An ophthalmic technician is a trained health professional who assists an ophthalmologist in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and conditions. A technician works as part of a team in the delivery of eye care. He or she might be employed in a public clinic, hospital, academic medical center or private ophthalmic office.
People who work as ophthalmic technicians deal directly with patients, taking eye measurements and administering and evaluating diagnostic tests. They prepare patients to see the doctor, coordinate patient flow, record patient histories and explain treatment procedures. Techs administer eye medications, assist with eye surgery and carry out basic post-surgical follow-ups. An ophthalmic technician’s job description might also include providing contact lens care instructions and demonstrations.
Technicians are no longer restricted to being generalists in eye care. Careers in vision healthcare have expanded to meet the needs of the medical community. Subspecialties in the ophthalmic profession offer some interesting opportunities. There are certifications available in ophthalmic photography, ultrasound, surgical assisting and low vision. Ophthalmic technician jobs also exist in research, technical writing, clinic management, sales, training and consulting.
There are ophthalmic technician career programs available that offer a combination of classroom studies and on-site training at medical facilities. Some programs have Internet offerings. A prospective technician can choose to receive his or her education at a school of allied health or a vocational college, or he or she might land an on-the-job instructional opportunity. During training, students learn to use high-tech equipment and sophisticated instruments. Typically, ophthalmic technician programs are one to two years in length and offer rotations through various eye clinics.
Qualified students who meet admission standards have the option of completing a bachelor’s degree program at some of the large medical center teaching institutions. The other completion levels are an associate’s degree or a certificate. Continuing education classes are required to maintain certification.
Many ophthalmic technician training programs require a high school diploma, general equivalency diploma (GED) or a recognized equivalent for admission. Vocational colleges and certain other ophthalmic technician programs request high school transcripts and sometimes an interview as part of the enrollment process. Other institutions require candidates to pass an entrance exam or achieve a passing score on an approved test.