Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to U.S. Citizens and Veterans.

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The Health Technician performs duties such as measuring and recording visual acuity (with use of pinhole testing as indicated), obtaining accurate potential acuity meter, laser interferometry, contrast sensitivity or other specialized visual acuity measurements; evaluate pupillary light responses and measure pupil size; determine the presence or absence of fusion and perform stereoacuity measurements; 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. The technicians are skilled in properly reading a basic spectacle prescription using an automated or manual lensometer, obtaining accurate autorefractometry and keratometry measurements, performing confrontation and standard automated visual field testing and administering and scoring basic color vision tests (e.g., pseudoischromatic plates, Farnsworth D-15). The technician is adept at measuring and recording corneal thickness by pachymetry as well as performance of advanced corneal measurements, exophthalmometry, tear testing and ocular imaging (e.g., stereo fundus, basic slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular lens master measurements, ocular ultrasonography, posterior segment optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence and/or ocular angiography).

The technician applies knowledge of the subject matter area including an understanding of the objective and operations involved to independently plan for possible patient evaluation and treatment, monitors patient data collected and patient well-being and responds appropriately by collecting additional data; assists the eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with other ophthalmic procedures as needed (e.g., obtaining accurate ocular cultures and smears; performs patient spectacle fitting and dispensing as needed (e.g., selection of appropriate frame, ophthalmic lenses, interpupillary measurements - distance and near - and proper segment height determination and transposes sphere, cylinder and axis the CPRS record); triages and manages eyeglasses issues, performs minor eyeglasses repairs (such as replacing nose pads and screws).

This vacancy is open to current U.S Citizens and Veterans. If you are a current permanent VA employee or a current permanent of another federal agency, please apply to link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/606001400

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:30 pm (a compressed scheduled is available, i.e., in a two -week pay period, four- 9 hour work days, and one- 8 hour work day & one- off tour day)
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

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.
• English Language Proficiency. Health Technician (Optometry) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Experience and Education
(1) Experience. 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
(2) Education. Successful completion of 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
(3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. 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.

Licensure/Certification/Registration. None

May qualify 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). All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification.

Health Technician (Optometry), GS-04: Experience.

None beyond the basic requirements which are: Experience. 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
(2)Education. Successful completion of 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
(3)Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. 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.

Health Technician (Optometry), GS-05: Experience.

One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(a)Knowledge of basic eye anatomy and function.(b)Ability to obtain, document and record ophthalmic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate electronic progress note.(c)Ability to practice basic hygiene and infection control in a patient care setting.(d)Ability to follow eye clinic and patient care medical policies and procedures.(e)Ability to perform minor eyeglasses repairs, such as replacing nose pads and screws.

Health Technician (Optometry), GS-06: Experience.

One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(a)Ability to provide patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions, to include assisting with patient contact lens insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection) care.(b)Ability to accurately enter into a phoropter the auto refractometry or habitual refractive prescription (i.e., eyeglasses prescription) or lensometer findings, including sphere, cylinder and axis.(c)Ability to perform patient spectacle fitting and dispensing, including selection of appropriate frame, ophthalmic lenses, interpupillary measurements (distance and near) and proper segment height determination, as well as the ability to transpose sphere, cylinder and axis.(d)Ability to provide basic triage of patient telephone calls or optometry requests.(e)Knowledge of ophthalmic medications and supplies needed in the process of restocking the eye clinic exam rooms. recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package.

Health Technician (Optometry), GS-07: 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. 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 determine preliminary objective estimate and/or refinement of the optical status of the eye, not to include the patient's final subjective refraction.(b)Ability to triage and manage eyeglasses issues (e.g., measurement of vertex distance, base curve, prism correction, center thickness, slab off, Fresnel prism, decentration, etc.).(c)Ability to perform accurate assessment of accommodation, near point of convergence and ocular alignment (far and near).(d)Ability to assist the eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with ophthalmic procedures.(e)Ability to assist with obtaining accurate ocular cultures and smears.(f)Knowledge and ability to provide advanced patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions.

References: VA Handbook 5005/142, Part II, Appendix G68

The full performance level of this vacancy is 7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-7.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent of this position must be able to work for sustained periods under pressure. Heavy clinics will occasionally require long hours under hectic conditions, and the ability to be flexible in regard to patient need is critical. More specifically, the position requires the operation of several different devices under dim illumination for the examination of patients. These generally require that the operator sit opposite patient, using one hand to support the eyelids in the static position while the body, head, and other hand of the operator must be able to shift positions sometimes rapidly to obtain the optimal picture field during an angiography procedure. In addition, the operator's eye is employed in this arrangement and the combination of static position and adjusting movements can be stressful and tiring.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.