Why This Health Technician (Ophthalmology) Job Matters
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Health Technician (Ophthalmology) Job Overview
Basic Requirements: 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 (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 (c) Six months of experience in the health care field and completion of an independent study course in Ophthalmic Medical Assisting. AND 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). Note: you MUST provide a copy of your certification with your application package Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements may be appointed as a graduate Health Technician (Ophthalmology) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) that provides care under the supervision of an Ophthalmologist. The exception only applies below the full performance level. For grade levels at (GS-8) or above the candidate must be certified. Failure to obtain COA certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment and may result in termination of employment. *May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-05: None beyond the basic requirements GS-06: Must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Equivalent experience would include: performs limited routine assignments under daily direct supervision; deviations from unanticipated problems and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help; obtains and records vital signs including blood pressure, pulse, and glucose levels; participates in performance of quality assurance activities such as staff meetings, mandatory educational in-services, quality control reports, systems redesign, and team and morale improvement. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs Knowledge of general outpatient clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment Ability to obtain, document and record demographic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate medical record Ability to use basic ophthalmic equipment Knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment. GS-07: Must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. Equivalent experience would include: operates and monitors commonly used equipment performing basic screening procedures; assists ophthalmology staff by obtaining an accurate medical and ophthalmic history; measuring and recording visual acuity; administering anesthetic eye drops; performing basic tonometry; estimating the anterior chamber depth and recording a simple spectacle reading through automated lensometry; deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, complex patients and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or assistance; some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures performed under supervision AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of anatomy and function of the eye and basic ocular pharmacology Knowledge of outpatient eye care policies and procedures in a health care environment Ability to use basic ophthalmic diagnostic equipment to perform preliminary ocular testing Ability to perform minor extraocular surgical assisting Ability to provide eye care patient education GS-08: Must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level. Examples of GS-07 level equivalent experience would include: triages patient phone calls or requests; ensures exam rooms are stocked with adequate supplies; instructs patients on administration of eye drops and post-operative instructions; accurately measures, compares, and evaluates pupillary responses; administers eye drops to dilate pupils; performs basic color vision screening; performs visual field testing (using Amsler grid or automated equipment): performs basic imaging testing such as corneal topography; external photography; performs basic ocular testing such as pachymetry, tear production with test strips, glare testing, stereo acuity, contrast sensitivity, potential acuity meter, measuring spectacles using both automated and manual lensometry and transposing cylinders: assists the ophthalmologist during minor ophthalmic surgical procedures and is adept at applying sterile technique and infection control procedures; performs autorefractor to determine spectacle prescription. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.