Health Technician (Ophthalmology)
Company
Department of Veterans Affairs - Veterans Health Administration
Location
Alexandria, Minnesota Alexandria, Minnesota
Type
Full Time
Job Description
Summary
This position is located in Alexandria, MN under the St. Cloud VA. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) perform functions such as technical clinical care to patients who have received care provided by Ophthalmologists for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling.
Learn more about this agencyRequirements
Conditions of Employment
- 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.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- 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).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.
Education and Experience:
- 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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED).
- Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). 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.
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). NOTE: all certified applicants must provide proof of certification/ JCAHPO ID Number.
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.
Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been
submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational
credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional
U.S. programs.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
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).
Grade Determinations
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 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 (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate 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 (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate 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.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8.
Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
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Date Posted
06/11/2024
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5
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