The Health Technician/Optometry position entails broad clinical and admin responsibilities within the Optometry Clinic. In the clinic, the incumbent will assist the attending optometrist in caring for the optometry patient. The incumbent will also assist in the education of patients and contribute to the education of optometric interns and residents. This will include assisting in the examination of the patient as well as assisting the eligible patient with the prosthetic appliances. 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. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Experience and Education. Experience. One year of experience as a health technician or assistant in the health care field demonstrating the applicant's ability to perform the work or by demonstrating a basic understanding of work in the health care field; ??OR Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school with a minimum of 12 semester hours related to health technician/assistant or health technician (optometry)/assistant or associate degree, or completion of an independent study course in an optometry related technician or assistant field; OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below: (a) Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge of optometry assistant theory and practices and general understanding of the health technician/assistant duties and one year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health technician/assistant or health technician (optometry)/assistant related courses. (b) Successful completion of a course for health care technicians or assistants, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training in a program given by the U.S. Armed Forces, the U.S. Maritime Service, or the U.S. Public Health Service, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis. Licensure/Certification/Registration. None. Grandfathering Provision. All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:??????? They may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Health Technicians (Optometry) who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.??????? Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Physical Requirements. Work requires some direct assistance to patients. Incumbent must be mobile to assist patients in wheelchairs and to respond to requests from the optometrists. English Language Proficiency. Health Technician (Optometry) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Health Technician (Optometry), GS-07 Experience. One year of experience comparable to the next lower (GS-6) level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to determine preliminary objective estimate and/or refinement of the optical status of the eye, not to include the patient's final subjective refraction. (b) Ability to triage and manage eyeglasses issues (e.g., measurement of vertex distance, base curve, prism correction, center thickness, slab off, Fresnel prism, decentration, etc.). (c) Ability to perform accurate assessment of accommodation, near point of convergence and ocular alignment (far and near). (d) Ability to assist the eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with ophthalmic procedures. (e) Ability to assist with obtaining accurate ocular cultures and smears. (f) Knowledge and ability to provide advanced patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions. References: VA Handbook 5005/142 Part II Appendix G68, April 9, 2021 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. ["Duties/Technical Responsibilities The Health Technician/Optometry will perform the following duties in support of the mission of the Optometry Clinic: Obtain an ophthalmic history of each patient to include his/her chief complaint and a history of their present illness. In addition, will obtain a history of the patient's past ophthalmic and medical history, past consultations, and a history of any allergies and/or present medications. Obtains visual acuity on all patients, using a Snellen acuity chart (or equivalent) with glasses (if worn) and without glasses (or contact lenses) before they are seen by the optometrist and accurately records the results on the patient worksheet. Using automated refraction equipment, obtains a working refraction for the patient and records this, along with the acuities, on the patient worksheet. Evaluates pupillary function, ocular moltility, confrontation visual fields and obtains vital signs including blood pressure readings. Analyzes glasses prescriptions to determine the optical power of the patient's present lenses for the optometrist using a manual or automated lensometer. Measures and records intraocular eye pressure using manual or automated tonometers such as the tonopen. Instills diagnostic eye drops as ordered by the optometrist. Tests and analyzes patients' visual fields using computerized threshold and non-threshold static and kinetic strategies for patients with glaucoma, neurologic disorders, retinovascular disorders and other conditions. Fits, measures, adjusts, repairs and replace spectacles for veteran beneficiaries meeting eligibility and entitlement for glasses. Measures patient's interpupillary distance for distance and near prescriptions which includes the use of a pupillary distance ruler as well as an electronic pupillometer. Dispenses eyeglasses to patients and makes the necessary adjustments to ensure proper fit. Must be familiar with various optical tools and instruments to make repairs and adjustments and must be able to use a salt pan or air heater to adjust frames. Is involved in direct patient care by assisting the optometrist with various tasks including, but not limited to: changing eye dressings, instilling eye drops such as topical mydriatics, cycloplegics and anesthetics under the supervision of the optometrist; instilling ophthalmic ointments or other medications at the direction of the optometrist; transmitting instructions from doctor to patient on home care; patient positioning and intravenous dye injection during fundus photography and fluorescein angiography. Performs minor maintenance of ophthalmic instruments and equipment such as visual acuity projectors, muscle lights, direct and indirect ophthalmoscopes, retinoscopes, lensometers, tangent screens, perimeters, slit lamps, keratometers, pupillometers, etc. Inventories equipment and supplies and follows the proper procurement procedures to maintain proper supply levels (e.g., replacement bulbs, photographic paper, etc.) needed for the Optometry Clinic. Provides other support to the Optometry Clinic by ensuring an orderly flow of patients through the Optometry Clinic including, but not limited to: knowledge and understanding of eligibility and entitlement for prosthetic appliances, scheduling of patients into different clinics within Optometry and answering patient inquiries in person and on the telephone. Incumbent must have knowledge and skill in the use of Computerized Patient Record Systems (CPRS). The incumbent is responsible for processing eyeglasses orders via CPRS to the fabrication laboratory and is responsible for maintaining administrative records for all eyeglass orders. The Health Technician assists in the training and orientation of optometric interns and residents by providing hands on instruction of various opticianry principles and techniques. Work Schedule: 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework Eligible: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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