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

Duties

Major Duties of the Health Technician (Ophthalmology), (Advanced Level) include, but are not limited to: Refractometry utilizing retinoscopy to determine spectacle prescription; Kinetic visual field testing (Goldmann); Intraocular pressure measurements by applanation tonometry and other current methods; iv. Pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and any abnormalities, including relative afferent pupillary defect; v. Basic slit lamp bio-microscopy evaluation to check for abnormalities prior to dilation (i.e.: anterior chamber depth/iris anomalies). May perform advanced color vision testing of the entire visual spectrum to detect complex color vision defects such as monochromats, dichromats and anomalous trichromats. 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. Determines the corneal curvature by either manual keratometry or automated topography. Performs fluorescein or indocyanine green (ICG) angiography, with diagnostic photography of retinal vessels. Performs slit lamp photography. May perform anterior segment OCT, confocal microscopy, electroretinography, electrooculography, and visual evoked potential. Assists in minor clinical surgical procedures, including laser surgery and intravitreal injections. May assist as scrub technician in main OR surgical procedures, set up of sterile fields, operation and maintenance of phacoemulsification and vitrectomy units, cryosurgery, endo-laser 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. xvii. Performs thorough preparatory cleaning of critical reusable medical equipment used in surgical procedures. xviii. Responsible for training other health technicians (ophthalmology). Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, subject to change based on needs of the facility. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00084F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

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 Proficiency: Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 38 U.S.C. 7407(d). Experience and/or Education: (1) Experience. One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to nursing, medical assistant, or health technician. OR (2) 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 (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations 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. 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). 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: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Health Technician (Ophthalmology) (Advanced Level), GS-9. Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-8 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 advanced clinical optics, advanced ocular motility, advanced diagnostic testing, and microbiology testing; Knowledge of ophthalmic surgical instruments; Knowledge of appropriate preparatory cleaning of reusable medical equipment; and Ability to assist in ophthalmic surgical procedures performed in the main operation room. Preferred Experience: Possess at least full year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Possess the ability to support multiple medical or health personnel, skillful in the ability to respond to accidents and other emergencies involving injury and/or illness which may be life-threatening and may require basic life support procedures. Proficient with the use of communication equipment and techniques to accurately obtain and relay information to and from dispatchers and health care providers. Knowledgeable of a majority of body systems (i.e., skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and genitourinary) to perform patient examinations. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

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 John L McClellan Memorial Veterans' Hospital 4300 West Seventh Street Little Rock, AR 72205 US
• Name: Jason Willkomm
• Phone: 850-860-1377
• Email: [email protected]