Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent employees of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System only. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Refractometry utilizing retinoscopy to determine spectacle prescription;
• Kinetic visual field testing (Goldmann) utilizing the HVF analyzer;
• Intraocular pressure measurements by applanation tonometry and other current methods;
• Pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and any abnormalities, including relative afferent pupillary defect;
• Basic slit lamp biomicroscopy evaluation to check for abnormalities prior to dilation (i.e.: anterior chamber depth/iris anomalies).
• May perform advanced color vision testing of the entire visual spectrum to detect complex color vision defects such as monochromats, dichromats and anomalous trichromats.
• Measures eyeglass prescriptions using manual lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis and prism in both plus and minus cylinder.
• Performs A-scan ultrasonography, including intra-ocular lens calculations, using immersion A-scan on eyes with complex pathology such as corneal scarring, irregular and/or high astigmatism, zonular weakness, high refractive error that requires multiple alternative calculating formulas.
• Performs B-scan ultrasonography to identify intraocular masses or abnormalities.
• Determines the corneal curvature by either manual keratometry or automated topography.
• Performs fluorescein or indocyanine green (ICG) angiography, with diagnostic photography of retinal vessels.
• Performs slit lamp photography.
• May perform anterior segment OCT, confocal microscopy, electroretinography, electrooculography, and visual evoked potential.
• Assists in minor clinical surgical procedures, including laser surgery and intravitreal injections.
• May assist as scrub technician in main OR surgical procedures, set up of sterile fields, operation and maintenance of phacoemulsification and vitrectomy units, cryosurgery, endolaser units, all of which require a thorough understanding of complex instrumentation and the ability to troubleshoot problems quickly and efficiently during surgical procedures and care of instruments.
• Assists with the microbiology testing of patients with sight-threatening ocular infections, preparing instrumentation and media for intraocular biopsy and/or culture.
• Performs thorough preparatory cleaning of critical reusable medical equipment used in surgical procedures.
• Responsible for training other health technicians (ophthalmology).

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

This position is located at the Data Point VA Clinic 8410 Data Point Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3220

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.
• 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

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 and Education
  • 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. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR
  • Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below: (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
    • Six months of experience in the health care field; and one year above high school; or
    • 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
    • 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). (COPY OF CERTIFICATION REQUIRED)

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). All persons employed in VHA as a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) on the effective date of this qualification standard, February 7, 2018, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification requirements.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, I possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-8 grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. This includes: performing advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation, performing calculations for selection of itraocular lens, clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting, knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology, knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye, knowledge of optics, knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of advanced clinical optics, advanced ocular motility, advanced diagnostic testing, and microbiology testing;
2. Knowledge of ophthalmic surgical instruments;
3. Knowledge of appropriate preparatory cleaning of reusable medical equipment; and
4. Ability to assist in ophthalmic surgical procedures performed in the main operation room.

Preferred Experience:

• Must be proficient in all aspects of ophthalmic diagnostic imaging.
• Proficient in manifest refraction and retinoscopy.
• Experience in leadership
• Experience in presenting lectures.
• Experience in training Ophthalmic health technicians.
• Experience in maintaining and calibrating ophthalmic equipment.
• Minimal COA certification is required additional certifications will be considered a plus for this position example CRA, COMT, ROUB.
• Minimum 3 years experience performing imaging.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 lbs.; light carrying, under 15 lbs.; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking 2 hours; standing 1 hour; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; specific visual requirement of DVA 20/40 Binoc; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); near visual correctable to Jaeger 1

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.