Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

Clinical DutiesPerforms diagnostic ophthalmic/optometric testing with minimal oversight.Ensures accuracy and reliability of clinical imaging and diagnostic data.Supports ophthalmologists and optometrists during patient evaluation and clinical procedures.Provides mentoring, hands-on instruction, and assesses competency and competency reinforcement for technicians, students, and trainees.Checks and perform calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments.Obtains patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs and symptoms; current medication allergies; past ocular and general medical history both ocular and general; family history both ocular and general; social history; and review of medication and allergies, including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medications.Accurately tests visual acuity at distance and near, with and without correction or with and without a pinhole.Measures eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism in both plus and minus cylinder.Performs pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation. Performs swinging flashlight test to detect a relatively different pupillary defect.Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter.Instills eye medications (drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilating drops, cycloplegic drops, or antibiotics).Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques, including Goldmann applanation tonometry.Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvature.Performs intra-ocular lens calculations using an IOL Master or Lens Star or equivalent device.Assists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery, including, for example, revision of wounds, biopsies of the eyelid lesions, cultures of conjunctiva, or cornea; reformation of anterior chamber, evacuation of hyphemia, repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts, intra-vitreous injections, and laser surgical procedures.Work AssignmentsReassesses workload based on patient volume, staffing needs, provider schedules, and urgency of care.Adjusts assignments during call-outs or high-demand periods to maintain smooth clinic operations.Responsible for health technician training on clinical reminders and regularly monitors compliance to ensure adherence to established protocols.Monitors patient throughput, wait times, and room utilization.Identifies and resolves bottlenecks to ensure efficient patient movement and minimal delays.Work ScheduleMonday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:45pmPayCompetitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).Paid Time Off37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.Parental LeaveAfter 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.Child Care SubsidyAfter 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66RetirementTraditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VAInsuranceFederal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)TeleworkNot AvailableVirtualThis is not a virtual position.Functional Statement #000000Permanent Change of Station (PCS)Not Authorized