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Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. At the Advanced Level, Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs difficult ophthalmic technical duties with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. The incumbent will process photo images for patients undergoing diagnostic tests and/or treatment procedures. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Experience and Education (1) Experience. One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to nursing, medical assistant, or health technician.OR(2) 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(3) 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). CRA (Certified Retinal Angiographer) certification preferred. Creditable Experience(1) Knowledge of Current Health Technician (Ophthalmology) Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with a health care field or knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the current occupation. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non-paid employment in the health care field. (2) Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to Health Technician (Ophthalmology) experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. (3) Part-time Experience. Part time experience as a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) is creditable according to its relationship to the full time work week. For example, a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) employed 20 hours per week, or on a ½ time basis, would receive one full-time work week credit for each two weeks of service. Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-9 (Advance Level)Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-8 grade level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1.Knowledge of advanced clinical optics, advanced ocular motility, advanced diagnostic testing, and microbiology testing 2.Knowledge of ophthalmic surgical instruments. 3. Knowledge of appropriate preparatory cleaning of reusable medical equipment 4.Ability to assist in ophthalmic surgical procedures performed in the main operation room. 5.Knowledge and skill in the use of imaging instruments such as : Fundus camera, slit lamp camera, Pentacam , Heidelberg Spectralis, Cirrus OCT, IOL Master, Quantel ultrasound, Confoscan. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/98 FEBRUARY 7, 2018 PART II APPENDIX G52The full performance level of this vacancy is G-9. Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment or assisting patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. ["Major duties: 1.Refractometry utilizing retinoscopy to determine spectacle prescription; 2. Kinetic visual field testing (Goldmann); 3. Intraocular pressure measurements by applanation tonometry and other current methods; 4.Pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and any abnormalities, including relative afferent pupillary defect; 5. Basic slit lamp biomicroscopy evaluation to check for abnormalities prior to dilation (i.e.: anterior chamber depth/iris anomalies). 6.May perform advanced color vision testing of the entire visual spectrum to detect complex color vision defects such as monochromats, dichromats and anomalous trichromats. 7. Measures eyeglass prescriptions using manual lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis and prism in both plus and minus cylinder. 8. Performs A-scan ultrasonography, including intra-ocular lens calculations, using immersion A-scan on eyes with complex pathology such as corneal scarring, irregular and/or high astigmatism, zonular weakness, high refractive error that requires multiple alternative calculating formulas. 9. Performs B-scan ultrasonography to identify intraocular masses or abnormalities. 10.Determines the corneal curvature by either manual keratometry or automated topography. 11. Performs fluorescein or indocyanine green (ICG) angiography, with diagnostic photography of retinal vessels. 12. Performs slit lamp photography. 13. May perform anterior segment OCT, confocal microscopy, electroretinography, electrooculography, and visual evoked potential. 14.Assists in minor clinical surgical procedures, including laser surgery and intravitreal injections. 15.May assist as scrub technician in main OR surgical procedures, set up of sterile fields, operation and maintenance of phacoemulsification and vitrectomy units, cryosurgery, endolaser units, all of which require a thorough understanding of complex instrumentation and the ability to troubleshoot problems quickly and efficiently during surgical procedures and care of instruments. 16.Assists with the microbiology testing of patients with sight-threatening ocular infections, preparing instrumentation and media for intraocular biopsy and/or culture. 17.Performs thorough preparatory cleaning of critical reusable medical equipment used in surgical procedures. 18.Responsible for training other health technicians (ophthalmology). 19.Will respond to the needs of the staff ophthalmologists, the supervisory technician or other designated administrative supervisor who will maintain daily supervision and guidance. Independent work is an integral part of the position. The technician plans and carries out examinations in line with training and accepted practices, and independently makes recommendations about clinical situations, procedures or changes to procedures in some situations. The advanced ophthalmology technician is ultimately responsible to the Supervisory Ophthalmology Technician (if present), the Ophthalmology Program Coordinator (if present) and the Chief of Ophthalmology. Contacts patients to assist with the coordination of procedures 20. The incumbent will process photo images for patients undergoing diagnostic tests and/or treatment procedures. 21.Meets the needs of customers while supporting the Medical Center, Service and national VA priorities. 22.Incumbent will adhere to all facility required computer security policies and procedures. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) at the advanced level performs difficult ophthalmic technical duties with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. In addition to the duties expected of the GS-8 level, the following clinical duties and responsibilities are expected at the GS-9 Advanced Technician assignment Work Schedule:7:30 am-4:00 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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