Health Technician (Optometry)

Optometry Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) perform technical clinical care to aid in the diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and counseling of patients who have received care provided by Optometrists or Ophthalmologists.

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Major duties include but are not limited to: Operates, calibrates, and monitors commonly used equipment performing basic screening procedures. Understands basic hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection of reusable medical equipment instruments and ophthalmic equipment. Obtains and documents accurate medical/ophthalmic history including: chief complaint, reason for visit, pertinent signs/symptoms, past ocular and general history, review of medications and allergies including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medications. Coding and entering eye testing performed on the encounter form. Measuring and recording visual acuity with and without correction (with use of pinhole testing as indicated). Obtaining accurate potential acuity meter, laser interferometry, contrast sensitivity, or other specialized visual acuity measurements. Evaluate pupillary light responses and measure pupil sizes, recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and any abnormalities including relative afferent pupillary defect. Determine the presence or absence of fusion and perform stereoacuity measurements. Perform Extraocular Motility testing. Performs Amsler grid testing. Administers eye medications/drops under the supervision of an eye care provider (Optometrist or Ophthalmologist). Performs basic tonometry (iCare, Goldmann). Estimates anterior chamber depth with a penlight or slit lamp Biomicroscope. Be skilled in properly reading a basic spectacle prescription using an automated or manual lensometer recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism. Obtains accurate autorefractometry and keratometry measurements. Performs confrontation and standard automated visual field testing. Administers and scores basic color vision tests (e.g. pseudoisochromatic plates, Farnsworth D-15). Adept at measuring and recording corneal thickness by pachymetry as well as performance of advanced corneal measurements including corneal topography. Measuring exophthalmometry. Performing tear testing. Performing ocular imaging (e.g. stereo fundus, basic slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular lensmaster measurements, ocular ultrasonography, posterior and anterior segment optical coherencetomography, fundus autofluorescence and/or ocular angiography). Performs A-scan measurement. Performs pre-operative and post-operative teaching with patients and families. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm 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.

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.