The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) triages patients, ensures efficient clinical functioning, completes screening examination and testing, performs basic & complex imaging/diagnostic testing, assists the ophthalmologist during minor ophthalmic surgical procedures, and is adept in applying sterile technique and infection control procedures. Ophthalmology Technicians in the VHA support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care & patient counseling.

Duties

Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: Follows outpatient clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment. Obtains, documents, and records demographic and medical information from patients to develop an accurate medical record, including medical and ophthalmic history. Uses basic ophthalmic equipment and follows disinfection guidelines for non-critical reusable medical equipment. Measures and records simple spectacle reading through automated lensometry and records visual acuity. Administers anesthetic eye drops and performs basic tonometry. Estimates anterior chamber depth, prior to administration of mydriatic eye drops. Triages patient phone calls or requests; ensures exam rooms are stocked with adequate supplies; instructs patients on administration of eye drops and post-operative instructions; accurately measures, compares, and evaluates pupillary responses; administers eye drops to dilate pupils; performs basic color vision screening; perfo1ms visual field testing (using Amsler grid or automated equipment). Performs basic imaging testing such as corneal topography; external photography; performs 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. Assists the ophthalmologist during minor ophthalmic surgical procedures and applies/ensures sterile technique, infection control procedures, and proper laser protocol are followed. Performs autorefractor to determine spectacle prescription. Respond to the needs of the staff ophthalmologists, the supervisory technician or other designated administrative supervisor who will maintain daily supervision and guidance. Basic screening assignments under daily direct supervision is an integral part of the position. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, complex patients, and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or assistance. Incumbent must meet the needs of customers while supporting VA Missions; consistently communicate and treat customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA Staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner; provide customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures; and handle conflict and problems in dealing with customers constructively and appropriately. Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center Checks calibration of screening instruments. Obtains 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 non-prescription 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., drop or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilation, cycloplegic, or antibiotics.) Measures intraocular pressure of the eye utilizing techniques, including Goldman applanation tonometry. Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to detinning corneal curvature. Performs intra-ocular lens calculations using the IOL Master. 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. Work Schedule: 0800-4:30, Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #: 436-51477-A, 436-51478-A, 436-51479-A, 436-51480-A

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. Experience and Education 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. OR Experience/Education Combination. 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 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). 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. 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment in section A, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-5 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-6 (Developmental Level 1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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 Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-7 (Developmental Level 2) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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 Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-8 (Full Performance Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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 Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment Preferred Experience: At least one year of experience working in an Eye Clinic, Experience using ophthalmology diagnostic and imaging equipment, Experience fitting, dispensing, and adjusting eyeglasses, COA (Certified Ophthalmic Assistant) certification by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology is preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 05 to 08. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Montana VA Health Care System 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]