Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

About the role

Ophthalmology Technicians in the Orlando VA Healthcare System support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow‑up care and patient counseling.

Qualifications

Applicants pending completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

• 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: Proficiency in basic written and spoken English required per 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Experience and Education – one of the following:
  • One year of experience in a health care field (e.g., nursing, medical assistant, health technician);
  • Two years above high school with a minimum of six semester hours directly related to a health care field or an associate’s degree in a health‑care related field;
  • Equivalent combination of experience and education (examples: six months health‑care experience + one year above high school; six months experience + completion of a health‑care technician course given by the U.S. Armed Forces; six months experience + completion of an independent study course in Ophthalmic Medical Assisting).
• Certification: Must be certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO).
• Foreign Education: Education completed outside the U.S. must be evaluated by a credential‑interpretation organization and deemed at least equivalent to U.S. programs.
• Grade Determinations (GS‑8): Requires one year of experience equivalent to the GS‑7 level and demonstrated 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.
• Preferred Experience: Certified COA/COT/COMT.
• Physical Requirements: Visual acuity, color discrimination, keen hearing, clear speech, above‑average manual dexterity; ability to walk, stand, kneel, sit, bend, pull, push moderately heavy objects, reach and stretch; lift/position/transfer patients and objects ≥45 lb; exposure to infectious/contagious materials, odors, requiring PPE; exposure to blood and potentially infectious body fluids; occasional exposure to combative patients; must be mature, flexible, sensible, able to work under stress and shift priorities; high physical energy and stamina; good strength and musculoskeletal function; highly refined dexterity for sophisticated equipment; excellent visual skills for evaluating clinical status.

Responsibilities

• Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments.
• Obtains patient physical history (chief complaint, reason for visit, pertinent signs/symptoms, current medication allergies,