Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) perform functions such as technical clinical care to patients who have received care provided by Ophthalmologists for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling.
Duties include but not limited to: Measures and records visual acuity. Administers eye drops. Performing basic tonometry. Estimates the anterior chamber depth. Records a spectacle reading through automated lensometry. 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 basic visual field testing (using Amsler grid or automated equipment). Performs basic imaging testing such as corneal topography; external photography. Performs basic ocular testing such as pachymetry, tear production with test strips, glare testing, stereo acuity, potential acuity meter, measuring spectacles using both automated and manual lensometry and transposing cylinders.
Assists the ophthalmologist during minor ophthalmic surgical procedures and is adept at applying sterile technique and infection control procedures. Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter. Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments.
Obtains patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs and symptoms; current medication allergies; past ocular and general medical history both ocular and general; family history both ocular and general; social history; and review of medications and allergies, including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medications.
Accurately tests visual acuity at distance and near, with and without correction or with and without a pinhole. Measures eyeglass prescription using manual and/or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism in both plus and minus cylinder. Ordering, dispensing and troubleshooting spectacles. Performs pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation.
Performs swinging flashlight test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect. Performs manual refractometry and retinoscopy in plus and minus cylinder. Instills eye medications (drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilating drops, cycloplegic drops, or antibiotics). Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques, including Goldmann applanation tonometry.
Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvature. Performs intra-ocular lens calculations using an IOL Master and/or A-scan ultrasonography or equivalent device. Performs automated visual field testing using various perimetry machines. Performs external photographs and fundus photography. Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve.
Performs patient screening and triage of potentially urgent ocular conditions. Assists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery, including revision of wounds, biopsies of the eyelid lesions, cultures of conjunctiva, or cornea; reformation of anterior chamber, evacuation of hyphema, repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts, intra-vitreous injections, and laser surgical procedures.
Educates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care, including preoperative and postoperative instructions. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm; hours varies, intermittent work schedule, not to exceed 1 year Recruitment/or Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
sophia.whittick@va.gov · 813-442-3938
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $46989 – $83796/yr.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-11-05.
This is a Intermittent position.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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