Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification 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 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.

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 associates degree in a health care related degree.

OR

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. c.

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 JCAHPOs 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:
Health Technician (Ophthalmology) 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.

Health Technician (Ophthalmology) GS-6 (Developmental Level 1)
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.

Assignment. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) at this level operates and monitors commonly used equipment performing basic screening procedures. Assists ophthalmology staff by obtaining an accurate medical and ophthalmic history measuring and recording visual acuity administering anesthetic eye drops performing basic tonometry estimating the anterior chamber depth and recording a simple spectacle reading through automated lensometry. Deviations from regular procedures unanticipated problems complex patients and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or assistance. Some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures performed under supervision.

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.

• 1. Knowledge of anatomy and function of the eye and basic ocular pharmacology
• 2. Knowledge of outpatient eye care policies and procedures in a health care 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.