Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. The Full Performance Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures, assists during clinic-based surgical procedures, educated patients and legal representatives, assists with the education of medical students and residents.

Duties

Duties may include, but not limited to: Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments. 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 performs swinging light test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect. Performs basic refractometry utilizing an autorefraction or habitual eyeglass prescription in the phoropter. Accurately tests visual acuity at distance and near with and without correction or with and without pinhole. Instills eye medications (drops or ointment, including anesthetic, dye, dilating drops, cycloplegic drops, or antibiotic). Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection, calibration maintenance, backup, annual inventory and ordering of instruments supplies and equipment; obtains quotes as needed; and reports needed to repairs to biomedical engineering. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. 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: Proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Certification: Certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). 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 degree in a health care field OR Combination of Experience and Education: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below: a). Six months of experience in the health care field; and one year above high school; or b). 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 c). Six months of experience in the health care field and completion of an independent study course in Ophthalmic Medical Assisting. Grade Determinations: GS-05 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) (Entry Level) None beyond the basic requirements listed above. GS-06 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) (Developmental Level 1) Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-06 do you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) AND GS-06 Knowledge, skills and abilities, that must be clearly demonstrated in your resume: 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. Knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment. GS-07 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) (Developmental Level 2) Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 do you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06) AND GS-07 Knowledge, skills and abilities, that must be clearly demonstrated in your resume: 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. Ability to provide eye care patient education. Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities. GS-08 (Full Performance Level) Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-08 you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) AND GS-08 Knowledge, skills and abilities, that must be clearly demonstrated in your resume: 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. Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment. 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). Preferred Experience: None References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G52 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: This work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment or assisting patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. The incumbent may be required to travel to cover clinics in the area including the Main VA Clinic in Charleston, SC and the Joint Base Clinic in Goose Creek, SC.

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

Contacts

• Address Ralph H Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 109 Bee Street Charleston, SC 29401 US
• Name: Kunita Snead
• Phone: (404) 476-0994
• Email: [email protected]