Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

Veterans Health Administration•Salem, VA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Salem Veterans Affairs Health Care System is seeking two Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) for the Department of Surgery at the Salem VA Medical Center in Salem, Virginia. The role requires knowledge of the visual system, optics, ophthalmic pharmacology, ocular physiology, and microbiology. The full performance level is GS-8. The technician supports ophthalmology care through patient intake and diagnostic testing, including visual acuity, intraocular pressure, lensometry, refraction, keratometry, ultrasonography, and photography. The role also includes fitting and adjusting spectacles, preparing and maintaining clinic supplies and instruments, assisting with minor ophthalmic surgery, maintaining records, and scheduling post-surgical cases. This is a full-time, onsite position with a Monday–Friday schedule of either 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. or 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Telework is not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
One year of experience in a health care field; or two years of education above high school with at least six semester hours related to health care or an associate degree in a health care-related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
Applicants qualifying through education must submit transcripts; qualifying education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Current Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) certification from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO), except where the stated grandfathering provision applies to eligible current VHA employees.
For GS-8, one year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 level.
Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation.
Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lenses.
Knowledge of clinic-based ophthalmic surgical assisting.
Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology, medication effects and proper eye medication instillation, optics, and proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment.
Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
Must complete background and security investigation, onboarding, application steps, and required online assessment.
Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
Physical requirements include occasional lifting, prolonged standing and sitting, frequent bending, walking, climbing, overhead and repetitive reaching, repetitive motion, and stooping.
Mental and sensory requirements include recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing, clear speech, legible writing, reading, and logical thinking.

Nice To Haves

In-depth knowledge of the functions of the visual system, optics, and basic ophthalmic pharmacology.
Exceptional knowledge of ocular physiology and microbiology.
Clinical judgment to recognize ocular emergencies and ophthalmic complications and appropriately triage patients.

Responsibilities

Obtain brief patient histories, including medications, allergies, and interim patient status.
Assess visual acuity at distance and near, with and without correction.
Measure intraocular pressure using air, Goldmann, handheld, and pneumotonometers.
Neutralize single-vision and multifocal lenses; measure pupillary distance; determine appropriate nasal bridge, bifocal, and frame sizes; and adjust frames before dispensing spectacles.
Maintain clinic cupboards, supplies, countertops, and minor-surgery lines; order supplies by computer.
Clean, prepare, package, and store instruments for sterilization, including applying special handling and tip covers to small instruments.
Determine refractive error using an autorefractor.
Set up and operate diagnostic B-scan equipment, camera attachments, and patient positioning; mount and label images and log procedures.
Operate and maintain equipment for axial-length ultrasonography, including calibration and probe setup, and use A- and B-scan instruments.
Operate keratometers to measure corneal curvature for intraocular lens calculations before cataract surgery.
Use and care for Eye Clinic cameras and order necessary film and supplies.
Use sterile technique and assist with minor ophthalmic procedures, including patient consent and site preparation.
Maintain pathology, attending, and incident logbooks.
Schedule and enter post-surgical cases in the computer.
Perform standard and complex ophthalmic diagnostic procedures and check instrument calibration before procedures.
Obtain detailed ocular and general health histories, including symptoms, family and social history, medications, and allergies.
Evaluate pupils and perform refractometry, tonometry, pachymetry, keratometry or topography, intraocular lens calculations, automated visual field tests, fundus and external photography, and optical coherence tomography.
Instill ophthalmic medications, including anesthetic, dye, dilation, cycloplegic, and antibiotic drops or ointments.
Screen and triage patients, recognize ocular emergencies, and conduct telephone triage for immediate care.
Assist with clinic-based ophthalmic surgery and laser procedures.
Educate patients and legally authorized representatives about eye care and preoperative and postoperative instructions.
Assist in educating and training medical students, residents, and fellows where applicable.
Clean, disinfect, calibrate, maintain, inventory, and order instruments, supplies, and equipment; obtain quotes and report needed repairs to biomedical engineering.