Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties and responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• GS-8 (Full Performance Level):
• Patient intake assessment. Incumbent will take brief patient history including medication, allergies and patient interim status.
• Visual acuity assessment. Incumbent must take visual acuity with and without correction, distance and near.
• Intraocular pressure determination. Incumbent must be able to take IOP with air tonometer, Goldmann tonometer, handheld and pneumotonometers.
• Lensometry. Incumbent must know how to neutralize lenses both single vision and multifocal.
• Opticianry. In addition to lens neutralization, incumbent must measure pupillary distance, distance and near, determine proper nasal bridge, bifocal size and appropriate frame size in order to appropriately fit our patients with spectacles. Frame adjustment before dispensing glasses is necessary.
• Maintenance of clinic. Incumbent is required to keep all cupboards stocked and clean with appropriate supplies. All orders for supplies are to be ordered by computer. Lines are to be stocked for use in minor surgery. Instruments are to be treated in instrument milk and cleaned before packaging for sterilization in the central supply. Small instruments require special handling and covers for tips at time of preparation. Countertops are to be properly maintained. When instruments return sterilized, they are to be stored in their appropriate area.
• Refraction of patients. Incumbent must know how to determine refractive error in patients using auto refractor.
• Ultrasonography/diagnostic. Incumbent must know how to set up the instrument used for diagnostic B scan determination including operation of the machine itself, the camera attachment and positioning of the patient. Photos taken must be mounted, labeled and procedure logged in.
• Ultrasonography-Axial Length Determination. Incumbent must know how to operate the machine, calibrate, set up the probe and position the patient. Incumbent must know how to sue both the A and B scan instruments and their proper care.
• Keratometry. Incumbent must know how to operate the several types of keratometers which are used for measuring corneal curvature in the eye clinic. Corneal curvature is used in the calculation of intraocular lens implant power prior to cataract surgery.
• Photography. The incumbent must know how to use all the cameras in the Eye Clinic, proper care of their mechanisms, order appropriate film and supplies necessary to their use,

Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00PM
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not 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 Availabe
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• 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 Technicians (Ophthalmology) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 38 U.S.C. 7407(d).
• 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). The exception only applies below the full performance level.

Grade Determinations:GS-8 (Full Performance Level): Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level

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

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/98, PART II, APPENDIX G52

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8.

Physical Requirements:The physical requirements of this position include occasional lifting, prolonged standing and sitting, frequent bending, walking (distance), climbing, reaching (overhead, extensive/repetitive), repetitive motion, and stooping. The mental/sensory requirements include recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing, speaking clearly, writing legibly, reading, and logical thinking.

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, resume, 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.