Health Technician (Ophthalmology), Advanced Level

Qualifications Basic Requirements:Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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). Experience and Education (1) Experience.

One year of experience in a health care field, such as, but not limited to, nursing, medical assistant, or health technician. OR (2) 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 field. OR (3) 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. 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 for a Health Technician (Ophthalmology).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). Grandfathering Provision.

All persons employed in VHA as a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including certification requirements.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:(1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.(2) Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) who were appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.(3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of the qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.(4) Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

01Grade Determinations

Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-9 (Advanced Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-8 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of advanced clinical optics, advanced ocular motility, advanced diagnostic testing, and microbiology testing; Knowledge of ophthalmic surgical instruments; Knowledge of appropriate preparatory cleaning of reusable medical equipment; and Ability to assist in ophthalmic surgical procedures performed in the main operation room.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy is GS-9.

02Physical Requirements

See Handbook 5019.

Major duties may include, but are not limited to: The Advanced Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs the complete range of clinical functions at the full performance level and extends significantly beyond that foundation in both technical complexity and clinical independence.

At this level, the technician does not simply execute standard protocols; rather, the technician applies advanced technical knowledge to adapt testing methodologies, troubleshoot equipment and clinical anomalies in real time, and generate clinically reliable data from patients whose conditions present diagnostic challenges. A defining feature of the advanced assignment is the technician's role in complex refractive assessment.

The technician performs objective refractometry using retinoscopy to determine spectacle prescriptions, including cases requiring prism correction for patients with strabismus or binocular vision disorders. The technician measures eyeglass prescriptions using a manual lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism values while identifying optical abnormalities that may affect visual correction.

The technician independently performs tangent screen testing and demonstrates proficiency in the assessment and interpretation of isopter responses, a task that is substantially more demanding than automated perimetry. Pupil evaluation is performed in detail, including documentation of size, shape, symmetry, direct and consensual light reflexes, near response, and the detection of a relative afferent pupillary defect, a finding with significant neurologic and ophthalmologic implications.

Intraocular pressure is measured using Goldmann applanation tonometry in addition to noncontact methods, requiring technical skill and proper calibration to produce accurate readings. The advanced technician participates in surgical support both in the outpatient clinic and the main operating room. In the clinic, the technician assists during laser procedures and intravitreal injections by preparing the treatment area, ensuring sterile conditions, and monitoring the patient throughout the procedure.

The advanced technician also assists with microbiologic workups for patients with sight-threatening ocular infections, preparing instruments and culture media for intraocular biopsy or culture collection. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday | 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized.

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Appointment Above Minimum Rate).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Ad-hoc.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:62399F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.