Description:
The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System, Surgical Care service, is currently recruiting for a Health Technician ( Ophthalmology) at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. The Health Technicians of Ophthalmology assists Ophthalmologists in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.Requirements:
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 :
Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g.
English Language Proficiency : Health Technicians ( Ophthalmology) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402 9d) and 38 U.S.C 7407(d).
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;
- 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;
- Experience/Education Combination . Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below:
- Six months of experience in the health care field; and one year above high school; or
- 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
- 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 examination for a Health Technician (Ophthalmology).
- 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 or above the full performance level 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.
Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-5 (Entry Level)
- Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
- 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:
- 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; and
- Knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment.
- 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:
- 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; and
- Ability to provide eye care patient education.
- 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:
- 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; and
- Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment.
Preferred Experience: 1 year experience as an Ophthalmology Technician, certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA), IOL - Intraocular Lens Biometry experience, Fluorescein Angiography experience.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .
Physical Requirements: 20/40 or better vision in one or both eyes, use of both upper extremities Use of both lower extremities, dexterity to handle small instruments, ability to lift 20 lbs.
Feb 18, 2026;
from:
usajobs.gov