Health Technician (Optometry)

Veterans Health Administration • Charlotte, NC

11h • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Optometry Service at the South Charlotte Healthcare Center, with duties at the Charlotte Health Care Center and rotation to the Charlotte CBOC in Charlotte, North Carolina. The incumbent performs a variety of significant patient-related duties in support of eyecare and treatment provided by the Optometry Service. The full-performance level is GS-7. The work schedule is based on service needs; a semi-compressed tour may be available. Telework and virtual work are not available.

The technician obtains and documents patients’ physical and ocular histories, follows patient-care and infection-control policies, and performs a range of vision and eye assessments. Duties include visual acuity and specialized vision testing; pupil, fusion, stereoacuity, accommodation, convergence, and ocular-alignment assessments; Amsler grid testing; basic tonometry; and estimation of anterior chamber depth. The technician also performs visual field testing and ocular imaging, fits and dispenses spectacles, handles eyeglass troubleshooting and minor repairs, maintains clinic supplies and the medication refrigerator, and provides advanced patient education on eye health and vision conditions.

The incumbent provides basic triage of patient calls and messages, administers eye drops under an eye-care provider’s supervision, and assists optometrists or ophthalmologists with procedures, including obtaining ocular cultures and smears. The technician also helps train residents and externs in clinic procedures, equipment use, and efficient, quality patient care.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet one of the basic experience or education pathways: one year of relevant health technician or assistant experience; two academic years above high school with at least 12 semester hours in related coursework or an associate degree; completion of an independent study course in an optometry-related technician or assistant field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• For the GS-7 grade, one year of experience comparable to the next lower level demonstrating knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the position, or the applicable qualifying education or experience pathway.
• Demonstrate the ability to make a preliminary objective estimate or refinement of the eye’s optical status, excluding final subjective refraction.
• Demonstrate the ability to triage and manage eyeglass issues, including measurements or adjustments involving vertex distance, base curve, prism correction, center thickness, slab off, Fresnel prism, and decentration.
• Demonstrate the ability to accurately assess accommodation, near point of convergence, and ocular alignment at distance and near.
• Demonstrate the ability to assist an optometrist or ophthalmologist with ophthalmic procedures and obtain accurate ocular cultures and smears.
• Demonstrate knowledge and ability to provide advanced education on eye health or vision conditions.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and required background/security investigation; selected applicants are also subject to pre-appointment drug testing and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Complete required onboarding and application documentation and serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Education used to qualify must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Responsibilities

• Obtain patients’ chief complaints and ocular and general medical histories, including current eye medications.
• Follow clinic and facility patient-care policies and procedures, including basic hygiene and infection control, and document pertinent information in CPRS.
• Measure and record visual acuity, including specialized measurements such as potential acuity, laser interferometry, and contrast sensitivity when needed.
• Evaluate pupillary responses and pupil size; assess fusion, stereoacuity, accommodation, near point of convergence, and ocular alignment.
• Perform Amsler grid testing, basic tonometry, and anterior chamber depth estimation.
• Perform visual field testing and ocular imaging, including stereo fundus photography and posterior segment optical coherence tomography.
• Fit and dispense spectacles, select frames and lenses, take interpupillary and segment-height measurements, and enter prescription information in CPRS.
• Triage eyeglass issues and perform minor repairs such as replacing nose pads and screws.
• Monitor and maintain eye clinic supplies and the medication refrigerator in accordance with VHA requirements.
• Provide advanced patient education about eye health and vision conditions.
• Provide basic triage of patient telephone calls, Secure Messages, and other requests from patients or HealthCare System staff.
• Administer eye drops under the supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
• Assist eye-care providers with ophthalmic procedures, including obtaining ocular cultures and smears.
• Assist in training residents and externs in clinic procedures, processes, instruments, and equipment.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Eligible selected applicants may receive credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a child-care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a 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 can be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

What This Job Offers

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