Clarification from the agency

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

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Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Responsible for obtaining the patient's physical history to include chief complaint, present illness, past history (both ocular and general), family history (both ocular and general), and current eye medications.
• Obtain spectacle data, including measurement of sphere, cylinder and axis by lensometry; whether single vision, progressive add, bifocal or trifocal; whether glass or plastic lenses; amount and base direction of prism power and orientation.
• Perform optical measurements and refraction leading to the determination of the patient's refractive error (including prism measurements).
• Perform tonometry, extraocular motility testing and papillary function, Humphrey and tangent screen visual field testing, exopthalmometry, keratometry (manual and/or automated), B scan ultrasonography, A scan ultrasonography with IOL calculation, Schirmer testing for quantitative tear production, Stereopsis testing using Titmus or fly tester, color vision measurement using pseudoischromatic plates, Amsler grid testing to evaluate each eye separately for distortion, metamorphopsia, micropsia, and scotomas.
• Prepare surgical instruments for sterilization, setting up the minor procedure room for in clinic procedures, assisting the physician with these procedures, cleaning up after the procedure. Turn on laser machines in preparation for physician use, assisting physician in performing laser treatments as needed.
• Set up the procedure room for eye surgery, assisting the physician with surgical cases in the procedure room, cleaning up after eye procedures in the procedure room. Schedule surgical procedures, call patients regarding surgical appointments, fill out paperwork related to surgical cases performed in the procedure room. Do follow up calls as needed.
• The employee performs sequential diagnostic fluorescein angiography using a specialized high-speed fundus camera. The employee independently processes and evaluates all finished photographic material and continually strives to improve technique and equipment uses to maintain the highest quality images.
• Independently records clinical photographs of the ocular fundus using a highspeed fundus camera for diagnostic purposes and documentation of ocular pathology. The employee must be able to access new photographic materials and equipment for potential use and advise in the upgrading and maintenance of the fundus camera equipment.
• Performs medical observation and identification of the side effects of fluorescein angiography and other photographic procedures and has the ability to clinically resolve any difficulties that the patient may experience.
• Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) is any medical equipment designed by the manufacturer to be reused for multiple patients. All personnel who are involved with the reprocessing of RME are responsible for knowing what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices or supplies are used (inventory) in their clinical area.
• All personnel who are involved with the use of RME must be familiar with which items are reprocessed locally (on unit) and/or which items are sent to sterile processing and/or SPD for reprocessing and/or sterilization. If items are to be transported for reprocessing, personnel must be aware of the initial decontamination steps that must be taken prior to transport of item and the appropriate method of transport.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
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 #: 00000

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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/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

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.
• 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 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 an associate degree in a health care-related field. OR
  3. Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying as follows:
     • 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). 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.

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-5 (Entry Level):

• Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.
• Assignment: Employees at this grade level serve in a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) entry level position and are trainee in nature. The entry level performs limited routine assignments under daily direct supervision. Deviations from unanticipated problems and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help. Obtains and records vital signs including blood pressure, pulse, and glucose levels. Participates in performance of quality assurance activities such as staff meetings, mandatory educational in-services, quality control reports, systems redesign, and team and morale improvement.

GS-6 (Developmental Level 1):

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  1. Knowledge of general outpatient clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment.
  2. Ability to obtain, document, and record demographic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate medical record.
  3. Ability to use basic ophthalmic equipment.
  4. Knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment.

GS-7 (Developmental Level 2):

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  1. Knowledge of anatomy and function of the eye and basic ocular pharmacology.
  2. Knowledge of outpatient eye care policies and procedures in a healthcare environment.
  3. Ability to use basic ophthalmic diagnostic equipment to perform preliminary ocular testing.
  4. Ability to perform minor extraocular surgical assisting.
  5. Ability to provide eye care patient education.

GS-8 (Full Performance Level):

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant.
• Must have the skills and ability to perform refractions, eyeglass measurement and fitting, retinal photography, and tonometry, among other skills.
• Recognized certifications include: JCAHPO Certified

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-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-08.

Physical Requirements: The position requires regular physical exertion, including long periods of standing, frequent bending, reaching, and walking. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) must be able to perform precise eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to operate equipment, maintain visual acuity for assessing ocular health and equipment operation, assist with patient movement which may involve lifting or turning, stand and walk for extended periods, and communicate effectively with patients and staff. Candidates must meet the physical requirements as outlined in VA Directive and Handbook 5019 to perform the essential functions safely and efficiently.

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.