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This position is located under the department of Ophthalmology at the San Francisco Veteran's Affairs Medical Center or a Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). The primary purpose is to service as health technician and administrative assistant for the staff Optometrists/Ophthalmologists within the Surgery Service, Ophthalmology, performing a variety of health care and administrative duties that are directly related to the position. Applicants pending the completion of educational, or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. Experience and Education (1) Experience. One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to nursing, medical assistant, or health technician. OR, (2) 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, (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below: (a) Six months of experience in the health care field; and one year above high school; or (b) 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 (c) 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). 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). For grade levels at or above the full performance level the candidate must be certified. Failure to obtain COA certification may result in termination of employment. Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, the Health Technician (Ophthalmology) must actively pursue meeting certification requirements. Failure to become certified within two years from date of appointment will result in termination of employment. Loss of Credentials. Failure to maintain credentials may also result in termination of employment. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification requirements. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Such emplyees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Health Technicians (Ophthalmlogy) who were appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) Emplyees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of the qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) Health Technicians (Ophthalmlogy) who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. 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. 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 REQUIREMENTS: Creditable Experience. (1) Knowledge of Current Health Technician (Ophthalmology) Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with a health care field or knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the current occupation. (2) Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to Health Technician (Ophthalmology) experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. (1) Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-5 (a) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-6 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 all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of general outpatient clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment. 2. Ability to obtain, document and record demographic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate medical record. 3. Ability to use basic ophthalmic equipment; and 4. Knowledge of basic disinfection of non-critical reusable medical equipment. Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-7 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of anatomy and function of the eye and basic ocular pharmacology. 2. Knowledge of outpatient eye care policies and procedures in a health care environment. 3. Ability to use basic ophthalmic diagnostic equipment to perform preliminary ocular testing. 4. Ability to perform minor extraocular surgical assisting; and 5. Ability to provide eye care patient education. Health Technician (Ophthalmology), GS-8 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation; 2. Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens; 3. Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting; 4. Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology; 5. Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye; 6. Knowledge of optics; and 7. Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/98 PART II APPENDIX G52, February 7, 2018 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-5 to GS-8. Physical Requirements. If selected, you will be required to pass a pre-employment physical exam. ["GS-5 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) At this level, the incumbent is learning routine assignments as a trainee and will be under daily direct supervision. FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES (MAJOR DUTIES): Collaborates and assists members of the health care team in data collection, administrative duties, and general care for patients ranging in age from 18 to geriatric. Information is used for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient condition and care. GS-6 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) At this level, the incumbent will be given increasing responsibility and training to proceed to the next performance level. In addition to the duties expected at the GS-5 level, the following clinical duties and responsibilities are expected at the GS-6 level: FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES (MAJOR DUTIES): Collaborates and assists members of the health care team in data collection, visual screening (near vision, distant vision, condition of the pupil and intraocular pressure), and general care for patients ranging in age from 18 to geriatric. Information is used for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient condition and care. GS-7 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) At this level, the incumbent will be given increasing responsibility and training to proceed to the full performance level. In addition to the duties expected at the GS-6 level, the following clinical duties and responsibilities are expected at the GS-7 level: FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES (MAJOR DUTIES): Collaborates and assists members of the health care team in data collection, visual screening (near vision, distant vision, condition of the pupil and intraocular pressure), and general care for patients ranging in age from 18 to geriatric. Information is used for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient condition and care. GS-8 Health Technician (Ophthalmology) At this level, the incumbent will be given increasing responsibility and training to proceed to the full performance level. In addition to the duties expected at the GS-7 level, the following clinical duties and responsibilities are expected at the GS-8 level: FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES (MAJOR DUTIES): Collaborates and assists members of the health care team in data collection, visual screening (near vision, distant vision, condition of the pupil and intraocular pressure), and general care for patients ranging in age from 18 to geriatric. Information is used to assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient condition and care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Recruitment Incentive: Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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