Health Technician (Ophthalmology-Advanced Level)

Job Title

Health Technician (Ophthalmology) at the advanced level performs difficult ophthalmic technical duties with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Performs refractometry utilizing retinoscopy to determine spectacle prescription.
• Kinetic visual field testing (Goldmann).
• Intraocular pressure measurements by applanation tonometry and other current methods.
• Pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and any abnormalities, including relative afferent pupillary defect.
• Basic slit lamp biomicroscopy evaluation to check for abnormalities prior to dilation (i.e.: anterior chamber depth/iris anomalies).
• May perform advanced color vision testing of the entire visual spectrum to detect complex color vision defects such as monochromats, dichromats and anomalous trichromats.
• Measures eyeglass prescriptions using manual lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis and prism in both plus and minus cylinder.
• Performs A-scan ultrasonography, including intra-ocular lens calculations, using immersion A-scan on eyes with complex pathology such as corneal scarring, irregular and/or high astigmatism, zonular weakness, high refractive error that requires multiple alternative calculating formulas.
• Performs B-scan ultrasonography to identify intraocular masses or abnormalities.
• Determines the corneal curvature by either manual keratometry or automated topography.
• Performs fluorescein or indocyanine green (ICG) angiography, with diagnostic photography of retinal vessels.
• Performs slit lamp photography.
• May perform anterior segment OCT, confocal microscopy, electroretinography, electrooculography, and visual evoked potential.
• Assists in minor clinical surgical procedures, including laser surgery and intravitreal injections.
• May assist as scrub technician in main OR surgical procedures, set up of sterile fields, operation and maintenance of phacoemulsification and vitrectomy units, cryosurgery, endolaser units, all of which require a thorough understanding of complex instrumentation and the ability to troubleshoot problems quickly and efficiently during surgical procedures and care of instruments.
• Assists with the microbiology testing of patients with sight-threatening ocular infections, preparing instrumentation and media for intraocular biopsy and/or culture.
• Performs thorough preparatory cleaning of critical reusable medical equipment used in surgical procedures.
• Responsible for training other health technicians (ophthalmology).

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0730-1600

Telework: Not available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 81996F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

US Department of Veterans Affairs