The primary purpose is to serve as health technician and administrative assistant for the staff Ophthalmologist(s)/Optometrist(s) within Eye Care Service at the Eugene and Roseburg VA facilities, performing a variety of health care and administrative duties that are directly related to the position. The position performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic ophthalmic procedures. 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. 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 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. 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. 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-8 (Full Performance Level) Experience. 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 at the GS-7 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:. (a) Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation. (b) Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens (c) Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting;. (d) Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology. (d) Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye. (e) Knowledge of optics. (f) Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment. Assignment. 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. Performs pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and any abnormalities, including relative afferent pupillary defect. Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter. 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 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 the IOL Master. Performs automated visual field testing using various perimetry machines. Performance of external photographs and fundus photography. Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve. Performs patient screening and triage emergencies identifying ocular emergencies. Performs patient screening and telephone triage for immediate care. 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 reports needed repairs to biomedical engineering. Preferred Experience: COA is the minimum certification, but we would be happy to have applicants with higher certifications including COT and COMT. References: VA Handbook 5005/98 Part II Appendix G52The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: The work requires considerable periods of standing and walking with occasional bending and sitting. Some assisting or light lifting is also required. The technician must also be able to work for sustained periods; requiring flexibility in the schedule with breaks taken when available. The work is performed in an eye clinic office setting located within the medical center complex. There are moderate risks that require safety precautions, such as wearing gloves and masks as needed when providing patient care. The risks may involve such things as communicable diseases, stress, or verbal abuse caused by disturbed or agitated patients or family members. ["FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES (MAJOR DUTIES): Collaborates and assists members of the health care team in data collection, visual screening, and general care for patients. Information is used for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient condition and care. Independently conducts initial interview with patients to gather medical history and information on visual complaints, past eye injuries, and family history of eye diseases. During the initial interview, identifies possible unconventional problem areas that may be affecting the patient's overall well-being. Obtains and records patient data to include the case history, medical conditions and medications currently prescribed, allergies, and date of last exam. Queries patient regarding new symptoms and or chief complaints and documents findings. Independently orients patient and sets up equipment in preparation of routine tests. Obtains reason for visit; pertinent signs and symptoms; past ocular and general medical history; 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 and/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. Measures and records the range of accommodative power; performs refractometry with an objective automated refractometer; performs contrast sensitivity testing to augment visual acuity assessment. Measures refractive error and corneal curvature using automated instrumentation. Performs testing of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, color vision, ETDRS acuity, stereo acuity testing, glare sensitivity, and pupillometry. Performs glare testing for diminution in visual acuity for cataract patients. 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 and preliminary manifest refractions 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 intra­ocular lens calculations using an IOL Master or equivalent device. Performs automated visual field testing using various perimetry machines. Performs external photographs and fund us 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 in eye care, including preoperative and postoperative instructions. 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. Provides patient care as assigned to include documentation of health care activities in patients records as appropriate. Selects proper instruments for specific procedure to be performed. Arranges instruments, supplies, and equipment in order and checks equipment for proper operation. Maintains sterile environment during procedure. Administers drops, ointments, and oral medications and observes patient for possible contraindications. Places patch or bandages as directed. Cleans and sterilizes instruments and sets up appropriately. Prepares smears, scrapings, and specimens of the eye for microbiological study. Assists physician with studies assuring complete documentation. Documents data collected in patient encounters in the medical record. Receives telephone request for appointments and appointment changes. Obtains pertinent information, such as patients name, Date of Birth, and contact information to complete required forms. Schedules appointments using the computer system and/or multiple appointments based on clinic schedules, availability of providers, nature of treatment and/or emergency requirements. Work Schedule: M-F, 07:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

Return to Search Results