Health Technician; Ophthalmology

Summary

Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis - treatment - prevention - follow-up care and patient counseling.

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.

• 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:
  Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• 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
• (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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
• (High School Diploma or Transcript Required) 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
• (Copy of Course Completion Required) or (c) Six months of experience in the health care field and completion of an independent study course in Ophthalmic Medical Assisting
• (Copy of Completion of Independent study Course Required) 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)
• 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 (GS 05 - 06 - 07)
• For grade levels at or above the full performance level (GS 08 and above) 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
• Failure to Obtain Certification
• In all cases - the Health Technician (Ophthalmology) must actively pursue meeting certification requirements starting from the date of appointment
• At the time of appointment - the supervisor will provide the uncertified Health Technician (Ophthalmology) with the written requirement to obtain certification - the date by which the certification must be acquired - and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline
• Failure to become certified within two years from date of appointment will result in removal from the Health Technician (Ophthalmology) - GS-0640 series and may result in termination of employment
• 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 Determinations:
  In addition to the basic requirements for employment as mentioned above - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS 05 (Entry Level) (a) Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (b) Assignment
• Employees at this grade level serve in a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) entry level position and are trainee in nature
• The entry level performs limited routine assignments under daily direct supervision
• Deviations from unanticipated problems and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a…