Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

Veterans Health Administration • Garner, NC

7d • Onsite

About The Position

This full-performance Health Technician (Ophthalmology) position is located at the VA Clinic in Garner, North Carolina. Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration support Ophthalmologists with diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care, and patient counseling. The technician performs a range of standard but complex diagnostic procedures, assists with clinic-based surgical procedures, and educates patients and their legally authorized representatives.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling, telework, and virtual work are not available. The position requires a 1- or 2-year trial period. It is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizen appointments when qualified candidates cannot be recruited under applicable rules.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Certification as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) through the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO).
• Meet one of the basic experience and education pathways: one year of experience in a health care field; two years of education above high school with at least six semester hours directly related to a health care field or an associate degree in a health care-related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education described in the posting.
• For the GS-8 full-performance level, one year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 level.
• Demonstrate ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation and calculate intraocular lens selection.
• Demonstrate knowledge of clinic-based ophthalmic surgical assisting, eye anatomy and physiology, medication effects and proper eye instillation, optics, and proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment.
• Complete all required application steps, including an online assessment.
• Pass applicable pre-employment screening, including a physical examination and, for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and Employee Health mandates, including seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Meet the physical requirements of the position, including visual acuity, adequate auditory perception, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.
• Serve a 1- or 2-year trial period if appointed.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Healthcare experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Check and calibrate ophthalmology screening instruments.
• Obtain patient physical and ocular history, including chief complaint, reason for visit, signs and symptoms, medications and allergies, medical and family history, and social history.
• Test distance and near visual acuity with and without correction or pinhole.
• Measure and record eyeglass prescriptions using a manual or automated lensometer.
• Evaluate pupils and perform the swinging flashlight test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect.
• Perform basic refractometry using an autorefractor or habitual glasses prescription in a phoropter.
• Instill ophthalmic medications, including anesthetic, dye, dilating, cycloplegic, and antibiotic drops or ointments.
• Measure intraocular pressure, including with Goldmann applanation tonometry.
• Perform pachymetry, manual keratometry, or automated topography.
• Perform intraocular lens calculations using an IOL Master or equivalent device.
• Perform automated visual field testing using perimetry machines.
• Perform external photography and fundus photography.
• Perform 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 revisions, eyelid lesion biopsies, conjunctival or corneal cultures, anterior chamber reformation, hyphema evacuation, corneal endothelial graft repositioning, intravitreal injections, and laser surgery.
• Educate patients and legally authorized representatives about eye care and preoperative and postoperative instructions.
• Assist in educating and training medical students, residents, and fellows at facilities with medical school affiliations.
• Perform other assigned duties.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available to eligible employees and their families; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree