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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Health Technician - Ophthalmology - Relocation Incentive Near Austin, TX

Qualifications:

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Experience and Education (1) Experience. One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to nursing, medical assistant, or health technician. OR(2) 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(3) 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 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. Exemption to certification is only authorized up to GS-07 grade level. ALL applicants who wish to be considered at the GS-08 grade level 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:

Experience:

• (GS-5) Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.
• (GS-6) Experience: You must have one year experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Experience includes performing limited routine assignments under daily direct supervision and obtaining and recording vital signs including blood pressure, pulse and glucose levels. Participated in performance of quality assurance activities such as staff meetings, mandatory educational in-services, quality control reports, systems redesign, and team and morale improvement.
• (GS-7) Experience. You must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. Experience includes: operates and monitors commonly used equipment performing basic screening procedures. Assists ophthalmology staff by obtaining an accurate medical and ophthalmic history, measuring and recording visual acuity, administering anesthetic eye drops, performing basic tonometry, estimating the anterior chamber depth and recording a simple spectacle reading through automated lensometry.
• (GS-8) Experience: You must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. Experience includes: 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). Performs basic imaging testing such as corneal topography; external photography; performs 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. assists the ophthalmologist during minor ophthalmic surgical procedures and is adept at applying sterile technique and infection control procedures. Performs autorefractor to determine spectacle prescription.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates must demonstrate the following (KSAs).:
GS-05 None beyond the basic Experience and Education requirements.

GS-6 In addition to the experience equivalent to the GS-5 level, do you meet all of the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of general outpatient clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment;
2. Ability to obtain, document and record demographic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate medical record;
3. Ability to use basic ophthalmic equipment; and
4. Knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment.

GS-07 In addition to the experience and KSA's equivalent to the GS-6 level, you must meet all of the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of anatomy and function of the eye and basic ocular pharmacology;
2. Knowledge of outpatient eye care policies and procedures in a health care environment;
3. Ability to use basic ophthalmic diagnostic equipment to perform preliminary ocular testing;
4. Ability to perform minor extraocular surgical assisting; and 5. Ability to provide eye care patient education.

GS-8 In addition to the experience and KSA's equivalent to the GS-7 level, you must meet 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; and
7. Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment.

Preferred Experience:
Certification by JCAHPO for minimum Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA)
Previous experience working with ophthalmology practice.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005 APPENDIX G32. HEALTH TECHNICIAN (OPHTHALMOLOGY) GS-0640

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-08.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Responsibilities:

Clinical Responsibilities

GS-5 Level

• 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

GS-6 Level

• Obtains an accurate medical and ophthahnic history
• Measures and records visual acuity
• Administers anesthetic eye drops
• Performing basic tonometry
• Estimates the anterior chamber depth
• Records a simple spectacle reading through automated lensometry

GS-7 Level

• 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 basic visual field testing (using Amsler grid or automated equipment)
• Performs basic imaging testing such as corneal topography; external photography
• Performs 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
• Assists the ophthalmologist during minorophthalmic surgical procedures and is adept at· applying sterile technique and infection control procedures
• Performs autorefractor todetermine spectacle prescription

GS-8 Level

• 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 and manual keratometry 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 external photographs and 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, including revision of wounds, biopsies of the eyelid lesions, cultures of conjunctiva, or cornea; reformation of anterior chamber, evacuation of hyphema, repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts, intra-vitreous injections, and laser surgical procedures
• Educates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care, including preoperative and postoperative instructions
• 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 rep01ts needed repairs to biomedical engineering

Customer Service

• Meets the needs of customers while supporting the Medical Center, Service and national VA priorities. Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Handles conflict and veteran complaints constructively and appropriately. Collaborates with other health care staff in a manner that enhances coordination of comprehensive patient care.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm or 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation Incentive: A relocation incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified individual.
Functional Statement #: 0000/Health Technician (Ophthalmology)
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary