BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship: Must be a Citizen of the United States. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 38 U.S.C. 7407(d). 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. 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 below the full performance level as a graduate Health Technician. In addition to the Basic Requirements, applicants must meet the following GRADE REQUIREMENTS GS-8 Grade Requirements (Full Performance Level):Experience: Must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. Experience includes: Performing the following: triages patient phone calls or requests; ensures exam rooms are stocked with adequate supplies; instructs patients on administration of eye drops and post-operative instructions; accurately measures, compares, and evaluates pupillary responses; administers eye drops to dilate pupils; performs basic color vision screening; performs visual field testing (using Amsler grid or automated equipment). Performing basic imaging testing such as corneal topography; external photography; performing basic ocular testing such as pachymetry, tear production with test strips, glare testing, stereo acuity, contrast sensitivity, potential acuity meter, measuring spectacles using both automated and manual lensometry and transposing cylinders. Assisting the ophthalmologist during minor ophthalmic surgical procedures and is adept at applying sterile technique and infection control procedures. Performing autorefractor to determine spectacle prescription. In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 1. Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation; 2. Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens; 3. Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting; 4. Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology; 5. Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye; 6. Knowledge of optics; and 7. Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Physical demands do not exceed those of a typical office setting. There may be some walking, standing twisting, turning, sitting, pushing, bending, repetitive keyboarding, or carrying of light items.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This Health Technician (Ophthalmology) is located at the Green Bay and Appleton Outpatient Clinic. The purpose of this position is to perform a variety of specialized ophthalmic procedures. Duties Include: -Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments. -Obtains patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs and symptoms; current medication allergies; past ocular and general medical history both ocular and general; family history both ocular and general; social history; and review of medications and allergies, including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medications. -Accurately tests visual acuity at distance and near, with and without correction or with and without a pinhole. -Measures eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism in both plus and minus cylinder. -Performs pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation. Performs swinging flashlight test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect. -Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter. -Instills eye medications (drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilating drops, cycloplegic drops, or antibiotics). -Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques, including Goldmann applanation tonometry.-Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness or automated topography to determine corneal curvature. -Performs intra-ocular lens calculations using an IOL Master or equivalent device. -Performs automated visual field testing using various perimetry machines. -Performs fundus photography. -Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve. -Performs patient screening and triage of potentially urgent ocular conditions. -Assists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery and laser surgical procedures. -Educates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care. -Assists in the education and training of medical students, residents and fellows in those facilities with medical school affiliations. -Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection; calibration, maintenance, backup, annual inventory and ordering of instruments, supplies and equipment; obtains quotes as needed; and reports needed repairs to biomedical engineering. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:45am to 4:15pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 02041F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized