Health Tech (Optometry)

Description:

This Health Technician (Optometry) position is in Optometry service at the Bedford VA Medical Center. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

Requirements:

Basic Requirements :

• United States Citizenship . Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency . Must be proficient in both spoken and written English.

Health Technician (Optometry), GS-07

• Experience. One year of experience comparable to the next lower level (GS-6) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA). In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Ability to determine preliminary objective estimate and/or refinement of the optical status of the eye, not to include the patient's final subjective refraction.
2. Ability to triage and manage eyeglasses issues (e.g., measurement of vertex distance, base curve, prism correction, center thickness, slab off, Fresnel prism, decentration, etc.).
3. Ability to perform accurate assessment of accommodation, near point of convergence and ocular alignment (far and near).
4. Ability to assist the eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with ophthalmic procedures.
5. Ability to assist with obtaining accurate ocular cultures and smears.
6. Knowledge and ability to provide advanced patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions.

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).

Preferred Experience:

• Prior eye clinic technician experience preferred.

References: Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G68.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent requires adequate manual dexterity and fine motor coordination to utilize some of the instrumentation. In addition, the incumbent may be required to transfer patients from a wheelchair to the examination chairs or seating in the testing areas. This position requires regular walking, sitting, standing and occasionally handling supply boxes of varying weights. It is not a sedentary position.