Health Tech Ophthalmology-OCA

SummaryOphthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis - treatment - prevention - follow-up care and patient counseling. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs a range of standard - but complex - diagnostic procedures - assists during clinic-based surgical procedures - educates patients and legal representatives - assists with the education of medical students and residents.DutiesThis position is at the West Palm Beach VAMCThe technician will work independently seeing patients and performing a history - lensometry - refraction - tonometry - and non mydriatic photosThis data will then be uploaded and then reviewed and finalized by a provider (MD or OD) asynchronously along with glasses prescription dispositionDuties and responsibilities include - but not limited to: Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instrumentsObtains patient physical history - to include chief complaintreason for visitpertinent signs and symptomscurrent medication allergiespast ocular and general medical history both ocular and generalfamily history both ocular and generalsocial historyand review of medications and allergies - including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medicationsAccurately tests visual acuity at distance and near - with and without correction or with and without a pinholeMeasures eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer - recording sphere - cylinder - axis - and prism in both plus and minus cylinderPerforms pupil evaluation recording pupil size - shape - symmetry - reaction to light and accommodationPerforms swinging flashlight test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defectPerforms basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropterMust be competent at distance and near refractions and complex refractionsInstills eye medications (drops or ointments - including anesthetic - dye - dilating drops - cycloplegic drops - or antibiotics)Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques - including Goldmann applanation tonometryPerforms pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvaturePerforms intra-ocular lens calculations using an IOL Master or equivalent devicePerforms automated visual field testing using various perimetry machinesPerforms external photographs and fundus photographyPerforms optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment - retina and optic nervePerforms patient screening and triage of potentially urgent ocular conditionsAssists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery - including revision of wounds - biopsies of the eyelid lesions - cultures of conjunctiva - or corneareformation of anterior chamber - evacuation of hyphema - repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts - intra-vitreous injections - and laser surgical proceduresEducates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care - including preoperative and postoperative instructionsAssists in the education and training of medical students - residents and fellows in those facilities with medical school affiliationsEnsures proper cleaning and disinfectioncalibration - maintenance - backup - annual inventory and ordering of instruments - supplies and equipmentobtains quotes as neededand reports needed repairs to biomedical engineeringAble to work independently to do basic exam- including refraction - tonometry and non mydriatic photosWork Schedule: Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required