This position is in the Optometry Department, which is aligned under the Surgical/Specialty Care Service Line at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System. Under direct supervision of the Optometry Supervisor, the Health Technician serves as the technician who can perform ocular imaging, perimetry, and initial evaluations for the Optometrists in the eye clinic.
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. 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 are listed below: (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. English Language Proficiency. Health Technician (Optometry) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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 (Optometry) GS-07GS-7 Experience: Candidates must have one year of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to determine preliminary objective estimate and/or refinement of the optical status of the eye, not to include the patient's final subjective refraction .2. Ability to triage and manage eyeglasses issues (e.g., measurement of vertex distance, base curve, prism correction, center thickness, slab off, Fresnel prism, decentration, etc.). 3. Ability to perform accurate assessment of accommodation, near point of convergence and ocular alignment (far and near) .4. Ability to assist the eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with ophthalmic procedures. 5. Ability to assist with obtaining accurate ocular cultures and smears.6. Knowledge and ability to provide advanced patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions. Preferred Experience: 1 year of specialized experience in the optometric field including: Ability to operate standard eye clinic diagnostic equipment (i.e. visual field, tonometry, optical coherence tomography, etc). Knowledge and ability to provide advanced patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions. Ability to obtain, document, and record ophthalmic and medical history. Proficiency with optical dispensary duties including eyeglasses fitting and dispensing (i.e. selection of appropriate frame and ophthalmic lenses, interpupillary measurements, segment height determination, transposing), and triaging and manage eyeglasses issues (i.e., measurement of vertex distance, base curve, prism correction, center thickness, slab off, Fresnel prism, decentration, etc.) Ability to provide basic triage of patient telephone calls or optometry requests. Knowledge of ophthalmic medications and supplies needed in the process of restocking the eye clinic exam rooms. Ability to determine preliminary objective estimate and/or refinement of the optical status of the eye, not to include the patient's final subjective refraction. Ability to perform accurate assessment of accommodation, near point of convergence, pupils, confrontation fields, ocular motility, and ocular alignment (far and near). Ability to assist the eye care provider with ophthalmic procedures. Assignment. Employees at this grade level serves as a full performance level health technician (optometry). The technicians perform duties such as measuring and recording visual acuity (with use of pinhole testing as indicated), obtaining accurate potential acuity meter, laser interferometry, contrast sensitivity or other specialized visual acuity measurements. The technicians also evaluate pupillary light responses and measure pupil size, determine the presence or absence of fusion and perform stereoacuity measurements. The health technicians (optometry) perform Amsler grid testing, administer eye drops under the supervision of an eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist), perform basic tonometry (e.g., non-contact, Goldmann, Tono-Pen) and estimate the anterior chamber depth with a penlight or slit lamp biomicroscope. The technicians are skilled in properly reading a basic spectacle prescription using an automated or manual lensometer, obtaining accurate autorefractometry and keratometry measurements, performing confrontation and standard automated visual field testing and administering and scoring basic color vision tests (e.g., pseudoischromatic plates, Farnsworth D-15). The technicians are also adept at measuring and recording corneal thickness by pachymetry as well as performance of advanced corneal measurements, exophthalmometry, tear testing and ocular imaging (e.g., stereo fundus, basic slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular lens master measurements, ocular ultrasonography, posterior segment optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence and/or ocular angiography). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: The work generally requires nominal walking or standing for short periods of time or carrying of light loads of papers, books, reports, computers, monitors, and may require some physical ability (may have to lift 45 pounds) and physical stress.
Duties may include but are not limited to: - Ability to work and function in the medical center in a safe manner, including infection control, ensuring correct site surgery/procedures, conducting time outs, and the correct operation of equipment - Technician must be able to properly operate, care for, disinfect, and maintain optometry equipment - Technician must have knowledge of basic optics for manipulation of equipment and testing and have knowledge of low vision devices - Understanding of age/population specific care, including knowledge of principles of growth and development relevant to the population served and associated age specific changes; ability to assess and interpret data about the patient's status and ability to identify population specific needs to provide the appropriate care based upon those factors - Technician must have knowledge to triage and must be able to make rapid and accurate observations while examining and treating patients, modify established procedures as appropriate, and accurately document patient condition, findings, and treatments - Technician explains test procedures and effects to patients, adjusts and adapts equipment and procedures to accommodate patient handicaps and improve reliability of results. - Technician must have knowledge of specific medical terminology related to diseases, treatments, and procedures of the eye that would affect the outcome of patient treatment. - The technician receives patients, confirms required patient identification, explains all steps of the examination, procedures, and photography, and answers all questions relate d to the visit to the best of his/her ability. If the technician is unable to answer specific questions; he/she will refer patients to an appropriate resource. - The technician safely and competently administers eye drops after completing the Unlicensed Assistive Personnel training course. Following completion of training in ophthalmic technology and upon demonstration of competency, the technician administers eye medications under Provider's direction. The technician must have knowledge of what constitutes eligibility for VA eye care services. The technician must have practical knowledge of medical terminology and abbreviations in order to read and interpret medical reports to assist in determining eligibility and to determine adjunct conditions. The technician must have the ability to multitask, set priorities, plan effectively and carry out assignments while utilizing good judgement. Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Work Schedule: 6:30am-5:00pm Tue-Fri Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Virtual: This is not a virtual position.