Health Technician (Ophthalmology) Advance Level support Optometrists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care, and patient counseling. At the advanced level, performs difficult ophthalmic technical duties with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgement and range of variety as described in this standard and to be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

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 :

Citizenship :

Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Experience and Education-Transcript submitted 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 degree in a health care related degree. OR Experience/Education Combination . Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. 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:

-Documentation Submitted 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).

Grade Determination:

Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-9 (Advanced Level) - In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met: (a)

Experience:

One year of experience equivalent to the GS-8 grade level. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) . In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following

KSAs:

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 09.

Physical Requirements:

Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 for additional information.