HEALTH TECHNICIAN (OPHTHALMOLOGY)

Department of Veterans Affairs•Syracuse, NY

55d•Onsite

About The Position

The Syracuse VAMC is currently recruiting for 1 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) in the eye clinic. Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Assisting the ophthalmologist/optometrists in performance of his/her duties by accomplishing tasks of a technical nature that can include eye examinations, visual acuity, measurement of intraocular pressure, neutralization of glasses, and manifest refraction. Perform specific examination procedures at the request of the provider and will independently carry out these requests, to include automated visual field testing, OCT testing, periocular and intraocular photography, retinal angiography, Ascan and Bscan measurements, and Keratometry measurements. He/she secures patients confidence, and cooperation during procedures, interviews and collects medical and other relevant patient information, answers patient's questions during procedures, and positions patients for desired results and adjusts patient's position to accommodate their medical condition. Obtains and records vital signs including blood pressure, pulse, and glucose levels. Participates in performance of quality assurance activities such as staff meetings, mandatory educational in-services, quality control reports, systems redesign, and team and morale improvement. Responsible for the maintenance and general care of all optical and mechanical equipment utilized in the clinic. Determines technical factors, sets controls and operates equipment and instruments routinely. Sets up and adjusts specialized equipment with multiple features. This involves the periodic cleaning of optical lenses used for refraction and optical components not related to warranties or service contracts. The incumbent makes precise adjustments to clarify reading and measurements. Stocking of spare supplies to supplement expanded material will be maintained and ordered by the incumbent. Clinical and diagnostic photography to record or determine ocular pathology or the lack there of. Perform macrophotography, utilizing complex photography systems and diversified illumination sources to include slit lamp photography. 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 Performs basic 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 is adept at applying sterile technique and infection control procedures. Performs autorefractor to determine spectacle prescription. Provide necessary surgical instrumentation for various ophthalmic procedures. Care of this instrumentation will be the responsibility of the incumbent. The technician will ensure that the Eye Clinic is supplied and equipped to accomplish scheduled procedures.. Utilize computer based electronic medical record as well as email communication and correspondence. Responsible for handling of materials, filing, and retrieval of clinical photographic records. Technician will perform all other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

Assisting the ophthalmologist/optometrists in performance of his/her duties by accomplishing tasks of a technical nature that can include eye examinations, visual acuity, measurement of intraocular pressure, neutralization of glasses, and manifest refraction.
Perform specific examination procedures at the request of the provider and will independently carry out these requests, to include automated visual field testing, OCT testing, periocular and intraocular photography, retinal angiography, Ascan and Bscan measurements, and Keratometry measurements.
Secures patients confidence, and cooperation during procedures, interviews and collects medical and other relevant patient information, answers patient's questions during procedures, and positions patients for desired results and adjusts patient's position to accommodate their medical condition.
Obtains and records vital signs including blood pressure, pulse, and glucose levels.
Participates in performance of quality assurance activities such as staff meetings, mandatory educational in-services, quality control reports, systems redesign, and team and morale improvement.
Responsible for the maintenance and general care of all optical and mechanical equipment utilized in the clinic.
Determines technical factors, sets controls and operates equipment and instruments routinely.
Sets up and adjusts specialized equipment with multiple features. This involves the periodic cleaning of optical lenses used for refraction and optical components not related to warranties or service contracts.
The incumbent makes precise adjustments to clarify reading and measurements.
Stocking of spare supplies to supplement expanded material will be maintained and ordered by the incumbent.
Clinical and diagnostic photography to record or determine ocular pathology or the lack there of.
Perform macrophotography, utilizing complex photography systems and diversified illumination sources to include slit lamp photography.
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
Performs basic 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 is adept at applying sterile technique and infection control procedures.
Performs autorefractor to determine spectacle prescription.
Provide necessary surgical instrumentation for various ophthalmic procedures. Care of this instrumentation will be the responsibility of the incumbent.
The technician will ensure that the Eye Clinic is supplied and equipped to accomplish scheduled procedures..
Utilize computer based electronic medical record as well as email communication and correspondence.
Responsible for handling of materials, filing, and retrieval of clinical photographic records.
Technician will perform all other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive salary and regular salary increases
37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

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