Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. At the GS-9 advanced level, the Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs difficult ophthalmic technical duties with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. The higher-level duties consist of significant scope, admin independence, difficulty, and range of variety. 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 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 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). 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). For grade levels at or above the full performance level the candidate must be certified. Failure to obtain COA certification may result in termination of employment. Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, the Health Technician (Ophthalmology) must actively pursue meeting certification requirements. Failure to become certified within two years from date of appointment will result in termination of employment. Loss of Credentials. Failure to maintain credentials may also result in termination of employment. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification requirements. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Such emplyees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Health Technicians (Ophthalmlogy) who were 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. (3) Emplyees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of the qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) Health Technicians (Ophthalmlogy) 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 reentry 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. If selected, you will be required to pass a pre-employment physical exam. 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). GRADE REQUIREMENTS: 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. (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. (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 ? 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. Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-9 (Advanced Level) (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-8 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). 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; and 4. Ability to assist in ophthalmic surgical procedures performed in the main operation room. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/98 PART II APPENDIX G52, February 7, 2018 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements. If selected, you will be required to pass a pre-employment physical exam. ["The higher-level duties consist of significant scope, admin independence, difficulty, and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The following KSAs are expected at the GS-9 Advanced Technician assignment. Knowledge of advanced clinical optics, advanced ocular motility, advanced diagnostic testing, and microbiology testing. Knowledge of ophthalmic surgical instruments. Knowledge of appropriate preparatory cleaning of reusable medical equipment. Ability to assist in ophthalmic surgical procedures performed in the main operating room. Ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities of a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) to effectively complete job duties of assignment such as distributing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, monitoring accuracy of work, etc. Ability to communicate effectively in order to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting date to various organizational levels. Ability to develop policy, manage equipment requests and provide workload analysis in Ophthalmology Service. Demonstrate leadership and managerial skills including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal with employees, team members, mangers, and other departments. Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data and make recommendations to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity with service. Clinical Responsibilities (75% of time) The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) 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: Refractometry utilizing retinoscopy to determine spectacle prescription. Kinetic visual field testing (Goldmann) Intraocular pressure measurements by applanation tonometry and other current methods. Pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and any abnormalities, including relative afferent pupillary defect. Basic slit lamp biomicroscope evaluation to check for abnormalities prior to dilation (i.e.: anterior chamber depth/iris anomalies) May perform advanced color vision testing of the entire visual spectrum to detect complex color vision defects such as monochromats, dichromats and anomalous trichromats. Measures eyeglass prescriptions using manual lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis and prism in both plus and minus cylinder 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 retractive error that requires multiple alternative calculating formulas. Performs B-scan ultrasonography to identify intraocular masses or abnormalities. Determines the corneal curvature by either manual keratometry or automated topography Performs fluorescein or indocyanine green (ICG) angiography, with diagnostic photography of retinal vessels. Performs slit lamp photography May perform anterior segment OCT, confocal microscopy, electroretinography, electrooculography, and visual evoked potential. Assists in minor clinical surgical procedures, including laser surgery and intravitreal injections. 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. Assists with the microbiology testing of patients with sight-threatening ocular infections, preparing instrumentation and media for intraocular biopsy and/or culture Performs thorough preparatory cleaning of critical reusable medical equipment used in surgical procedures xviii. Responsible for training other health technicians (ophthalmology) Makes work assignment Monitors workflow Provides input on performance Resolves daily workplace issues Maintains efficient flow of patient care Provides training to eye care staff, students and/or trainees Assures orientation and competency assessment of assigned staff, and oversees interactions of Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) with affiliate ophthalmology residents Promotes health education for patients and staff Coordinates patient care, referrals and consults Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am to 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required."]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
