Health Technician (Optometry)

Health technicians (optometry) at this level assist with ophthalmic procedures performed by eye care providers (optometrists and ophthalmologists) and provide advanced patient education for eye and/or vision conditions. Some duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Accurately evaluate pupillary light responses and measure pupil size
• Perform Amsler grid testing
• Administer eye drops under the supervision of an eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) Perform basic tonometry
• Estimate anterior chamber depth using a penlight or slit lamp biomicroscope
• Obtain spectacle prescription using a lensometer
• Obtain accurate autorefractometry and keratometry measurements
• Perform visual field testing and basic color vision testing; measure and record corneal thickness, exophthalmometry, tear testing, and ocular imaging; and triage and manage eyeglasses issues

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Health Technician (Optometry),GS-5
(a) Knowledge of basic eye anatomy and function.
(b) Ability to obtain, document and record ophthalmic and medical information from patients in order to develop an accurate electronic progress note.(c) Ability to practice basic hygiene and infection control in a patient care setting.
(d) Ability to follow eye clinic and patient care medical policies and procedures.(e) Ability to perform minor eyeglasses repairs, such as replacing nose pads and screws.
Health Technician (Optometry),GS-6
(a) Ability to provide patient education for eye health and/or vision conditions, to include assisting with patient contact lens insertion, removal and hygiene (cleaning and disinfection) care.
(b) Ability to accurately enter into a phoropter the autorefractometry or habitual refractive prescription (i.e., eyeglasses prescription) or lensometer findings, including sphere, cylinder and axis.
(c) Ability to perform patient spectacle fitting and dispensing, including selection of appropriate frame, ophthalmic lenses, interpupillary measurements (distance and near) and proper segment height determination, as well as the ability to transpose sphere, cylinder and axis.
(d) Ability to provide basic triage of patient telephone calls or optometry requests.
(e) Knowledge of ophthalmic medications and supplies needed in the process of restocking the eye clinic exam rooms.
Health Technician (Optometry),GS-7
(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

Work Schedule: 8:30 AM - 5:00PM, Monday through Friday
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not Available
Functional Statement #:92494
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Starting at $35,373 Per Year (GS 4-7)