HEALTH TECHNICIAN (Ophthalmology)

This position serves to support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. They perform a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures, assisting during clinic-based surgical procedures, educating patients and legal representatives, and assisting with the education of medical students and residents.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties for this position may include (but are not limited to): Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments. Obtains patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit, pertinent signs and symptoms, current medication allergies; past medical history both ocular and general medical history; family history both ocular and general; social history; and review of medications and allergies, including current ocular prescription and nonprescription medications. Accurately tests visual acuity at distance and near with and without correction or with and without pinhole. Measures eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism in both plus and minus cylinder. Performs pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation. Performs swinging light test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect. Performs basic refractometry utilizing an autorefraction or habitual eyeglass prescription in the phoropter. Instills eye medications (drops or ointment, including anesthetic, dye, dilating drops, cycloplegic drops, or antibiotic). Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques, including Goldmann applanation tonometry. Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvature. Performs intra-ocular lens calculations using IOL Master or equivalent device. Performs automated visual field testing using various perimetry techniques. Performs external photographs and fundus photography. Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve. Performs patient screening and triage of potentially urgent ocular conditions. Assists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery, including revision of wounds, biopsies of eyelid lesions, cultures of conjunctiva or cornea; reformation of anterior chamber; evacuation of hyphema repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts; intravitreal injections; and laser procedures. Educates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care, including preoperative and postoperative instructions. Assists in the education and training of medical students, residents and fellows in those facilities with medical school affiliations. Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection, calibration maintenance, backup, annual inventory and ordering of instruments supplies and equipment; obtains quotes as needed; and reports needed to repairs to biomedical engineering. Performs other duties as necessary. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0800-1630 PM EST Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55544F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: 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. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.