How to Be Ophthalmic Medical Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 16, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Ophthalmic medical technicians are highly skilled health care professionals that provide support to optometrists, ophthalmologists, and other eye care specialists. They assist in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases of the eye. Through their specialized knowledge and skills, ophthalmic medical technicians can help improve patient outcomes and increase the efficiency of eye care practices.

By performing visual field testing, administering eye drops, measuring intraocular pressure, and operating diagnostic equipment, they play an important role in the overall health of the eyes. they often take part in patient education, providing instruction on how to use contact lenses and other vision aids. With their expertise, ophthalmic medical technicians are essential to ensuring that patients receive the best possible eye care.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent GED. Most employers require potential ophthalmic medical technicians to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete an ophthalmic medical technician training program. In most cases, ophthalmic medical technicians need to complete a training program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ophthalmic Medical Programs (COA).
Get certified. Most states require ophthalmic medical technicians to be certified by either the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) or the American Board of Ophthalmic Medical Technology (ABOMT).
Find a job. Ophthalmic medical technicians can find jobs in hospitals, eye clinics, and doctor's offices. They may also be employed by vision centers or optical shops.
Continue your education. Ophthalmic medical technicians can pursue continuing education courses to stay up to date on the latest techniques and technologies in the field.

When seeking a reliable and qualified Ophthalmic Medical Technician, it is important to consider several factors. The experience level of the technician is a significant factor, as experienced technicians are more likely to be knowledgeable and effective in their field. Furthermore, certifications and licenses from the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) can provide additional assurance that the technician is well-qualified.

communication skills and interpersonal relationships with patients can be important, as an effective technician will be able to communicate information clearly and build trust with patients. taking all of these aspects into account when selecting an ophthalmic medical technician can help ensure a successful and satisfactory experience.

You may want to check Optician, Eye Bank Technician, and Eye Care Administrator for alternative.

Job Description

Perform comprehensive ophthalmic examinations such as refractions, intraocular pressure measurements, slit-lamp examinations and fundus examinations.
Assist ophthalmologist in ophthalmic surgical procedures such as cataract, glaucoma and laser treatments.
Take patient histories and perform preliminary vision tests.
Evaluate visual acuity and perform retinoscopy, auto-refraction and keratometry measurements.
Administer diagnostic and therapeutic drugs under the direction of the doctor.
Provide patient instruction and education on contact lens application and use, as well as other eye care topics.
Fit and dispense contact lenses and eyeglasses, as well as teach patients how to use them properly.
Collaborate with other health care professionals to provide quality patient care.
Maintain patient records, including medical and billing information.
Order, stock, and maintain inventory of ophthalmic supplies and equipment.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to eye care
Comprehensive knowledge of ophthalmic instruments and equipment
Ability to perform ophthalmic tests, such as visual acuity, refraction and tonometry
Knowledge of eye diseases and treatments
Ability to accurately record patient data
Ability to maintain patient records
Ability to provide patient education and counseling
Ability to work as part of an eye care team
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to maintain a clean, organized and safe working environment
Knowledge of safety protocols
Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations
Knowledge of coding and billing procedures

Being an Ophthalmic Medical Technician requires a variety of skills, but the most important skill is the ability to accurately interpret ophthalmic data. This means being able to correctly read and assess a patients medical history, perform tests to diagnose eye diseases, and accurately interpret the results. In order to effectively interpret data, an Ophthalmic Medical Technician must possess strong knowledge of anatomy and physiology, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and strong organizational and time management skills.

This skill set enables them to accurately assess a patients condition and make the appropriate decisions on how to best treat the issue. Furthermore, these skills allow a technician to work with other medical personnel to ensure the patient gets the best possible care. Without the ability to interpret ophthalmic data accurately, it would be difficult for a technician to properly diagnose and treat eye diseases.

Refractionist, Clinical Research Coordinator, and Low Vision Therapist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have as an ophthalmic medical technician?
How do you stay up to date with the latest developments in ophthalmology?
What do you find most rewarding about your work as an ophthalmic medical technician?
What challenges have you faced in the past when it comes to performing eye exams?
How do you ensure accuracy when recording patient information?
What techniques do you use to keep patients calm during eye examinations?
Describe a time when you had to troubleshoot an issue with ophthalmic equipment.
Describe a difficult ethical or moral dilemma you faced while performing patient care.
How do you handle difficult situations with patients or their families?
What experience do you have in teaching other medical professionals about ophthalmology?

Common Tools in Industry

Retinoscope. A handheld device used to measure the refractive state of the eye. (eg: Retinomax Autorefractor)
Ophthalmoscope. An instrument used to examine the inside of the eye, including the retina and optic nerve. (eg: Welch Allyn PanOptic Ophthalmoscope)
Tonometer. A device used to measure intraocular pressure. (eg: Tono-Pen AVIA Ocular Tonometer)
Slit Lamp. An instrument used to examine the structures at the front of the eye. (eg: Haag-Streit BQ 900 slit lamp)
Visual Acuity Chart. Used to measure the sharpness of a patient's vision. (eg: Snellen Chart)
Keratometer. A device used to measure the curvature of the cornea. (eg: Topcon KR-8100P Keratometer)
Refractor. A device used to determine a patient's eyeglass prescription. (eg: Topcon KR-8000 Autorefractor)
Ophthalmic Ultrasound. Used to examine the internal structures of the eye. (eg: Accutome UBM-6000 Ultrasound System)
Visual Field Analyzer. Used to analyze a patient's peripheral vision. (eg: Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer)
Ophthalmic Laser. Used for surgical and therapeutic treatments. (eg: NIDEK ARK-500 Argon Laser System)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Association of Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (AAOMP)
American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry (ABCMO)
American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (ASORN)
Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (ATPO)
National Alliance of Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR)
National Board for Certification of Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (NBCOPMP)
Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company (OMIC)
Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO)
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)

We also have Ocularist, Glaucoma Specialist, and Contact Lens Technician jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Ophthalmology. The branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the eye.
Ophthalmologist. A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the eye.
Optometrist. A healthcare professional who specializes in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of vision disorders and eye diseases.
Optician. A healthcare professional who specializes in the fitting and dispensing of eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other eyewear.
Ocular Anatomy. The study of the anatomy of the eye and its associated structures.
Ocular Physiology. The study of the physiology of the eye and its associated structures.
Refraction. The process of measuring the power of lenses to correct vision problems.
Visual Acuity. The ability to distinguish details of an object or image at a given distance.
Color Vision. The ability to distinguish the different hues of an image or object.
Ophthalmic Medical Assistant. A healthcare professional who assists an ophthalmologist with patient care, including preparing for procedures, assisting with examinations, and performing administrative duties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Ophthalmic Medical Technician?

An Ophthalmic Medical Technician (OMT) is a healthcare professional who works with an ophthalmologist or optometrist to provide patient care and help diagnose and treat eye diseases.

What kind of tasks do OMTs perform?

OMTs perform a variety of tasks, including conducting eye examinations and testing, diagnosing and treating eye diseases, educating patients on proper eye care, and assisting in surgery.

What qualifications do OMTs need?

OMTs need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and may choose to pursue further education or certification in the field. Most states also require OMTs to be licensed or certified.