The incumbent is responsible for providing Health Technician Optometry care to Veterans in Leavenworth. The Optometry Health Technician assists the Optometrist and Ophthalmologist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. The following are requirements for appointment as a Health Technician (Optometry) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). 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. One year of experience as a health technician or assistant in the health care field demonstrating the applicant's ability to perform the work or by demonstrating a basic understanding of work in the health care field English Language Proficiency. Health Technician (Optometry) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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 Determination for GS-07 Experience: One year of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: a) Ability to determine preliminary objective estimate and/or refinement of the optical status of the eye, not to include the patient's final subjective refraction. b) Ability to triage and manage eyeglasses issues (e.g., measurement of vertex distance, base curve, prism correction, center thickness, slab off, Fresnel prism, decentration, etc.). c) Ability to perform accurate assessment of accommodation, near point of convergence and ocular alignment (far and near). d) Ability to assist the eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) with ophthalmic procedures. e) Ability to assist with obtaining accurate ocular cultures and smears. f) Knowledge and ability to provide advanced patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions. Assignment. Employee at this grade level serves as a full performance level health technician (optometry). The technicians perform duties such as measuring and recording visual acuity (with use of pinhole testing as indicated), obtaining accurate potential acuity meter, laser interferometry, contrast sensitivity or other specialized visual acuity measurements. The technicians also evaluate pupillary light responses and measure pupil size, determine the presence or absence of fusion and perform stereoacuity measurements. The health technicians (optometry) perform Amsler grid testing, administer eye drops under the supervision of an eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist), perform basic tonometry (e.g., non-contact, Goldmann, Tono-Pen) and estimate the anterior chamber depth with a penlight or slit lamp biomicroscope. The technicians are skilled in properly reading a basic spectacle prescription using an automated or manual lensometer, obtaining accurate autorefractometry and keratometry measurements, performing confrontation and standard automated visual field testing and administering and scoring basic color vision tests (e.g., pseudoischromatic plates, Farnsworth D-15). The technicians are also adept at measuring and recording corneal thickness by pachymetry as well as performance of advanced corneal measurements, exophthalmometry, tear testing and ocular imaging (e.g., stereo fundus, basic slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular lens master measurements, ocular ultrasonography, posterior segment optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence and/or ocular angiography). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Reference VA Handbook 5019. **This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.** ["VAEKHCS is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. Duties: Receives and prepares patients for Optometric services and optical dispensing. Interviews patients and records health history and other appropriate findings. Performs simple repairs of damaged or broken frames. Maintains a number of recurring reports, including those concerning patients, materials, and equipment. Performs filing, computer operation, telephone receptionist duties, and record keeping duties. Functions: Customer Service- Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handle conflict and problems in dealing with customers constructively and appropriately. Clinical Skills- Obtain and record patient information in electronic medical records. Use of automated refraction equipment. Use of basic eye clinic equipment such as sip lamp, projectors, hand-held instruments, keratometer, etc. Use of tonometry instruments. Complete ophthalamic history of patient; chief complaints; recent illness. Obtain vital signs; obtain visual acuity and records results in patient chart. Obtain refractions. Assists physician by performing tests and/or prepare for procedure. Optical Duties and Responsibilities- Analyze glasses prescriptions and determines optical power of patient's present lenses. Measure and record intraocular (eye) pressure. Administer ophthalmic medications and eye drops. Test patient's visual field and perform measurements. Assist with fitting and care of contact lenses. ADP Security- Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, HIPPA and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statues and policy and VHA policy. Protects data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletions. Follows applicable regulation, and instruction regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access agreement that the employee signs. Age-Specific Criteria- Clinical duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, e.g., wheelchair-bound patients. There are also extensive periods of regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing and reaching. Various equipment items and some heavy objects (e.g., instrument trays, boxes of supplies or medications or patient charts) must also be moved or relocated. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]

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