Optometry Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) supports Optometrists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up, and patient counseling. The Health Technician (Optometry) performs a range of standard, but complex, and diagnostic procedures. The Health Technician (Optometry) may perform many "direct patient care services" under the supervision of Optometrists.

Duties

Clinical Duties: -Checks and performs calibration of technical optometric screening instruments. -Triage and manage eyeglass issues. -Triage and manage optometry clinic issues (measurement of vertex distance, base curve, prism correction, center thickness, slab off, Fresnel prism, decentration, etc.) -Instills eye drops under the supervision of an optometrist. -Verifies eyeglasses, as well as shapes or performs minor repairs as needed. -Measures and accurately records visual acuity. -Accurately assesses accommodation, near point of convergence, and ocular alignment. -Determines a preliminary objective estimate of optical status of the eye (not to include final subjectiverefraction) -Accurately evaluate pupillary light responses and measure pupil size -Perform Amsler grid testing. -Perform basic tonometry. -Estimate anterior chamber depth using a penlight or slit lamp biomicroscope. -Performs and obtain accurate auto-refraction/keratometry measurements. -Performs visual field testing and basic color vision testing. -Perform depth perception testing. -Performs external photographs and fundus photography. -Measure and record corneal thickness, Ex ophthalmometry, tear testing, and ocular imaging. -Perform retinal imaging. -Performs optical coherence tomography of the anterior segment, retina, and optic nerve. -Performs patient screening and triage of potentially urgent ocular conditions. -Enters all consults to orders eyeglasses from Prosthetics to include local and community care orders. -Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection, calibration, and maintenance of ophthalmic equipment. -Assist with ophthalmic procedures performed by optometrist. -Provide advanced patient education for eye and/or vision conditions. Administrative Responsibilities: The incumbent works collaboratively with the Optometrist: -Assists with management of optometry clinic operations. -Act as a liaison for the optometry clinic with Veterans and other service lines. -Maximizes clinic function. -Participates in completing projects to improve care or clinic function as assigned. -Orders supplies and equipment, obtains quotes as needed. -Assists with annual inventory.- Reports needed repairs to biomedical engineering. -Communicates with patients via phone and secure messaging. -Manages voicemails, secure messaging, and faxes. -Utilizes electronic health records for documenting Veteran care and workload capture. Quality Management Responsibility: Prepares and readies clinics for inspections. Completes required training and other required trainings assigned by Supervisor. Participates as requested in addressing related complaints/issues. Work Schedule: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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. (1) Experience. One year of experience as a health technician or assistant in the health care field demonstrating the applicant's ability to perform the work or by demonstrating a basic understanding of work in the health care field; OR (2) Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school with a minimum of 12 semester hours related to health technician/assistant or health technician (optometry)/assistant or associate degree, or completion of an independent study course in an optometry related technician or assistant field; OR (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below: (a) Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge of optometry assistant theory and practices and general understanding of the health technician/assistant duties and one year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health technician/assistant or health technician (optometry)/assistant related courses. (b) Successful completion of a course for health care technicians or assistants, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training in a program given by the U.S. Armed Forces, the U.S. Maritime Service, or the U.S. Public Health Service, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis. 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, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Health Technician (Optometry), GS-04 (1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve in a health technician (optometry) entry level position. More experienced staff members guide and provide daily direct supervision for the health technicians (optometry). Health Technician (Optometry), GS-05 (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of basic eye anatomy and function. (b) Ability to obtain, document and record ophthalmic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate electronic progress note. (c) Ability to practice basic hygiene and infection control in a patient care setting. (d) Ability to follow eye clinic and patient care medical policies and procedures. (e) Ability to perform minor eyeglasses repairs, such as replacing nose pads and screws. (3) Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as developmental level 1 health technicians (optometry). It is expected they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for patient issues and require daily and direct contact with senior optometry personnel at the work site. Health Technician (Optometry), GS-06 (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to provide patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions, to include assisting with patient contact lens insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection) care. (b) Ability to accurately enter into a phoropter the autorefractometry or habitual refractive prescription (i.e., eyeglasses prescription) or lensometer findings, including sphere, cylinder and axis. (c) Ability to perform patient spectacle fitting and dispensing, including selection of appropriate frame, ophthalmic lenses, interpupillary measurements (distance and near) and proper segment height determination, as well as the ability to transpose sphere, cylinder and axis. (d)Ability to provide basic triage of patient telephone calls or optometry requests. (e)Knowledge of ophthalmic medications and supplies needed in the process of restocking the eye clinic exam rooms. (3)Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as developmental level 2health technicians (optometry). The technicians operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing basic screening procedures. The health technicians (optometry) understand basic hygiene, cleaning and disinfection of reusable medical equipment (RME) instruments and ophthalmic equipment. At this level, the technicians assist optometry staff by obtaining an accurate medical/ophthalmic history, as well as coding and entering eye testing performed on the encounter form. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or assistance. Assignments at this level involve procedures performed under supervision from senior optometry personnel. Health Technician (Optometry), GS-07 (1)Experience. One year of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. (2)Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: (a)Ability to determine preliminary objective estimate and/or refinement of the optical status of the eye, not to include the patient's final subjective refraction. (b)Ability to triage and manage eyeglasses issues (e.g., measurement of vertex distance, base curve, prism correction, center thickness, slab off, Fresnel prism, decentration, etc.). (c)Ability to perform accurate assessment of accommodation, near point of convergence and ocular alignment (far and near). (d)Ability to assist the eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with ophthalmic procedures. (e)Ability to assist with obtaining accurate ocular cultures and smears. (f)Knowledge and ability to provide advanced patient education for eyehealth and/or vision conditions. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 4 to 7. Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion, such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stopping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, boxes, equipment, and assisting patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity.

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 Sheridan VA Health Care System 1898 Fort Road Sheridan, WY 82801 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]