Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

Veterans Health Administration • Columbus, OH

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) in the Veterans Health Administration support ophthalmologists and optometrists in diagnosing, treating, preventing, and following up on eye conditions, as well as counseling patients. They conduct screenings and diagnostic testing, obtain patient histories, assess visual acuity and pupil responses, evaluate lens prescriptions, and perform refractometry. The position also includes patient triage, assistance with clinic-based ophthalmic procedures, patient education, and upkeep of clinical equipment and supplies.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The full performance level is GS-8; the announcement describes selection across GS-5 to GS-8. Telework and virtual work are not available, and relocation assistance is not authorized. The role requires a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) credential, subject to the stated exception for eligible appointments below the full performance level. Applicants must meet the applicable experience or education requirements and be proficient in written and spoken English.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified candidates cannot be recruited under the applicable authority.
• One year of experience in a health care field; or two years above high school with at least six semester hours 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 eligible non-certified applicants may be appointed as graduate Health Technicians below the full performance level under the stated time-limited waiver.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Ability to meet applicable grade-level experience requirements: 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.
• Ability to assist patients with standing, sitting, and walking; to stand, walk, and sit for prolonged periods; and to lift objects weighing 25 pounds or more.
• Adequate visual acuity, with corrective lenses if needed, to identify, observe, and measure ophthalmic findings.
• Meet pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, physical examination, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Meet application and onboarding documentation requirements, including applicable license or certification verification and required eligibility documentation.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience performing patient work-ups, diagnostic testing, and assisting with in-office procedures.
• Experience using electronic medical records.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, commitment to patient care, and attention to detail.
• Experience in a fast-paced ophthalmology or eye care setting.

Responsibilities

• Check and calibrate ophthalmology screening instruments.
• Obtain and document patient histories, including 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 manual or automated lensometry and record sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism.
• Evaluate pupils, including size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and relative afferent pupillary defect.
• Perform basic refractometry using an autorefractor or habitual glasses in a phoropter.
• Administer eye medications, including anesthetic, dye, dilating, cycloplegic, and antibiotic drops or ointments.
• Measure intraocular pressure, including with Goldmann applanation tonometry.
• Perform pachymetry, keratometry, and automated corneal topography.
• Perform intraocular lens calculations using an IOL Master or equivalent device.
• Conduct automated visual field testing and external and fundus photography.
• Perform optical coherence tomography of the anterior segment, retina, and optic nerve.
• Screen and triage patients, including identifying urgent ocular conditions and responding to telephone triage requests.
• 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 their legally authorized representatives about eye care and preoperative and postoperative instructions.
• Clean, disinfect, calibrate, maintain, and inventory instruments, supplies, and equipment; order supplies, obtain quotes, and report needed repairs to biomedical engineering.
• At applicable grade levels, ensure exam rooms are stocked, instruct patients on eye-drop administration, and assist with sterile technique and infection control.
• Assist in educating and training medical students, residents, and fellows.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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