Summary The Ophthalmic Health Technician provides clinical support in a wide variety of activities in the ambulatory care area of the Medical Center under the supervision of licensed health professionals. The incumbent will be accountable to the Supervisory Health Technician. The incumbent will possess necessary skills in supportive tasks/tests/procedures to meet patient care and program needs specific to the eye clinic. Responsibilities For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must be 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. At the advanced level, the health technicians (Optometry) perform: - Difficult and responsible ophthalmic technology duties with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. - Perform duties such as advanced color vision testing, advanced perimetry including both automated and manual techniques. - Advanced ophthalmic imaging and diagnostic testing. (e.g., anterior segment optical coherence tomography, advanced ultrasonography, confocal microscopy, electro-diagnostic testing, etc.) - Advanced patient education and training and vision rehabilitation services. - Ability to provide patient education and training to manage complex eye and vision conditions. - Knowledge of advanced triage of patients depending upon level of urgency or optometry needs. - Knowledge of complex, non-standard treatment and/or complex examinations and techniques. - Knowledge of ocular pharmacology and systemic medications with ocular side effects. - Ability to provide patient education and training to manage complex eye and vision conditions. - Knowledge of advanced triage of patients depending upon level of urgency or optometry needs. - Knowledge of complex, non-standard treatment and/or complex examinations and techniques. - Knowledge of ocular pharmacology and systemic medications with ocular side effects. - Meets the needs of all customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions. - Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. - Provides the customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. - Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. - Provides care and/or services appropriate to the age of the patients being served, and which is appropriate to the cognitive; emotional, and chronological maturation of the patient. - Assesses data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age-specific needs and to provide care needed as described in the services' policies and procedures. - Takes into consideration age-related differences of the various veteran populations with this institution. - The incumbent must demonstrate the knowledge of the changes associated with aging and possess the ability to provide care/support based upon age related factors. - Ensures staff receives training in these categories. - Sensitivity to the special needs of all patients in respect to age, developmental requirements, and culturally related factors must be consistently achieved. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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 trial period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications 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. Education or Training: 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: (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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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 Requirements: In addition to the basic requirements, you must meet the following grade requirements. GS-08 Health Technician (Optometry). You must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-07 level. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to: measuring and recording visual acuity; evaluate pupillary light responses and measure pupil size, determine the presence or absence of fusion and perform stereoacuity measurements; administer eye drops under the supervision of an eye care provider; assist the eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with ophthalmic procedures; provide patient education and training to manage complex eye and vision conditions; reading a basic spectacle prescription using an automated or manual lensometer, performing confrontation and standard automated visual field testing and administering and scoring basic color vision tests. AND 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: Ability to provide patient education and training to manage complex eye and vision conditions. Knowledge of advanced triage of patients depending upon level of urgency or optometry needs. Knowledge of complex, non-standard treatment and/or complex examinations and techniques. Knowledge of ocular pharmacology and systemic medications with ocular side effects. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
