Optometry Health Technician

Optometry Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) supports Optometrists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up, and patient counseling.
The Health Technician (Optometry) performs a range of standard, but complex, and diagnostic procedures.
The Health Technician (Optometry) may perform many "direct patient care services" under the supervision of Optometrists.
*Duties* The Health Technician- Optometry will respond to the needs of the staff optometrist or other designated administrative supervisor who will maintain daily supervision and guidance.
Independent work is an integral part of the position.
The technician plans and carries out examinations in line with training and accepted practices, and independently makes recommendations about clinical situations, procedures, or changes to procedures in some situations.
The providers must be able to accept the technician's assessment without rechecking the work.
The technician uses methods, recognizes conditions that cause erroneous results or creates dangerous situations, and may independently troubleshoot clinic problems and complex instruments.
The technician resolves most differences that arise with patients, coordinates work with others as necessary and interprets policy such is eligibility for prosthetic devices.
The optometry technician is ultimately responsible to the Associate Chief of Specialty Care.
*Clinical Duties:* * Checks and performs calibration of technical optometric screening instruments.
* Triages and manage eyeglass issues.
* Triages and manage optometry clinic issues (measurement of vertex distance, base curve, prism correction, center thickness, slab off, Fresnel prism, decentration, etc.
) * Instills eye drops under the supervision of an optometrist.
* Verifies eyeglasses, as well as shapes or performs minor repairs as needed.
* Measures and accurately records visual acuity.
* Accurately assesses accommodation, near point of convergence, and ocular alignment.
* Determines a preliminary objective estimate of optical status of the eye (not to include final subjective refraction) * Accurately evaluate pupillary light responses and measure pupil size * Performs Amsler grid testing.
* Performs basic tonometry.
* Estimates anterior chamber depth using a penlight or slit lamp biomicroscope.
* Performs and obtain accurate auto-refraction/keratometry measurements.
* Performs visual field testing and basic color vision testing.
* Performs depth perception testing.
* Performs external photographs and fundus photography.
* Measures and records corneal thickness, Ex ophthalmometry, tear testing, and ocular imaging.
* Performs retinal imaging.
* Performs optical coherence tomography of the anterior segment, retina, and optic nerve.
* Performs patient screening and triage of potentially urgent ocular conditions.
* Enters all consults to orders eyeglasses from Prosthetics to include local and community care orders.
* Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection, calibration, and maintenance of ophthalmic equipment.
* Assists with ophthalmic procedures performed by optometrist.
* Provides advanced patient education for eye and/or vision conditions.
*Administrative Responsibilities:* * Assists with management of optometry clinic operations.
* Acts as a liaison for the optometry clinic with Veterans and other service lines.
* Maximizes clinic function.
* Participates in completing projects to improve care or clinic function as assigned.
* Orders supplies and equipment, obtains quotes as needed.
* Assists with annual inventory.
* Reports needed repairs to biomedical engineering.
* Communicates with patients via phone and secure messaging.
* Manages voicemails, secure messaging, and faxes.
* Utilizes electronic health records for documenting Veteran care and workload capture.
*Quality Management Responsibility:* * Prepares and readies clinics for inspections.
* Completes required training and other required trainings assigned by Supervisor.
* Participates as requested in addressing related complaints/issues.
Job Type: Part-time Pay: $17,686.
00 - $31,966.
00 per year Benefits: * 401(k) * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Employee assistance program * Flexible schedule * Flexible spending account * Health insurance * Health savings account * Life insurance * Paid time off * Parental leave * Professional development assistance * Retirement plan * Vision insurance Schedule: * 8 hour shift People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply Work Location: In person