located in Danville, Illinois. The primary purpose is to serve as health technician for the staff Optometrists within the Specialty Service, performing a variety of health care and clinical support responsibilities.

Duties

Collaborate and assist members of the health care team in data collection, visual screening (near vision, distance vision, condition of the pupil and intraocular pressure), and general care for patients ranging in age from 18 to geriatric. Conduct initial interview with patients to gather patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs and symptoms; past history ocular history; past medical history; family ocular and medical history; social history; review of medications and allergies, including all ocular medications and non-prescription medications. Orient patient and set up equipment in preparation of routine tests. Measure and record corrected and uncorrected visual acuities and distance and near. Determine if vision can be improved with minor changes to lens or pinhole device. Measure and record the optical power of the spectacle correction using a lensometer. Measure refractive error and corneal curvature using automated instrumentation. Perform testing of contrast sensitivity, color vision, stereo acuity, glare sensitivity, and pupil function. Perform basic ocular motility testing. Administer cycloplegic and mydriatic drugs for fundus examination. Assist the physician in performing specialized procedures including applanation tonometry, pachymetry, and keratometry. Perform corneal topography, lens biometry, optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the posterior segment, and fundus photography. Perform preliminary manifest refractions. Accurately measure and record both central and peripheral visual fields using both automated and manual visual field testing instrumentation. Instill drops and ointments in the patient's eyes as directed by the optometrist. Provide patient care as assigned to include documentation of health care activities in the medical record. Document data collected in patient encounters in the medical record. Ensure proper cleaning and disinfection of all clinic equipment and supplies. Work with appropriate logistics and biomedical engineering staff to ensure calibration, maintenance, back-up, and inventory, of instruments, supplies, and equipment. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Health Technician (Optometry) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: 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: 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. 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-07 GRADE LEVEL REQUIREMENTS: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, GS-06 performing duties such as operating and monitoring commonly used equipment performing basic screening procedures, understanding basic hygiene, cleaning and disinfection of reusable medical equipment (RME) instruments and ophthalmic equipment, ophthalmic equipment, and assisting optometry staff by obtaining an accurate medical/ophthalmic history, as well as coding and entering eye testing performed on the encounter form. AND In addition to experience above, 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. Preferred Experience: Optometry Technician or Ophthalmology Technician experience References: VA Handbook 5005/142, Part II, Appendix G68 Physical Requirements: Work requires walking, standing, lifting, bending, and sitting. Work requires moving and transporting light items (such as supplies, charts, and equipment) on a regular and reoccurring basis.

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 Danville VA Medical Center 1900 East Main Street Danville, IL 61832 US
• Name: Lyndsay Thomas
• Phone: 217-510-8036
• Email: [email protected]