This position falls under Surgery Service in the Eye Clinic. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and/or Education: Experience. One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to nursing, medical assistant, or health technician; or Education. Two years above high school with a minimum of six semester hours directly related to a health care field or associate degree in a health care related degree; or Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below: (a) Six months of experience in the health care field; and one year above high school; or (b) Six months of experience in the health care field and successful completion of a course for health care technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or ophthalmology technicians given by the U.S. Armed Forces; or (c) Six months of experience in the health care field and completion of an independent study course in Ophthalmic Medical Assisting. Certification. All applicants must be certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). The COA certification is JCAHPO's entry-level certification examination for a Health Technician (Ophthalmology). English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. Physical Requirement. See Below May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-5 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve in a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) entry level position and are trainee in nature. The entry level performs limited routine assignments under daily direct supervision. Deviations from unanticipated problems and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help. Obtains and records vital signs including blood pressure, pulse, and glucose levels. Participates in performance of quality assurance activities such as staff meetings, mandatory educational in-services, quality control reports, systems redesign, and team and morale improvement. Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-6 (Developmental Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Assignment. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) at this level operates and monitors commonly used equipment performing basic screening procedures. Assists ophthalmology staff by obtaining an accurate medical and ophthalmic history, measuring and recording visual acuity, administering anesthetic eye drops, performing basic tonometry, estimating the anterior chamber depth and recording a simple spectacle reading through automated lensometry. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, complex patients and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or assistance. Some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures performed under supervision. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of general outpatient clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment; Ability to obtain, document and record demographic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate medical record; 3. Ability to use basic ophthalmic equipment; and Knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment. Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-7 (Developmental Level 2) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. Assignment. At this level, the Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs the following: triages patient phone calls or requests; ensures exam rooms are stocked with adequate supplies; instructs patients on administration of eye drops and post-operative instructions; accurately measures, compares, and evaluates pupillary responses; administers eye drops to dilate pupils; performs basic color vision screening; performs visual field testing (using Amsler grid or automated equipment). Performs basic imaging testing such as corneal topography; external photography; performs basic ocular testing such as pachymetry, tear production with test strips, glare testing, stereo acuity, contrast sensitivity, potential acuity meter, measuring spectacles using both automated and manual lensometry and transposing cylinders. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of anatomy and function of the eye and basic ocular pharmacology; Knowledge of outpatient eye care policies and procedures in a health care environment; Ability to use basic ophthalmic diagnostic equipment to perform preliminary ocular testing; Ability to perform minor extraocular surgical assisting; and Ability to provide eye care patient education. Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-8 (Full Performance Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. Assignment. This is the full performance level for this assignment. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) at this level performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures with responsibility for checking calibration of instruments prior to the procedure. Responsible for obtaining patient physical history, to include chief complaint, reason for visit; pertinent signs/symptoms; past history both ocular and general; family history both ocular and general; social history; and review of medications and allergies, including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medications. Accurately tests visual acuity at distance and near, with and without correction or with and without a pinhole. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation; Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens; Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting; Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology; Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye; Knowledge of optics; and Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment. Preferred Experience: 1 yr experience as a Certified Health Technician (Ophthalmology) References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II APPENDIX G52II-52-1, HEALTH TECHNICIAN (OPHTHALMOLOGY) QUALIFICATION STANDARD, FEBRUARY 7, 2018, GS-0640 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: The work of the health technician (eye clinic) requires considerable periods of standing and walking with occasional bending, stooping, and sitting. The incumbent will also be required to assist ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher bound patients onto and out of exam chairs and back to the original mode of transportation. Manual dexterity and very good vision is necessary for the repair of spectacles. ["The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) is a key member of the ophthalmology treatment team and is responsible for assisting the Ophthalmologist and Optometry staff /resident physicians in all aspects of patient care. These duties include, but may not be limited to: Obtains a detailed history from each patient; Reviews patient's medical record for appropriateness of follow-up appointment; Maintain supplies and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals needed in the exam room; Demonstrates familiarity with routine clinic and departmental procedures and performs general clinic duties, including filing, answering phones, scheduling of appointments and patient check-in, check-out; Performs fundus and slit lamp (external) photography; Sets up and performs external ocular photography; Performs visual field testing in the evaluation of patients with glaucoma, neurological disorders, retinal diseases and other ocular disorders; Performs auto refraction and lensometer measurements; Assists with reading patient's spectacle prescription with the lensometer; Completes lensometry testing (a) to measure and record distance and near vision with and without glasses or contact lenses, and (b) to assess color vision. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00AM to 4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Health Tech(Ophthalmolgy)/PD03698A Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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