The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) position is located in the Surgical Care Service Line at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL

Duties

Full performance level of a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) is a GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to a GS-8. The major duties described below are at the full-performance level of a GS-8. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) at this level performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures with responsibility for checking calibration of instruments prior to the procedure. Responsible for obtaining patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs/symptoms; past 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. Accurately 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, and any abnormalities, including relative afferent pupillary defect. Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter. Instills eye medications (i.e., drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilation, cycloplegic, or antibiotics. Responsible for measuring intraocular pressure of the eye utilizing 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 the IOL Master. Performs automated visual field testing using various perimetry machines. Performance of external photographs and fundus photography. Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve. Performs patient screening and triage emergencies identifying ocular emergencies. Performs patient screening and telephone triage for immediate care. 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 hyphema, repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts, intra-vitreous 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 through Friday - 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: Not availableVirtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: The following are the basic requirements and qualifications for this position at the GS-5 grade level. English Language Proficiency: Health Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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 6 semester hours directly related to health care field or associate degree in a health care related degree Transcripts Required. --OR-- Basic Combination Education and Experience: 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 specialist, 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. Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements above the following is the amount of experience required to qualify for this position at the GS-5, GS-6, GS-7 or GS-8 grade levels. GS-5 Health Technician (Ophthalmology), Entry Level: None beyond the basic requirements as per the above. GS-6 Health Technician (Ophthalmology),Developmental Level 1: At least 1 year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-5). In addition, demonstrating the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of general outpatient clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment; (b) Ability to obtain, document and record demographic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate medical record; (c) Ability to use basic ophthalmic equipment; and (d) Knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment. GS-7 Health Technician (Ophthalmology), Developmental Level II: Experience. At least 1 year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-6). In addition, demonstrating the following KSAs: In addition, demonstrating the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of anatomy and function of the eye and basic ocular pharmacology; (b) Knowledge of outpatient eye care policies and procedures in a health care environment; (c) Ability to use basic ophthalmic diagnostic equipment to perform preliminary ocular testing; (d) Ability to perform minor extraocular surgical assisting; and (e) Ability to provide eye care patient education. GS-8 Health Technician (Ophthalmology), Full Performance Level: Experience. At least 1 year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7). In addition, demonstrating the following KSAs: (a) Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation; (b) Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens; (c) Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting; (d) Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology; (e) Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye; (f) Knowledge of optics; and (g) Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. References: VA Handbook 5005/98, Part II, Appendix G52, Health Technician (Ophthalmology) Qualification Standards, 2/7/2018

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 Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 820 South Damen Avenue Chicago, IL 60612 US
• Name: Larry LaRoche
• Phone: 708-202-8387 X28161
• Email: [email protected]