Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

A Health Technician (Ophthalmology) supports eye-care providers by conducting basic diagnostic tests, gathering accurate patient information, and operating ophthalmic equipment. The technician prepares exam or telehealth rooms, assists with visual screenings and imaging, and helps maintain efficient clinic workflow to ensure high-quality patient care.

Clinical Responsibilities The GS-8 level (Full Performance Level) is the full performance level for this assignment. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) at this level performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures. In addition to the duties expected of the GS-7 level, the following clinical duties and responsibilities are expected at the GS-8 assignment:

i. Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments.
ii. 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 medications and allergies, including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medications.
iii. Accurately tests visual acuity at a distance and near, with and without correction or with and without a pinhole.
iv. Measures eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism in both plus and minus cylinder.
v. Performs pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation. Performs swinging flashlight test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect.
vi. Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter.
vii. Instills eye medications (drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilating drops, cycloplegic drops, or antibiotics).
viii. Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques, including Goldmann applanation tonometry.
x. Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvature.
x. Performs intra-ocular lens calculations using an IOL Master or equivalent device.
xi. Performs automated visual field testing using various perimetry machines
xii. Performs external photographs and fundus photography.
xiii. Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve.
xiv. Performs patient screening and triage of potentially urgent ocular conditions.
xv. Assists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery, including revision of wounds, biopsies of the eyelid lesions, cultures of conjunctiva, or cornea; reformation of anterior chamber, evacuation of hyphema, repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts, intra-vitreous injections, and laser surgical procedures.
xvi. Educates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care, including preoperative and postoperative instructions
xvii. Assists in the education and training of medical students, residents and fellows in those facilities with medical school affiliations.
xviii. Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection; calibration, maintenance, backup, annual inventory and ordering of instruments, supplies and equipment; obtains quotes as needed; and reports needed repairs to biomedical engineering.

Work Schedule: Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency need.
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 58627F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Telework: Not authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position: Not Authorized
Functional Statement 58627F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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).
• English Language Proficiency: Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 38 U.S.C. 7407(d).
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

For the Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-8 (Full Performance Level):

Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level.

• Assignment: This is the full performance level for this assignment. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) at this level performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures with responsibility for checking calibration of instruments prior to the procedure. Responsible for obtaining patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs/symptoms; history both ocular and general; family history both ocular and general; social history; and review of medications and allergies, including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medications. Performs pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and any abnormalities, including relative afferent pupillary defect. Instills eye medications (i.e., drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilation, cycloplegic, or antibiotics. Performs patient screening and triage emergencies identifying ocular emergencies. Assists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery, including revision of wounds, biopsies of the eyelid lesions, cultures of conjunctiva, or cornea; reformation of anterior chamber, evacuation of hyphema, repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts, intra-vitreous injections, and laser surgical procedures. Educates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care, including preoperative and postoperative instructions. Assists in the education and training of medical students, residents, and fellows in those facilities with medical school affiliations. Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection; calibration, maintenance, backup, annual inventory and ordering of instruments, supplies, and equipment; obtains quotes as needed; and reports needed repairs to biomedical engineering.

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs

1. Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation;
2. Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens;
3. Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting;
4. Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology;
5. Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye;
6. Knowledge of optics.
7. Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment.

• Preferred Experience: Must have current Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) through JCAHPO The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-08.
• Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion. It may involve frequent bending, reaching and stretching to set up and take apart equipment, assisting and positioning patients. Duties require above average dexterity.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience includes both paid and unpaid work, such as service through programs like Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and other volunteer or community organizations. Volunteer work can build valuable skills and competencies that translate to paid employment. All qualifying experience-including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs conducts pre-employment reference checks to verify candidate information, gain insight into their abilities, and support hiring managers in making final selection decisions. VA policy ensures that applicants are not denied employment due to financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.