Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

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. 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) Experience and Education. One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to nursing, medical assistant, or health technician; OR 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 Equivalent combinations of experience and education listed above. 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). Loss of Credentials. A Health Technician (Ophthalmology) who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 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). Grade DeterminationsGS-8: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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; and Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment. References: See VA Handbook 5005/98, PART II APPENDIX G52 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) Qualification Standard
The incumbent provides care within the Ophthalmology within VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS). The incumbent performs technical work, medical in nature, under the guidance of the Section Chiefs of Ophthalmology and Optometry and attending ophthalmologists and optometrists.