Department: Department of Veterans Affairs
Location(s): San Antonio, Texas
Salary Range: $62629 - $81423 Per Year
Job Summary: Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. At the Advanced Level, Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs difficult ophthalmic technical duties with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. The higher-level duties consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety at least 25% of the time.
Major Duties:
Qualifications: Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and Education Experience. One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to nursing, medical assistant, or health technician. OR Education. Two years above high school with a minimum of six semester hours directly related to a health care field or associate's degree in a health care related degree. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Examples are listed below: (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Six months of experience in the health care field; and one year above high school; or Six months of experience in the health care field and successful completion of a course for health care technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or ophthalmology technicians given by the U.S. Armed Forces; or Six months of experience in the health care field and completion of an independent study course in Ophthalmic Medical Assisting. Certification. All applicants must be certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). (COPY OF CERTIFICATION REQUIRED) May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). All persons employed in VHA as a Health Technician (Ophthalmology) on the effective date of this qualification standard, February 7, 2018, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification requirements. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, I possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-8 grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. This includes: performing advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation, performing calculations for selection of itraocular lens, clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting, knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology, knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye, knowledge of optics, knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of advanced clinical optics, advanced ocular motility, advanced diagnostic testing, and microbiology testing; Knowledge of ophthalmic surgical instruments; Knowledge of appropriate preparatory cleaning of reusable medical equipment; and Ability to assist in ophthalmic surgical procedures performed in the main operation room. Preferred Experience: Must be proficient in all aspects of ophthalmic diagnostic imaging. Proficient in manifest refraction and retinoscopy. Experience in leadership Experience in presenting lectures. Experience in training Ophthalmic health technicians. Experience in maintaining and calibrating ophthalmic equipment. Minimal COA certification is required additional certifications will be considered a plus for this position example CRA, COMT, ROUB. Minimum 3 years experience performing imaging. 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-09. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 lbs.; light carrying, under 15 lbs.; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking 2 hours; standing 1 hour; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; specific visual requirement of DVA 20/40 Binoc; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); near visual correctable to Jaeger 1
How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/20/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12910831. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
Application Deadline: 2026-03-20