This position is organizationally aligned to the Specialty Service at the VA llliana Health Care System - a Level 3 Complexity VHA Facility. The primary purpose is to serve as health technician for the staff Optometrists within the Specialty Service, performing a variety of health care and clinical support responsibilities that are directly related to the position.
Basic Requirements: English: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Experience: Must have (1) 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: Must have successfully completed 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: Must have the equivalent combinations of experience and education. 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. In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must also meet the following grade specific requirements: GS-8 Specialized Experience: Must have (1) one year of experience comparable to the next lower level (GS-7) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. Experience includes: 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. In addition, candidates must be able to demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (a) Ability to provide patient education and training to manage complex eye and vision conditions. (b) Knowledge of advanced triage of patients depending upon level of urgency or optometry needs. (c) Knowledge of complex, non-standard treatment and/or complex examinations and techniques. (d) Knowledge of ocular pharmacology and systemic medications with ocular side effects. References: VA Handbook 5005/142, Part II, Appendix G68. Health Technician (Optometry) Qualification Standard, dated April 9, 2021. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: The work requires walking, standing, sitting, bending, and helping patients into and out of the examination chairs.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Collaborates and assists members of the health care team in data collection, visual screening (near vision, distance vision, condition of the pupil and intraocular pressure), and general care for patients ranging in age from 18 to geriatric. Independently conducts initial interview with patients to gather patient physical history. Independently orients patient and sets up equipment in preparation of routine tests. Measures and records the optical power of the spectacle correction using a lensometer. Measures refractive error and corneal curvature using automated instrumentation. Performs testing of contrast sensitivity, color vision, stereo acuity, glare sensitivity, and pupil function. Performs basic ocular motility testing. Administers cycloplegic and mydriatic drugs for fundus examination. Assists the physician in performing specialized procedures including applanation tonometry, pachymetry, and keratometry. Performs advanced color vision testing, corneal topography, lens biometry, optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior and posterior segment, A and B scan ultrasound, anterior segment photography, and fundus photography. Performs preliminary manifest refractions. Accurately measures and records both central and peripheral visual fields using both automated and manual visual field testing instrumentation. Provides patient care as assigned to include documentation of health care activities in the medical record as appropriate. Assists with the admission of the patients and the maintenance of medical records to include filing, adding demographic information, and filling out laboratory/x-ray/EKG slips. Provides training for less experienced staff technicians. Maintains current knowledge and answers questions on procedures, policies, directives, etc. and obtains needed information or decisions from supervisor on problems that come up. Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection of all clinic equipment and supplies. Works with appropriate logistics and biomedical engineering staff to to ensure calibration, maintenance, back-up, and inventory, of instruments, supplies, and equipment. Obtains quotes and assists with requests for commodities and equipment as needed. Performs other health technician-related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday Compressed Schedule: 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 authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS21-0016