Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

• Conduct comprehensive initial interviews with patients to gather detailed medical and ocular histories, including current symptoms, previous treatments, family ocular history and medication currently prescribed. Identify possible unconventional problems areas that maybe affecting the patient's overall well-being. The information gathered is used for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating patient condition and care for patients ranging from 18 to geriatric.
• Measure and record both corrected and uncorrected visual acuities, as well as the specifications of the patient's spectacles using a lensometer. Assess whether vision can be enhanced through minor adjustments to the lenses or the use of a pinhole device.
• Evaluate and document the optical power of spectacles, including detailed assessments of contact lens parameters such as base curve, overall diameter, power, and tint specifications.
• Measure and record the range of accommodation power; conduct refractometry using an automated objective refractometer; and perform tests for contrast sensitivity, color vision, ETDRS acuity, stereo acuity, glare sensitivity, and pupillometry. Conduct glare testing to evaluate visual acuity in cataract patients. Perform basic ocular motility assessments and administers cycloplegic and mydriatic agents for fundus examinations.
• Assist physicians in conducting specialized procedures, including Visual Field Tests (VFT), corneal topography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), slit lamp photography, fundus photography, biometry, ultrasound A/B scans, ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), fluorescein angiography, and both automated and manual keratometry readings, as well as intraocular pressure checks through tonometry.
• Prepare and stock examining rooms to meet the providers' needs for patient care. Ensure that all materials, products, ocular drops, and ointments are current and not expired. Restock post-operative documents required for patient education. Select and prepare the appropriate equipment for specific minor procedures to be performed in the clinic. Organize instruments, supplies, and equipment systematically, and verify that all equipment is functioning properly.
• Maintain a sterile environment throughout the procedure.
• Facilitate patient movement within the clinic to minimize delays and reduce duplication of efforts, thereby decreasing patient wait times.- Distribute and balance workload among staff technicians based on established workflows and job specializations.
• Maintain awareness of the status and progress of tasks, making daily adjustments as needed according to priority, and seek assistance from supervisors for any issues that may arise, such as backlogs that cannot be resolved promptly.
• Retrieve relevant clinical documents and images for the following day's clinic.
• Provide training to less experienced staff technicians and stays updated on procedures, policies, and directives to answer any questions that arise.
• By staying current with advancements in ophthalmic technology and practices, the senior technician enhances the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the department, ultimately improving patient care and outcome.
• Seek necessary information or decisions from lead/supervisor when problems occur.
• Additionally, complete other duties related to health technician responsibilities as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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.

• 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.

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

a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.

b. 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:(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.

c. 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).

Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-5 (Entry Level)
Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-6 (Developmental Level 1)
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of general outpatient clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment;
2. Ability to obtain, document and record demographic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate medical record;
3. Ability to use basic ophthalmic equipment; and
4. Knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment.

Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-7 (Developmental Level 2)
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of anatomy and function of the eye and basic ocular pharmacology;
2. Knowledge of outpatient eye care policies and procedures in a health care environment;
3. Ability to use basic ophthalmic diagnostic equipment to perform preliminary ocular testing;
4. Ability to perform minor extraocular surgical assisting; and
5. Ability to provide eye care patient education.

Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-8 (Full Performance Level)
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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; and
7. Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8.
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8.

Physical Requirements: The Health Technician-Ophthalmology should be able to lift and/or carry up to 45 pounds (intermittently). They will also straight pull/push up to 45 pounds (intermittently). They will stoop, squat and kneel (occasionally). The incumbent will have overhead work (intermittently). Position requires prolonged walking and standing (up to 4 hours per day) and sitting (up to 2 hours per day).

How you will be evaluated

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.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced 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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps