This position is located in the Ophthalmology Clinic Clinical Directorate of Surgical Services product line of the Patient Care Business Unit, at the CAPT James A. Lovell FHCC. The incumbent serves as a health technician performing specialized technical work associated with the examination, evaluation, care and treatment of ophthalmology patients. JACHPO certification as COA, COT or COMT is strongly preferred, and continued certification will be support. 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. The following are requirements for appointment as a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). These requirements apply to all VHA Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) in the General Schedule (GS)-0640 series. 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 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 (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; (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). (1) 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 (2) Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, the Health Technician (Ophthalmology) must actively pursue meeting certification requirements starting from the date of appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the uncertified Health Technician (Ophthalmology) with the written requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to become certified within two years from date of appointment will result in removal from the Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-0640 series and may result in termination of employment. (3) Loss of Credentials. A Health Technician (Ophthalmology) who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment Grade Determinations: Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-8 (Full Performance Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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; 7. Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment. This is considered to be the full performance level for this assignment. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) at this level performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures with responsibility for checking calibration of instruments prior to the procedure. Responsible for obtaining patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs/symptoms; past 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. Preferred Experience: Strongly prefer JACHPO Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) or Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/98 PART II APPENDIX G52. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ["The duties of this occupation include but are not limited to the following: Interviews and screens patient prior to being seen by the ophthalmologist. This includes performing initial assessment including chief complaint, history of present illness including signs and symptoms; past ocular and general history; family history both ocular and general; social history and review of medication and allergies including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medications. Performs a variety of ophthalmic tests and procedures using specialized instruments and equipment to perform diagnostic tests of patients' vision. 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, and any abnormalities, including relative afferent pupillary defect. Performs basic refraction utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter. Requires ability to perform refraction utilizing both manual and automate phoropter. Performs keratometry, color vision testing and Amsler grid testing. Instills eye medications (i.e., drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilation, cycloplegic, or antibiotics. Responsible for measuring intraocular pressure of the eye utilizing techniques, including Goldman applanation tonometry. Supervisory Control: The duties and responsibilities of this position are performed under the general supervision of the Section Chief of Ophthalmology who makes assignments by defining overall objectives, priorities and deadlines. The incumbent is expected to perform his/her duties independently and solve commonly occurring technical problems. Clinical assistance is provided by the supervisor or other ophthalmologists for unusual cases or in those situations where deviation from standard procedures might be required. Qualifications: Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation; Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens; Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting; Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology; Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye; Knowledge of optics; and ability to fit, order and dispense glasses and frames Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment Communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers. Maintenance of confidentiality of patient/employee information, electronic and print Knowledge of how to work in the medical center safely, including infection control and correct operation of equipment and personal protective equipment. Age specific care, including knowledge of changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric age groups; ability to assess and interpret data Customer Service: Ophthalmic Technician demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers. Technician consistently communicates with and assists customers, visitors and staff in a courteous and professional manner. Promotes positive images of veteran and active duty patients as well as of the facility. Ophthalmic Technician creates and maintains an environment that ensures confidentiality of and privacy for patients. Ophthalmic technician continually promotes teamwork by cooperating with and supporting staff, visitors, and customers in achieving medical center, VISN and VA goals/mission Age, Developmental and Cultural needs of patients: The technician demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in his or her assigned area. Computer Security: The technician maintains the confidentiality of patient/employee information, in both electronic and print formats. The tech is responsible for adhering to medical center safety rules and regulations, promotes safe behavior within the clinic and department. The tech ensures compliance with medicalcenter computer security procedures and policies on computer security. The tech safeguards their own computers and their access/verify codes. Work Schedule: Full Time 7:30am - 4:00pm Monday- Friday Telework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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