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Position Title
Health Technician (Ophthalmology)
Agency
Veterans Health Administration
Announcement Number
CBTA-12723928-25-LP Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 to Monday, May 5, 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? (limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
2. 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. (limit characters)
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.
Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages or encrypted, and digitally signed documents linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications. (limit characters)
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). (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Health Technician (Ophthalmology) GS-640 position with the Veterans Health Administration.  Please 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. (limit characters)
Basic requirements:

Select "Yes" or "No" to the following question(s) (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
1. English Language Proficiency Requirement: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.

Are you proficient in spoken and written English? (limit characters)
2. Experience and Education. Select the appropriate answer based on your level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. (limit characters)
3. Certification. Are you certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO)?

NOTE: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements may be appointed as a graduate Health Technician (Ophthalmology) not to exceed 2 years, only for levels up to the GS-7. Failure to obtain COA certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment and may result in termination of employment. (limit characters)
4. Grade Specific Requirements

Select "Yes" or "No" to the following question(s). (limit characters)
5. GS-5 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Do you meet the experience for basic requirements as describe above? (limit characters)
6. GS-6 Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must also have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 level. Examples of the required experience for this position include: Assist the ophthalmology staff by obtaining an accurate medical and 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. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, complex patients and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or assistance. Some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures performed under supervision.
 
Do you meet the experience requirement as described above?
 (limit characters)
7. GS-6 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. At this level, candidates must also demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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;
  • Knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment.
Do you meet the KSAs as described above? (limit characters)
8. GS-7 Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must also have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 level. Examples of the required experience for this position include: Perfoming 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. 

Do you meet the experience requirement described above? (limit characters)
9. GS-7 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. At this level, candidates must also demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 KSAs as described above? (limit characters)
10. GS-8 Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must also have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 level. Examples of the required experience for this position include: performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures with responsibility for checking calibration of instruments prior to the procedure. Responsible for obtaining patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs/symptoms; past history both ocular and general; family history both ocular and general; social history; and review of medications and allergies, including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medications. Accurately tests visual acuity at distance and near, with and without correction or with and without a pinhole. Measures eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism in both plus and minus cylinder.

Do you meet the experience requirement described above? (limit characters)
11.
  • GS-8 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. At this level, candidates must also demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 KSAs as described above? (limit characters)
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