Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration perform functions such as technical clinical care to patients who have received care provided by Ophthalmologists/Optometrists for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. The Technician performs screening procedures such as patient history, pupil responses, visual acuity, and color vision testing.
Technicians may analyze lens prescriptions, and fit eyeglasses and/or complex optical devices.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Clinical Duties Performs diagnostic ophthalmic/optometric testing with minimal oversight. Ensures accuracy and reliability of clinical imaging and diagnostic data. Supports ophthalmologists and optometrists during patient evaluation and clinical procedures. Provides mentoring, hands-on instruction, and assesses competency and competency reinforcement for technicians, students, and trainees.
Checks and perform 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 medication 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 or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism in both plus and minus cylinder. Performs pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation. Performs swinging flashlight test to detect a relatively different pupillary defect.
Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter. 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 or Lens Star or equivalent device. Assists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery, including, for example, revision of wounds, biopsies of the eyelid lesions, cultures of conjunctiva, or cornea; reformation of anterior chamber, evacuation of hyphemia, repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts, intra-vitreous injections, and laser surgical procedures.
Work Assignments Reassesses workload based on patient volume, staffing needs, provider schedules, and urgency of care. Adjusts assignments during call-outs or high-demand periods to maintain smooth clinic operations. Responsible for health technician training on clinical reminders and regularly monitors compliance to ensure adherence to established protocols. Monitors patient throughput, wait times, and room utilization.
Identifies and resolves bottlenecks to ensure efficient patient movement and minimal delays.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:45pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): 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).
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 Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
****Qualifications continued*** Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvature. Performs intra-ocular lens calculations using the IOL Master. Performs automated visual field testing using various perimetry machines. Performance of external photographs and fundus photography. Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve.
Performs patient screening and triage emergencies identifying ocular emergencies. Performs patient screening and telephone triage for immediate care. 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. Assists in the education and training of medical students, residents and fellows in those facilities with medical school affiliations.
Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection; calibration, maintenance, backup, annual inventory and ordering of instruments, supplies and equipment; obtains quotes as needed; and reports needed repairs to biomedical engineering. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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 Preferred Experience: Optometry and Ophthalmology experience, VHA preferred Experience with clinical laboratory data and ophthalmic medications Experience with IOL calculations/biometry, surgical assisting, and advanced imaging (OCT, corneal topography, visual fields) Experience in high-volume Ophthalmology or Optometry clinic Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-08. If you are basing any part of your qualifications on Education, you MUST submit a transcript. 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/.
Note: If your school, has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $40736 – $72644/yr.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-09-14.
This position is open under the 'Fed Competitive' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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