How to Be Refractive Surgery Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Mar 23, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Refractive surgery technicians are medical professionals who are responsible for assisting with the preparation and post-operative care of patients who have had a refractive surgery procedure. This profession requires highly specialized knowledge and skills, including the ability to perform tests and measurements to determine a patient's suitability for refractive surgery, as well as the ability to monitor and adjust laser treatments. In addition, refractive surgery technicians must be adept at recognizing and addressing any potential complications that may arise during the refractive surgery process.

The success of a refractive surgery procedure is significantly impacted by the level of skill and expertise of the refractive surgery technician. As a result, those who have been trained in this field have the opportunity to receive higher salaries and improved job security.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or GED. Refractive surgery technicians need a basic academic background to be successful in the field.
Consider obtaining certification from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). This certification is not required for most refractive surgery technician jobs, but it can help demonstrate competency and give employers confidence in a technicians abilities.
Locate a position as a refractive surgery technician. Many of these positions are found in ophthalmology offices, outpatient clinics, and hospitals.
Participate in on-the-job training. Refractive surgery technicians typically receive training from experienced technicians or surgeons before working independently.
Keep up-to-date with developments in the field by attending conferences, seminars, and workshops. As technology evolves rapidly in the refractive surgery field, technicians need to stay informed about the latest advancements.

The job of a Refractive Surgery Technician requires advanced skills and capabilities in order to be successful. To become a qualified Refractive Surgery Technician, individuals must have a thorough knowledge of laser refractive surgery, including an understanding of the anatomy of the eye, the physics of light, and the best practices for patient safety. They must also be familiar with the various types of laser refractive surgery such as LASIK and PRK, as well as their respective benefits and risks.

Furthermore, they must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as they will be interacting with patients and explaining the procedures to them. Becoming a Refractive Surgery Technician necessitates dedication and commitment to learning and mastering these skills, as well as staying current with the latest developments in the field. With these qualifications in hand, a Refractive Surgery Technician is able to provide patients with safe and successful laser refractive surgery treatments.

You may want to check Refractive Surgeon, Refractive Surgery Nurse, and Refractive Outreach Specialist for alternative.

Job Description

Monitor patient before, during, and after refractive surgery procedures.
Prepare surgical instruments and supplies for refractive surgery.
Assist doctors with refractive surgeries as needed.
Measure and record patient's vision before and after surgery.
Assist with fitting and adjusting contact lenses to ensure maximum comfort and accuracy.
Maintain accurate patient records and documentation.
Follow up with patients post-surgery to ensure successful results.
Monitor patient's medication usage and dosage instructions.
Educate patients on proper care and maintenance of contact lenses and refractive surgery results.
Clean and sterilize equipment and instruments after use.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the eye
Ability to accurately measure pupillary distance and refraction
Knowledge of ophthalmic instruments and equipment
Ability to recognize pre- and post-operative conditions
Ability to prepare and maintain medical records
Ability to assist with patient education and counselling
Knowledge of laser physics
Ability to operate a laser system
Ability to calibrate and troubleshoot laser systems
Knowledge of safety procedures and protocol
Ability to perform follow-up care and patient education
Knowledge of post-operative care instructions
Ability to work as part of a team
Knowledge of infection control procedures
Knowledge of medical terminology
Excellent communication skills

Refractive surgery technicians are responsible for providing pre- and post-operative care for patients undergoing refractive surgery procedures. As such, having a strong knowledge base of the medical and technical aspects of refractive surgery is essential. An ideal refractive surgery technician should also have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as they need to be able to discuss treatment options with patients, answer their questions, and provide them with emotional support.

refractive surgery technicians must be detail-oriented and possess good organizational skills to ensure that the patient's medical records are properly documented and all necessary tests are completed. Finally, a good understanding of safety protocols is also necessary, as the technician must be able to recognize potential safety risks and take appropriate action to minimize them. With these skills in place, a refractive surgery technician can ensure that patients receive the best possible care and have a successful treatment experience.

Refractive Lens Sales Representative, Refractive Consultant, and Refractive Technician are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in refractive surgery techniques?
How comfortable are you using microscopes and other specialized equipment?
What do you consider the most important qualities for a successful Refractive Surgery Technician?
Describe your approach to preparing a patient for refractive surgery.
How would you handle a situation where a patient is feeling anxious about their procedure?
What safety protocols do you follow to ensure a successful outcome?
How familiar are you with the latest FDA standards and regulations related to refractive surgery?
Tell me about a time when you had to troubleshoot an issue with a refractive surgery patient or procedure.
What do you think sets you apart as a Refractive Surgery Technician?
What type of training or certifications do you have that make you qualified for this role?

Common Tools in Industry

Ophthalmic Laser. A device used to produce a focused beam of light to perform vision correction surgery, such as LASIK. (eg: NIDEK EC-5000 Excimer Laser System)
Phoropter. An instrument used to measure the refractive error of the eye and to determine the appropriate corrective lens prescription. (eg: Reichert Phoroptor RX Master)
Autorefractor. An instrument used to measure the refractive error of the eye and to determine the appropriate corrective lens prescription. (eg: Topcon KR-8000 Autorefractor)
Ophthalmic Imaging System. An imaging system used to capture and analyze images of the eye. (eg: Heidelberg Spectralis OCT)
Slit Lamp. An instrument used to examine the anterior and posterior segment of the eye. (eg: Haag-Streit SL-900 Slit Lamp)
Tonometer. An instrument used to measure intraocular pressure. (eg: Reichert Ocular Response Analyzer)
Ultrasound Biometer. An instrument used to measure the axial length of the eye. (eg: Zeiss IOLMaster 700)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives (AAOE)
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)
American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (ASORN)
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (ATPO)
International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS)
Refractive Surgery Alliance (RSA)
Refractive Surgery Council of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO-RSC)

Common Important Terms

Ophthalmology. The medical specialty that deals with the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the eye.
Refractometry. A technique used to measure certain optical properties of the eye, such as the refractive index of the cornea.
Keratometry. A procedure used to measure the curvature of the cornea, the transparent front portion of the eye.
Corneal Topography. A technique used to map the curvature of the cornea, which is important for determining the proper fit and position of contact lenses or other corrective lenses.
Slit-Lamp Examination. An examination of the eye using a microscope that is equipped with a narrow light beam (slit). This allows the practitioner to magnify and observe the structures of the eye.
Ocular Ultrasound. A diagnostic imaging technique used to view the internal structures of the eye, such as the lens, vitreous humor, and retina.
Visual Acuity Testing. A method for testing visual sharpness or clarity. It is often performed with a Snellen chart, which contains rows of letters of decreasing size.
Tonometry. A procedure used to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye. Elevated IOP can be an indication of glaucoma.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Refractive Surgery Technician? A1: A Refractive Surgery Technician is a healthcare professional who assists ophthalmologists during refractive surgery procedures such as LASIK, PRK and ICL surgery. They prepare the patient for the procedure, perform pre-operative measurements, and operate the laser system. Q2: What qualifications are needed to be a Refractive Surgery Technician? A2: A Refractive Surgery Technician typically needs to have an associate or bachelor's degree in medical technology or a related field, as well as certification in ophthalmic assisting or laser vision correction. Q3: What type of duties does a Refractive Surgery Technician perform? A3: A Refractive Surgery Technician's duties include preparing the patient for the procedure, performing pre-operative measurements, operating the laser system, monitoring the patient's vital signs during the surgery, and providing post-operative care. Q4: How long does a refractive surgery procedure typically take? A4: A refractive surgery procedure typically takes between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on the type of procedure being performed. Q5: What are some of the risks associated with refractive surgery? A5: Some of the risks associated with refractive surgery include infection, dry eyes, undercorrection or overcorrection of vision, double vision, glare, halos, and flap complications.

Web Resources

Refractive Surgery | Chicago Medicine chicago.medicine.uic.edu
Refractive Surgery - UC Berkeley Optometry Clinic eyecare.berkeley.edu
Refractive Surgery - Patient Services and Information - Flaum Eye ... www.urmc.rochester.edu