Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• 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: Citizenship: Must be a Citizen of the United States
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 38 U.S.C. 7407(d)
• Experience and Education: Experience: One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to nursing, medical assistant, or health technician
• OR 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
• OR 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
• 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
• or (c) Six months of experience in the health care field and completion of an independent study course in Ophthalmic Medical Assisting
• 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)
• 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)
• In addition to the Basic Requirements, applicants must meet the following: GS-8 Grade Requirements (Full Performance Level): Experience: Must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level
• Experience includes: Performing the following: triages patient phone calls or requests
• ensures exam rooms are stocked with adequate supplies
• instructs patients on administration of eye drops and post-operative instructions
• accurately measures, compares, and evaluates pupillary responses
• administers eye drops to dilate pupils
• performs basic color vision screening
• performs visual field testing (using Amsler grid or automated equipment)
• Performing basic imaging testing such as corneal topography
• external photography
• performing basic ocular testing such as pachymetry, tear production with test strips, glare testing, stereo acuity, contrast sensitivity, potential acuity meter, measuring spectacles using both automated and manual lensometry and transposing cylinders
• Assisting the ophthalmologist during minor ophthalmic surgical procedures and is adept at applying sterile technique and infection control procedures
• Performing autorefractor to determine spectacle prescription
• In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 1
• Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation
• 2
• Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens
• 3
• Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting
• 4
• Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology
• 5
• Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye
• 6
• Knowledge of optics
• and 7
• Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://department.va.gov/employees/va-qualifications-standards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.