Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

Summary A Health Technician (Ophthalmology) supports eye-care providers by conducting basic diagnostic tests - gathering accurate patient information - and operating ophthalmic equipment. The technician prepares exam or telehealth rooms - assists with visual screenings and imaging - and helps maintain efficient clinic workflow to ensure high-quality patient care. Duties Clinical Responsibilities The GS-8 level (Full Performance Level) is the full performance level for this assignmentThe Health Technician (Ophthalmology) at this level performs a range of standard - but complex - diagnostic proceduresIn addition to the duties expected of the GS-7 level - the following clinical duties and responsibilities are expected at the GS-8 assignment: iChecks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instrumentsiiObtains patient physical history - to include chief complaintreason for visitpertinent signs and symptomscurrent medication allergiespast ocular and general medical history both ocular and generalfamily history both ocular and generalsocial historyand review of medications and allergies - including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medicationsiiiAccurately tests visual acuity at a distance and near - with and without correction or with and without a pinholeivMeasures eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer - recording sphere - cylinder - axis - and prism in both plus and minus cylindervPerforms pupil evaluation recording pupil size - shape - symmetry - reaction to light and accommodationPerforms swinging flashlight test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defectviPerforms basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropterviiInstills eye medications (drops or ointments - including anesthetic - dye - dilating drops - cycloplegic drops - or antibiotics)viiiMeasures intraocular pressure with standard techniques - including Goldmann applanation tonometryxPerforms pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvaturexPerforms intra-ocular lens calculations using an IOL Master or equivalent devicexiPerforms automated visual field testing using various perimetry machines xiiPerforms external photographs and fundus photographyxiiiPerforms optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment - retina and optic nervexivPerforms patient screening and triage of potentially urgent ocular conditionsxvAssists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery - including revision of wounds - biopsies of the eyelid lesions - cultures of conjunctiva - or corneareformation of anterior chamber - evacuation of hyphema - repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts - intra-vitreous injections - and laser surgical proceduresxviEducates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care - including preoperative and postoperative instructions xviiAssists in the education and training of medical students - residents and fellows in those facilities with medical school affiliationsxviiiEnsures proper cleaning and disinfectioncalibration - maintenance - backup - annual inventory and ordering of instruments - supplies and equipmentobtains quotes as neededand reports needed repairs to biomedical engineeringWork Schedule: Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency needTelework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 58627F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position: Not Authorized Functional Statement 58627F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized