Health Technician (Ophthalmology)-Intermittent

Veterans Health Administration • Vancouver, WA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration provide technical clinical care to patients receiving ophthalmology services for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care, and counseling. This intermittent position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with hours varying, and is not to exceed one year. The position is not eligible for telework or relocation assistance, and recruitment or relocation incentives are not authorized. The full performance level is GS-8; applicants may be selected at GS-5 through GS-8.

The technician performs ophthalmic screenings and diagnostic tests, obtains and records patient histories and clinical findings, administers eye medications, educates patients and authorized representatives, and assists with clinic-based ophthalmic procedures. Work may include advanced testing and specialized equipment, depending on grade and assigned duties. The technician also checks and calibrates screening instruments and follows sterile technique and infection-control procedures.

Applicants must meet the stated experience, education, or qualifying combination requirements and hold Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) certification, except that certain non-certified applicants may be appointed as graduate Health Technicians under the described time-limited exception. Spoken and written English proficiency is required. The position requires U.S. citizenship, a background/security investigation, pre-employment drug screening for selected applicants in testing-designated positions, and a pre-employment physical evaluation. Seasonal influenza vaccination is required for VA health care personnel. Selected applicants must complete onboarding and serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• One year of experience in a health care field, or two years of education above high school including at least six semester hours directly related to health care or a health care-related associate degree, or a qualifying combination of experience and education.
• Certification as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) through the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO), subject to the stated exception for qualifying non-certified graduate Health Technicians appointed below the full performance level.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Meet grade-specific experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities requirements for the selected grade. GS-6 requires one year equivalent to GS-5; GS-7 requires one year equivalent to GS-6; GS-8 requires one year equivalent to GS-7.
• Selected applicants must pass applicable pre-employment requirements, including a physical evaluation and background/security investigation; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to urinalysis.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of experience in an ophthalmology or optometry clinical setting.
• COA certification is preferred, although the posting also lists it as a basic requirement subject to an exception.

Responsibilities

• Measure and record visual acuity at distance and near, with and without correction or pinhole.
• Administer eye drops and ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilating, cycloplegic, or antibiotic medications; instruct patients on their use and provide preoperative and postoperative guidance.
• Perform tonometry, estimate anterior chamber depth, measure corneal thickness and curvature, and conduct other basic and advanced ocular tests.
• Record spectacle readings using automated and manual lensometry; measure eyeglass prescriptions, transpose cylinders, and order, dispense, and troubleshoot spectacles.
• Evaluate pupils, including size, shape, symmetry, response to light and accommodation, and swinging flashlight testing for relative afferent pupillary defects.
• Perform color vision screening, visual field testing, refractometry, retinoscopy, and other preliminary ocular testing.
• Perform ophthalmic imaging and diagnostic procedures, including corneal topography, external and fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, intraocular lens calculations, and A-scan ultrasonography or equivalent testing.
• Obtain and document patient histories, chief complaints, symptoms, medications, allergies, and relevant ocular, medical, family, and social history.
• Screen and triage patients with potentially urgent ocular conditions.
• Assist ophthalmologists with minor and clinic-based ophthalmic surgical procedures, applying sterile technique and infection-control procedures.
• Check and calibrate ophthalmology screening instruments and clean and maintain clinic equipment.
• Educate patients and legally authorized representatives about eye care and perioperative instructions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• A higher step rate within the appropriate grade may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• Federal employee benefits are available, with eligibility depending on position type; the specific benefits for this intermittent position should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Selected applicants may request consideration for annual-leave accrual credit based on prior federal or military service; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree