Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counselling. At the Advanced Level, Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) perform difficult ophthalmic technical duties with considerable latitude for exercise of independent judgement.

Duties

Duties may include, but not limited to: 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 perform advanced color vision testing of the entire visual spectrum to detect complex color vision defects such as monochromats, dichromats, and anomalous trichromats Performs refractometry utilizing retinoscopy to determine spectacle prescription. Measures eyeglass prescriptions using manual lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis and prism in both plus and minus cylinder. Performs A-scan ultrasonography, including intra-ocular lens calculations, using immersion A-scan on eyes with complex pathology such as corneal scarring, irregular and/or high astigmatism, zonular weakness, high refractive error that requires multiple alternative calculating formulas. Performs B-scan ultrasonography to identify intraocular masses or abnormalities. May assist as scrub technician in main OR surgical procedures, set up of sterile fields, operation and maintenance of phacoemulsification and vitrectomy units, cryosurgery, endolaser units, all of which require a thorough understanding of complex instrumentation and the ability to troubleshoot problems quickly and efficiently during surgical procedures and care of instruments. Assists with the microbiology testing of patients with sight-threatening ocular infections, preparing instrumentation and media for intraocular biopsy and/or culture. 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-09 (Advanced Level) Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-09 you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08) AND GS-09 Knowledge, skills and abilities, that must be clearly demonstrated in your resume: Ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities of a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) in order to effectively complete job duties of assignment such as distributing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, monitoring accuracy of work, etc. Ability to communicate effectively in order to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels. Ability to assist in Health Technician (Ophthalmology) development, outcome management, and strategic planning. Ability to act as liaison between Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) to resolve informal employee complaints and concerns. 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 G25 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-09 (Advanced Level). 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]