Health Tech(Ophthalmolgy)

Full Job Description

Ophthalmology Technician in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care.

The Atlanta VA Medical Center is recruiting for Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) GS-6/7/8.

Certification: All applicants must be certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO).

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 GS-8.

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.

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).

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 Combination: 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).

Preferred Experience: Ophthalmology must have current Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) through JCAHPO Grade Determinations: Years of Experience, Experience level and Certification will determine grade level.

Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-6 (Developmental Level 1) (a)Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.(b)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.

Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-7 (Developmental Level 2)(a)Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level.(b)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.

The employee assists the ophthalmologist during minor ophthalmic surgical procedures and is adept at applying sterile technique and infection control procedures.

Performs autorefractor to determine spectacle prescription.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: For the 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; 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.

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

Instills eye medications (i.e., drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilation, cycloplegic, or antibiotics. Performs patient screening and triage emergencies identifying ocular emergencies.

Assists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery, including revision of wounds, biopsies of the eyelid lesions, cultures of conjunctiva, or cornea; reformation of anterior chamber, evacuation of hyphema, repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts, intra-vitreous injections, and laser surgical procedures.

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

Assists in the education and training of medical students, residents, and fellows in those facilities with medical school affiliations.

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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 1.

Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation; 2. Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens; 3. Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting; 4.

Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology; 5. Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye; 6. Knowledge of optics; and 7.

Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/98 Appendix G52 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-6/7/8. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-08. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion.

It may involve frequent bending, reaching and stretching to set up and take apart equipment, assisting and positioning patients. Duties require above average dexterity.

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 38 U.S.C.

7407(d). Major Duties:

Non-certified applicants will not meet qualification requirements appointed At GS-8 Health Technician (Ophthalmology).

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

Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-7 (Developmental Level 2) 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.

GS-8 (Full Performance Level) Health Technician (Ophthalmology) full performance level for this assignment.

The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) at this level performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures.

Clinical Responsibilities: In addition to the duties expected of the GS-7 level, the following clinical duties and responsibilities are expected at the GS-8 assignment.

Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments.

Obtains patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs and symptoms; current medication allergies; past ocular and general medical 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 medication.

Accurately tests visual acuity at a 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. Performs swinging flashlight test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect.

Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter.

Instills eye medications (drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilating drops, cycloplegic drops, or antibiotics).

Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques, including Goldmann applanation tonometry.

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

Performs intra-ocular lens calculations using an IOL Master or equivalent device. Performs automated visual field testing using various perimetry machines.

Performs external photographs and fundus photography. Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve.

Performs patient screening and triage of potentially urgent ocular conditions.

Assists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery, including revision of wounds, biopsies of the eyelid lesions, cultures of conjunctiva, or cornea; reformation of anterior chamber, evacuation of hyphema, repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts, intra-vitreous injections, and laser surgical procedures.

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

Assists in the education and training of medical students, residents and fellows in those facilities with medical school affiliations.

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.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: No Virtual: No Functional Statement #: 58424F/58420F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: No EDRP Authorized: No