Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care, and patient counselling. At the Advanced Level, Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) perform complex ophthalmic technical duties with considerable latitude to exercise independent judgment.

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:

Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

English Language:

Proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).

Certification:

Certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO).

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 degree in a health care field

OR Combination of Experience and Education:

Equivalent combination of experience and education is 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following

KSAs:

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:

Proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).

Certification:

Certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO).

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 degree in a health care field

Grade Determinations :

GS-09 (Advanced Level)

Experience:

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-09, you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08)

AND GS-09

Knowledge, skills, and abilities that must be clearly demonstrated in your resume: Ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities of a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) to effectively complete job duties of assignment such as distributing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, monitoring accuracy of work, etc. Ability to communicate effectively to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels. Ability to assist in Health Technician (Ophthalmology) development, outcome management, and strategic planning. Ability to act as liaison between Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) to resolve informal employee complaints and concerns.

Preferred Experience:

Leadership experience in

Technology-based Eye Care Services 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

•9

Physical Requirements:

This work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment, or assisting patients. The work requires above-average agility and dexterity. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.