- Position Title
- Health Technician (Ophthalmology)
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBTF-12703771-25-CT Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, March 6, 2025 to Monday, April 7, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
Preferences
1.
Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
Your resume must be submitted in English and include the following information for each job listed:
- Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
- Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
- Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
- Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
- Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
2.
Applicants are required to undergo and successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening test and must submit to random drug testing after employment. Will you comply with this requirement?
3.
In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Are you proficient in basic written and spoken English?
If you are basing your qualifications on education (or a combination of education and experience) or if the position requires a college education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Health Technician (Ophthalmology) position with the VA Capitol Martinsburg Medical Center. Select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
Are you proficient in spoken and written English?
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).
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).
Health Technician (Ophthalmology) Basic Qualification Requirements
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
2.
Education and Experience.
Do you meet the basic education/experience requirements as described above? (Note: Applicants must demonstrate above requirements in their application with supporting documentation.)
- 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:
- 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.
Do you meet the basic education/experience requirements as described above? (Note: Applicants must demonstrate above requirements in their application with supporting documentation.)
3.
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.
Do you meet the above certification requirement or certification exception as described above?
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.
Do you meet the above certification requirement or certification exception as described above?
Grade Level Requirements- Please select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your background and experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
4.
Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-6 (Developmental Level 1)
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. GS-5 experience includes: 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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
Do you meet the qualification requirements as described above to qualify for the GS-6 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) position? (Note: Applicant must demonstrate above requirements in their application with supporting documentation.)
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. GS-5 experience includes: 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.
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 health 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 on non-critical reusable medical equipment.
Do you meet the qualification requirements as described above to qualify for the GS-6 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) position? (Note: Applicant must demonstrate above requirements in their application with supporting documentation.)
5.
Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-7 (Developmental Level 2)
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. GS-6 experience includes: Operates and monitors commonly used equipment performing basic screening procedures. Assists ophthalmology staff by obtaining an accurate medical 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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
Do you meet the qualification requirements as described above to qualify for the GS-7 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) position? (Note: Applicant must demonstrate above requirements in their application with supporting documentation.)
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. GS-6 experience includes: Operates and monitors commonly used equipment performing basic screening procedures. Assists ophthalmology staff by obtaining an accurate medical 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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 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.
Do you meet the qualification requirements as described above to qualify for the GS-7 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) position? (Note: Applicant must demonstrate above requirements in their application with supporting documentation.)
6.
Health Technician (Ophthalmology) GS-8 (Full Performance Level)
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. GS-7 experience includes: Performs the following: 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. The employee 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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
Do you meet the qualification requirements as described above to qualify for the GS-8 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) position? (Note: Applicant must demonstrate above requirements in their application with supporting documentation.)
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. GS-7 experience includes: Performs the following: 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. The employee 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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 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.
Do you meet the qualification requirements as described above to qualify for the GS-8 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) position? (Note: Applicant must demonstrate above requirements in their application with supporting documentation.)
RESUME REMINDER: Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
- Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
- Month & year start/end dates (e.g., June 2017 to April 2018)
- Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)