Health Technician (Optometry)

The Health Technician (optometry) at the full performance level measures and accurately records visual acuity; obtains accurate specialized visual acuity measurements; accurately assesses accommodation, near point of convergence, and ocular alignment; and determines a preliminary objective estimate of optical status of the eye (not to include final subjective refraction).
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/or Education:
  • 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,
  • 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,
  • Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Examples are listed below:
    • 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. or
    • 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.

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:
Grade Requirements: GS-04 Requirements

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements

Grade Requirements: GS-05 Requirements

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

Grade Requirements: GS-06 Requirements

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • 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.
  • Ability to accurately enter into a phoropter the autorefractometry or habitual refractive prescription (i.e., eyeglasses prescription) or lensometer findings, including sphere, cylinder and axis.
  • 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.
  • Ability to provide basic triage of patient telephone calls or optometry requests.
  • Knowledge of ophthalmic medications and supplies needed in the process of restocking the eye clinic exam rooms.

Grade Requirements: GS-07 Requirements

• 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.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • 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.
  • 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.).
  • Ability to perform accurate assessment of accommodation, near point of convergence and ocular alignment (far and near).
  • Ability to assist the eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with ophthalmic procedures.
  • Ability to assist with obtaining accurate ocular cultures and smears.
  • Knowledge and ability to provide advanced patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions.

Preferred Experience: 1 year of Optometry/Ophthalmic technician experience
References: VA Handbook 5005/96, Part II Appendix G68, Health Technician-Telehealth Clinical Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-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:

• Physical Demands: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Employment Type: FULL_TIME