Website for Ophthalmic Technologist, Ophthalmic Tech Schools, Education, Employment, and Jobs

What is Ophthalmic Technologist?
An ophthalmic technologist or, OT, is also referred to as an ophthalmic technician. Basically you will assist an ophthalmologist, or eye doctor, in providing medical care for the eyes. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize not only in the medical but the surgical treatment of eye disorders, eye muscle exercises, vision measurements for glasses and the prevention of blindness.

Job Description for an Ophthalmic Technologist:
Here are some of the daily duties that you will perform as an ophthalmic technologist:

1. Obtain medical histories from patients
2. Measure and record vision
3. Provide contact lens education
4. Maintain optical and surgical instruments
5. Administer diagnostic tests
6. Test eye muscle function
7. Administer eye medication
8. Etc.

Because you are an ophthalmic medical technologist, you not only perform all of the duties that are performed by technicians, but since you have additional training, you will also have expanded responsibilities. You may also do the following tasks:

a. Assist the ophthalmologist in surgery
b. Perform ophthalmic clinical photography, electrophysiological and microbiological procedures and fluorescence angiography
c. Supervise other ophthalmic staff

How to Become an Ophthalmic Technologist:

You should have a diploma from an accredited high school or must possess a GED. In addition to that, you must have a CAAHEP-accredited OT program (this abbreviation stands for Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs). For assistants and technicians, this usually involves a 1-year certificate or diploma. If you plan on being an ophthalmic technologist, you should plan on getting a 2-year associate degree. You’ll take the following courses:

1. Anatomy and Physiology
2. Medical Laws and Ethics
3. Ocular Anatomy and Physiology
4. Microbiology
5. Ocular Motility
6. Medical Terminology
7. Psychology
8. Ophthalmic Optics
9. Ophthalmic Pharmacology and Toxicology
10. Diseases of the Eye

You will also be able to gain a lot of hands-on experience.

Certification for the Ophthalmic Technician and Technologist:
For this career, you should check with the regulation as they vary from state-to-state. It is highly recommended that you get your certification as most employers now days require it. You can become certified through the “Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology”, or JCAHPO. There is testing for three different levels for ophthalmic technologists and technicians:

• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) – this is the entry level position
• Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) – this is at the intermediate level
• Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) – this is at an advanced level

If you are going to want to pursue a subspecialty of ophthalmic surgical assisting, then you are going to have to be certified in one of the above core levels.

Ophthalmic Technologist Salary:
Ophthalmic tech’s make good money. The average salary is $47,000 per year. The ones with experience of 5 years or more make more money. This depends on your location, education, and level of responsibility.

Ophthalmic Technologist School:
If you're looking to become an OT, then visit the healthcare website to find the school in your area or online. You need to check them out. In as little as 12 months, you can be making the above pay. You can request for free no obligation information through this link.

Return from Ophthalmic Technologist to Medical Assistants Schools and Careers