Health Technician; Ophthalmology

Summary

Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration perform functions such as technical clinical care to patients who have received care provided by Ophthalmologists/Optometrists for diagnosis - treatment - prevention - follow-up care and patient counseling. The Technician performs screening procedures such as patient history - pupil responses - visual acuity - and color vision testing. Technicians may analyze lens prescriptions - and fit eyeglasses and/or complex optical devices.

Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration perform functions such as technical clinical care to patients who have received care provided by Ophthalmologists/Optometrists for diagnosis - treatment - prevention - follow-up care and patient counseling. The Technician performs screening procedures such as patient history - pupil responses - visual acuity - and color vision testing. Technicians may analyze lens prescriptions - and fit eyeglasses and/or complex optical devices.

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.

• 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 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
• c
• 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) Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment
• Employees at this grade level serve in a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) entry level position and are trainee in nature
• The entry level performs limited routine assignments under daily direct supervision
• Deviations from unanticipated problems and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help
• Obtains and records vital signs including blood pressure - pulse - and glucose levels
• Participates in performance of quality assurance activities such as staff meetings - mandatory educational in-services - quality control reports - systems redesign - and team and morale improvement
• Health Technician (Ophthalmology) - GS-6 (Developmental Level
  1) Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level
• Assignment
• The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) at this level operates and monitors commonly used equipment performing basic…