Life As an Ophthalmic Medical Technician
Job Description: Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions. May administer eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct the patient in care and use of corrective lenses.
A Day in the Life of an Ophthalmic Medical Technician
- Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
- Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism.
- Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
- Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
- Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
- Conduct binocular disparity tests to assess depth perception.
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What an Ophthalmic Medical Technician Should Know
When polled, Ophthalmic Medical Technicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Related Job Titles
- Ophthalmology Assistant
- Certified Ophthalmic Technician-Surgical Assistant (COT-SA)
- Ophthalmic Medical Technician
- Ophthalmology Technician
- Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technician
Job Demand for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 44,500 jobs in the United States for Ophthalmic Medical Technician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 19.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,700 new jobs for Ophthalmic Medical Technician by 2026. There will be an estimated 4,600 positions for Ophthalmic Medical Technician per year.
The states with the most job growth for Ophthalmic Medical Technician are Arizona, Utah, and Maryland. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, South Dakota, or Rhode Island. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of an Ophthalmic Medical Technician
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians make between $24,770 and $54,830 a year.
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians who work in Minnesota, Massachusetts, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $36,500 |
Alaska | $46,770 |
Arizona | $40,450 |
Arkansas | $31,910 |
California | $41,890 |
Colorado | $38,030 |
Connecticut | $42,930 |
Delaware | $35,940 |
District of Columbia | $50,290 |
Florida | $36,750 |
Georgia | $35,120 |
Hawaii | $37,770 |
Idaho | $28,800 |
Illinois | $38,180 |
Indiana | $35,970 |
Iowa | $36,080 |
Kansas | $33,710 |
Kentucky | $33,640 |
Louisiana | $37,590 |
Maine | $38,180 |
Maryland | $42,510 |
Massachusetts | $48,300 |
Michigan | $37,400 |
Minnesota | $50,700 |
Mississippi | $31,020 |
Missouri | $35,400 |
Montana | $33,970 |
Nebraska | $36,840 |
Nevada | $36,030 |
New Hampshire | $42,630 |
New Jersey | $45,420 |
New Mexico | $36,290 |
New York | $34,870 |
North Carolina | $36,030 |
North Dakota | $37,520 |
Ohio | $37,590 |
Oklahoma | $34,810 |
Oregon | $42,170 |
Pennsylvania | $36,770 |
Rhode Island | $38,230 |
South Carolina | $37,310 |
South Dakota | $36,150 |
Tennessee | $36,340 |
Texas | $33,290 |
Utah | $33,840 |
Vermont | $42,610 |
Virginia | $41,340 |
Washington | $44,050 |
West Virginia | $33,360 |
Wisconsin | $40,310 |
What Tools & Technology do Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Ophthalmic Medical Technicians may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Email software
- EyeMD EMR
- MediPro Medisoft Clinical
- NaviNet Open
- ezChartWriter
- iChartPlus
- AcuityPro
- Medflow Complete
How do I Become an Ophthalmic Medical Technician?
Learn what Ophthalmic Medical Technician education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become an Ophthalmic Medical Technician?
Who Employs Ophthalmic Medical Technicians?
The table below shows the approximate number of Ophthalmic Medical Technicians employed by various industries.
References:
Image Credit: Robert Barnett via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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