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USAJOBS · 2 months ago

Health Technician (Ophthalmology) Technology Based Eye Care Services

Kernersville, North Carolina, USA

Full-time

Onsite

Entry Level

$57K/yr - $74K/yr

1+ years exp

The Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) for the Kernersville Health Care Center. The role involves supporting patient site care as part of the VA Technology-based Eye Care Services (TECS) TeleEye program, performing a range of diagnostic procedures and ensuring the proper maintenance of ophthalmology instruments.

ConsultingGovernmentHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologyInternetStaffing Agency

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology instruments prior to the procedure

Obtains patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs and symptoms; current medication allergies; past ocular and general medical history; family history both ocular and general; social history; and review of medications 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 relative afferent pupillary defect

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/Healthcare Technology Management and Office of Connected Care Help Desk

Instills eye medications (e.g., anesthetic, dye, dilating drops, artificial tears, ocular hypotensive/pressure lowering agents, cycloplegic, or antibiotics)

Accurately performs basic refractometry based on an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter

Assists with appropriate frame selection and measurement

Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques (e.g., rebound or applanation tonometry)

Accurately performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvature

Accurately performs confrontation visual field assessment

Accurately performs automated visual field testing

Accurately performs external photographs and fundus photography

Accurately performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina, and optic nerve

Accurately provides education subsequent to formal diagnosis by provider or symptoms that necessitate timely education for eye and systemic health

Understanding of advanced ocular diagnostics including OCT, fundus and external photography, visual field testing, image middleware/eye PACS systems (e.g., Forum) and how the clinical information is transferred across the network to VistA Imaging and middleware/eye PACS system

Based on program guidelines, performs medical record review, screening, and triage to the appropriate eye care delivery model including, but not limited to, telehealth appointments, in-person comprehensive eye appointment, subspecialty eye appointment, and community care

Accurately performs triage and identifies the correct eye care modality for the patient

Support training needs for other staff in TeleEye program

Performing others duties as assigned

Qualification

Certified Ophthalmic AssistantOphthalmology experienceAdvanced tonometryPupil evaluationEye anatomy knowledgeEnglish proficiencySoft skills

Required

U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy

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

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

Subject to background/security investigation

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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)

Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States

Experience and Education: 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 an associate's degree in a health care-related degree

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

Certification: All applicants must be certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO)

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)

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation

Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens

Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting

Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology

Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye

Knowledge of optics

Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment