Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

Veterans Health Administration • Mather AFB, CA

6h • Onsite

About The Position

The entry-level Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs limited, routine assignments under daily direct supervision. Unanticipated deviations and unfamiliar situations are referred to a supervisor for a decision or assistance. The technician obtains and records vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, and glucose levels, and develops ophthalmology technician skills by shadowing journey-level technicians and practicing competencies.

The role supports clinic operations by scheduling patient appointments, testing, procedures, and consults; completing paperwork and computer entries; ordering supplies; and ensuring the availability, cleanliness, disinfection, calibration, maintenance, and backup of clinic medications, supplies, instruments, and equipment. Needed repairs are reported to Biomedical Engineering. The technician greets and checks in patients, handles telephone calls and messages, and communicates information to appropriate personnel. The position participates in quality assurance activities and completes mandated VA training while maintaining active BLS certification.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or as determined by the supervisor based on service needs. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The full performance level is GS-8; selection may be made at GS-5 through GS-8.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• An active Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) certification from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO).
• Meet the basic experience or education requirement through one of the following: one year of experience in a healthcare field; two years of education above high school with at least six semester hours directly related to a healthcare field or an associate degree in a healthcare-related field; or a qualifying combination of healthcare experience and education or training.
• For GS-6, one year of experience equivalent to GS-5 and demonstrated knowledge of general outpatient clinical policies and procedures, ability to obtain and record patient demographic and medical information, ability to use basic ophthalmic equipment, and knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment.
• For GS-7, one year of experience equivalent to GS-6 and demonstrated knowledge of eye anatomy and function, basic ocular pharmacology, and outpatient eye care policies and procedures; ability to use basic ophthalmic diagnostic equipment for preliminary ocular testing, perform minor extraocular surgical assisting, and provide eye-care patient education.
• For GS-8, one year of experience equivalent to GS-7 and demonstrated ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation and calculate intraocular lens selection; knowledge of clinic-based ophthalmic surgical assisting, eye anatomy and physiology, medication effects and proper eye instillation, optics, and proper clinic-equipment cleaning and maintenance.
• Complete all required application steps, including the online assessment.
• Selected applicants are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment and a background/security investigation.
• Complete required online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Register for Selective Service if male and born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a two-year trial period.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements, including intermittently lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 45 pounds; occasionally stooping, squatting, and kneeling; intermittent overhead work; prolonged walking and standing up to four hours per day; and sitting up to two hours per day.

Responsibilities

• Obtain and record vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, and glucose levels.
• Participate in quality assurance activities, including staff meetings, mandatory educational in-services, quality control reports, systems redesign, and team and morale improvement.
• Shadow journey-level Ophthalmology technicians and practice and develop Ophthalmology technician skills and competencies.
• Complete VA-mandated training in a timely manner.
• Maintain an active BLS certification.
• Schedule patient appointments, testing, procedures, and consults.
• Complete paperwork and computer entries in a timely manner.
• Complete paperwork to order supplies.
• Ensure medications, supplies, and equipment are available in the clinic area.
• Clean, disinfect, calibrate, maintain, and back up instruments, supplies, and equipment; order items as needed and report needed repairs to Biomedical Engineering.
• Greet and check in patients; handle telephone calls and messages pleasantly and efficiently; and communicate information appropriately to the relevant personnel.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed