Health Technician (Ophthalmology)-Advanced Level

The Health Technician (Ophthalmology)-Advanced Level will be assigned to the Surgical Care Service of the Orlando VA Healthcare System, incumbent will report to the Orlando VA Healthcare System in Orlando, FL (Lake Nona).

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 English Language Proficiency:

Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

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.

OR Experience/Education Combination:

Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.

Examples are listed below:

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). 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 meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-09 Health Technician (Ophthalmology)-

Advanced Level Experience:

One (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-8 grade level. While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge's Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training; otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim. These are the KSA's for this subject position: Knowledge of advanced clinical optics, advanced ocular motility, advanced diagnostic testing, and microbiology testing; Knowledge of ophthalmic surgical instruments; Knowledge of appropriate preparatory cleaning of reusable medical equipment; and Ability to assist in ophthalmic surgical procedures performed in the main operation room.

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:

This position requires visual acuity, the ability to distinguish basic colors, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and above average manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, kneeling, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing moderately heavy objects, and reaching and stretching to set up and take apart equipment. Lifting, positioning, and transferring patients and objects of 45 pounds and over may be required. The incumbent may have regular and recurring exposure to infectious and contagious diseases, contaminated materials, odors, and other risks which require special health and safety precautions such as wearing protective clothing like gloves, masks, or lead aprons. This position is evaluated as category level I in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards; the position requires the performance of tasks that involve exposure to blood and potentially infectious body fluids. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. High levels of physical energy and stamina are needed to cope with the demands of this rigorous job. Good strength and well-developed musculoskeletal function are necessary for occasional lifting, positioning, or transferring of sedated patients. Highly refined dexterity is necessary to handle the demands of sophisticated procedural equipment. Excellent visual skills are necessary for evaluating the clinical status of patients.