Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

Veterans Health Administration • Fort Dodge, IA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration support ophthalmologists in diagnosing, treating, preventing, and following up on eye conditions, and in counseling patients. The position supports the VA Midwest Health Care Network’s Whole Health System, which aims to empower Veterans to manage their health and well-being through personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connections to their communities.

The technician performs ophthalmic screening and diagnostic testing, assists with clinic-based ophthalmic surgery, triages potentially urgent ocular conditions, and educates patients and their authorized representatives about eye care and preoperative and postoperative instructions. The role also includes supporting the education of medical students, residents, and fellows; maintaining and ordering equipment and supplies; and supporting telehealth optometry and retinal imaging services. The technician may float to other Community Based Outpatient Clinics for patient-care coverage and program expansion. When no contracted optical shop is available onsite, the technician may help patients select frames, take measurements, and enter eyeglass orders as directed or delegated by the prescribing eye provider.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. The full performance level is GS-8; selection may be at GS-5 through GS-8.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizen appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• One year of experience in a health care field; or two years of education above high school with at least six semester hours directly related to health care or an associate degree in a health care-related field; 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), except that qualifying non-certified applicants may be appointed as graduate Health Technicians below the full performance level under the stated waiver provisions.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-6, one year of experience equivalent to GS-5 and demonstrated knowledge of outpatient clinical policies, ability to obtain and record patient 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 procedures; ability to use basic ophthalmic diagnostic equipment, assist with minor extraocular surgery, and provide patient education.
• For GS-8, one year of experience equivalent to GS-7 and demonstrated ability in advanced tonometry, pupil evaluation, and intraocular lens calculations, plus knowledge of ophthalmic surgical assisting, eye anatomy and physiology, medication effects and instillation, optics, and equipment cleaning and maintenance.
• Applicants may be subject to drug screening, background and security investigation, onboarding requirements, seasonal influenza vaccination, and a pre-employment physical examination or evaluation.
• Selected employees must serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification to continue employment after that period.

Nice To Haves

• Previous clinical ophthalmology experience.

Responsibilities

• Check and calibrate technical ophthalmology screening instruments.
• Obtain and document detailed patient histories, including presenting concerns, symptoms, medical and ocular history, family and social history, medications, and allergies.
• Test distance and near visual acuity, with and without correction or pinhole.
• Measure eyeglass prescriptions using a manual or automated lensometer and record sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism.
• Evaluate pupils, including size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and perform the swinging flashlight test for relative afferent pupillary defect.
• Perform basic refractometry using an autorefractor or habitual prescription in a phoropter or trial frame.
• Instill eye medications according to protocol or under the direction of an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
• Measure intraocular pressure using standard techniques and equipment, including Goldmann applanation tonometry, tonopen, or rebound tonometry.
• Perform corneal pachymetry, keratometry or automated topography, and intraocular lens calculations.
• Perform automated visual field testing, external photography, fundus photography, and optical coherence tomography of the anterior segment, retina, and optic nerve.
• Screen and triage potentially urgent ocular conditions.
• Assist with clinic-based ophthalmic surgery and procedures, including wound revision, biopsies, cultures, anterior chamber reformation, hyphema evacuation, graft repositioning, intravitreal injections, and laser procedures.
• Educate patients and legally authorized representatives about eye care and preoperative and postoperative instructions.
• Assist with education and training of medical students, residents, and fellows at affiliated facilities.
• Clean, disinfect, calibrate, maintain, inventory, and order instruments, supplies, and equipment; obtain quotes as needed and report repairs to biomedical engineering.
• Support telehealth optometry and Store and Forward services, including Virtual Eye Care Services and onsite or offsite tele-retinal imaging.
• Float to other Community Based Outpatient Clinics as appropriate for patient-care coverage and telehealth program expansion.
• When needed, help patients select eyeglass frames, measure pupillary distance and segment height, and enter eyeglass orders as directed or delegated by the prescribing eye provider.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits and eligibility depend on the position and individual circumstances.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal service or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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