Summary This position is in the Department of Surgery (Health Tech (Ophthalmology). The incumbent must have in-depth knowledge of the functions of the visual system, optics and basic ophthalmic pharmacology. In addition, and exceptional knowledge of ocular physiology and microbiology is required. Clinical acumen to recognize ocular emergencies and ophthalmic complications is required so that appropriate triage of patients can be undertaken. Responsibilities 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: Monday-Friday 7:30AM-4:00PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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 levelDemonstrated 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. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.