Ophthalmic medical technicians assist ophthalmologists in eye care and must complete specialized training. There are three levels of certification, and duties include recording medical histories, administering medication, and performing general office tasks. Training programs last one to two years, and graduates can take the national certification exam. Technicians can work in private offices or healthcare facilities and may even assist with eye surgery if they become medical technologists.
Ophthalmic medical technicians are medical professionals who work with ophthalmologists called ophthalmologists. Medical technicians working in this field assist ophthalmologists in the field of ophthalmology. Anyone who wants to become an ophthalmic medical technician must first complete specialized training. A person who wants to become an ophthalmic medical technician must exhibit excellent customer service skills, possess in-depth knowledge of eye health, and work well with other medical professionals.
There are three levels of ophthalmic medical technicians. They include Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA), Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) and Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT). COAs are entry-level technicians, while COTs are intermediate-level assistants. The most advanced level is COMT. All three positions require technicians to pass a national certification exam.
A person who wants to become an ophthalmic medical technician will be responsible for a variety of duties. He can be expected to record patients’ medical histories and teach patients how to enter and care for contacts. Ophthalmic medical technicians may also be required to care for surgical equipment, administer medications to patients, and perform general office tasks.
Training programs for ophthalmic medical technicians typically last one to two years. Typical courses include classes in anatomy and physiology, eye diseases, eye anatomy and physiology, ophthalmic pharmacology, and ophthalmic surgical procedures. General courses such as psychology, medical terminology, medical ethics, and medical law may also be required. All future technicians must also successfully complete an internship that involves training with experienced eye care personnel.
Graduation from an accredited ophthalmic technician program allows graduates to take the national certification exam. The examinations are administered by the Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology. They can find entry-level positions in the ophthalmology field. Graduates can also pursue additional training by taking courses in ultrasound, surgical care, poor vision, and ophthalmic photography.
If someone wants to become an ophthalmic medical technician, they can expect to work in one of several environments. Medical technicians in this field may work in a private ophthalmologist’s office or in other health care facilities that require the services of an ophthalmologist. A typical day at work might include helping patients select eyeglass frames and teaching them how to care for contacts.
Medical technicians who receive additional training to become medical technologists can even help with eye surgery. They perform fluorescence angiography and clinical ophthalmic photography. Medical technologists are also qualified to perform electrophysiological and microbiological procedures. Because they are advanced medical assistants, they may be asked to supervise other ophthalmic medical technicians.
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