Optometry Health Technician

Quick Facts

• Role: Health Technician (Optometry)

• Schedule: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday–Friday

• Work mode: Not virtual

Description

The Optometry Health Technician performs complex but standard optometry optical duties, assists with diagnostic ophthalmic procedures, and provides patient education. The role includes optical dispensing and measurement work, and generating patient testing data for licensed eye care providers to use. The technician also supports clinical workflow, triages patient concerns, and documents results in the electronic health record.

Responsibilities

• Perform optical functions including spectacle fitting, ordering, adjustment, and repair; transpose plus/minus cylinder prescriptions

• Measure for frames and lenses (e.g., monovision, bifocal, trifocal, progressive addition) and coordinate with fabrication/prosthetics for orders and corrections

• Provide direct patient education and troubleshooting/verification of ophthalmic lenses and eyewear

• Educate patients on lens material, lens design, frames, tints, and coatings

• Assist with selecting and fitting standard and safety eyewear; adjust eyeglasses for comfort and proper optical center/segment height alignment

• Repair broken/defective eyeglasses and triage concerns using lensometry verification and troubleshooting

• Measure and record visual acuity and perform specialized visual acuity measurements

• Evaluate pupillary light responses, measure pupil size, assess fusion, and perform stereoacuity testing

• Administer Amsler grid testing; administer eye drops under supervision; perform basic tonometry and estimate anterior chamber depth

• Read spectacle prescriptions with lensometers; obtain autorefractometry and keratometry measurements; perform visual field and color vision testing

• Measure and record corneal thickness with pachymetry and perform advanced corneal/ocular measurements (exophthalmometry, tear testing, ocular imaging)

• Direct volunteers and optometry trainees for smooth clinical care flow and task completion

• Assist with Process Improvement and Quality Assurance reporting

• Support training/in-services on procedures and equipment operation/maintenance

• Assist with scheduling and document testing results in EHMR for co-signature

• Screen and triage potentially urgent ocular conditions and coordinate care between VA and Community Care Programs

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Comply with VA employment conditions, including urinalysis screening for testing-designated positions

• Selective Service Registration required for eligible males

• Complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification

• Seasonal influenza vaccination is required

• Complete a 1–2 year trial period with required certification to continue employment

• Meet qualification standards through relevant health technician/assistant experience and/or qualifying education in health technician/assistant or optometry-related technician/assistant programs