Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

Summary

The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) operates as the technician responsible for generating important and complex diagnostic procedures to produce information to be used by the eye clinic licensed providers with whom they work.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

04/15/2024 to 05/06/2024

• Salary

$39,576 - $70,578 per year

GS-5: $39,576 - $ 51,446 /// GS-6: $44,117 - $57,354 /// GS-7: $49,025 - $ 63,7333 /// GS-8: $54,292 - $70,578

• Pay scale & grade

GS 00

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Walla Walla, WA 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

25% or less

• You may be expected to travel for this position.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

8

• Job family (Series)

0640 Health Aid And Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSV-12387641-24-MLY

• Control number

786789000

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This job is open to

• Federal employees

• Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Federal employees

• Excepted service

Current excepted service federal employees.

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

The area of consideration will be referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent Facility employees 2. Current permanent Agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) employees 3. Current permanent employees of other Federal agencies Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference does not apply to promotions, reassignments, a change to lower grade, or transfer for internal announcements.

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Duties

Duties will vary based on grade. At the GS-8 full performance level of this assignment, the incumbent performs complex diagnostic procedures with responsibility for calibrating and cleaning instruments prior to procedure. Duties will include:

• Obtaining patient history with chief complaint, reason for visit, pertinent sign/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 nonprescription medications.

• Accurately tests visual acuity at distance and near, with and without correction or with and without a pinhole.

• Measures eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism in both plus and minus cylinder.

• Performs pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and any abnormalities, including relative afferent pupillary defect.

• Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter if requested. Instills eye medications (i.e., drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilation, cycloplegic, or antibiotics).

• Responsible for measuring intraocular pressure of the eye utilizing techniques, including Goldmann applanation tonometry.

• Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvature.

• Performs automated visual field testing using various perimetry machines.

• Performance of external photographs and fundus photography.

• Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve.

• Performs patient screening and triage emergencies identifying ocular emergencies.

• Performs patient screening and telephone triage for immediate care.

• Assists during clinic-based ophthalmic procedures, including biopsies of the eyelid lesions, cultures of conjunctiva, or cornea; angiography, and others as required.

• Educates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care, including preoperative and postoperative instructions.

• Assists in the education and training of optometry students and residents.

• Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection; calibration, maintenance, backup, annual inventory and ordering of instruments, supplies and equipment; obtains quotes as needed; and reports needed repairs to biomedical engineering.

• Performs optical functions including functioning as an optician either with independent licensure or under the supervision of the optometric physicians, including spectacle fitting, ordering, adjustment, repair; able to transpose prescriptions from plus to minus cylinder, triage optical/spectacle complaints, measure for properly fitting frames for monovision, bifocal, trifocal, and progressive addition lenses and coordinates with prosthetics and fabrication laboratory for orders and corrections as needed.

• Maintains effective control of the optometry work area by assisting to coordinate and organize the workflow to expedite care delivery.

• Assists in creating, implementing, and preparing written and oral reports for the completion of continuous or problem focused Process Improvement and Quality Assurance processes.

• Keeps current in new techniques and technological advances as employed by the eye clinic

• Consults with bio-med and maintenance personnel within the VA to report daily equipment problems, notifies supervisor of issues. Anticipates needs for supplies and equipment and notifies supervisor.

• Assists in training and in-service programs to aid in the instruction of nurses and physicians on procedures, operation and/or maintenance of new and existing medical equipment.

• Assists with establishing written procedures and protocol for use with new medical equipment.

• Reports complaints and requests from patients, physicians and other personnel concerning activities of the Optometry department such as: appointment schedules, examinations, policies and procedures.

• Maintains adequate supplies and pharmaceuticals used in the department. Responsible to report equipment malfunctions for repair to biomed and or to their immediate supervisor.

• Assists scheduler in scheduling patients for exams at the VAMC to provide prompt medical care.

Work Schedule: Monday

• Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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 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's degree in a health care related degree. OR

• Experience/Education: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below:

• Six months of experience in the health care field; and one year above high school; or

• 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

• 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).

• Exception: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements may be appointed as a graduate Health Technician (Ophthalmology) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) that provides care under the supervision of an Ophthalmologist. The exception only applies below the full performance level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level the candidate must be certified. Failure to obtain COA certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment and may result in termination of employment.

• 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): None beyond the basic requirements.

• Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-6 (Developmental Level 1):

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.

• 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;

• 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.

• 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.

• 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: VA experience

References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G52, Qualifications for Health Technicians (Ophthalmology)

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: light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking and standing (1 hr), near vision correctable, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted).

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.