What You Need to Know About Ophthalmic Medical Technician
Ophthalmic Medical Technician Definition 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
- Adjust or make minor repairs to spectacles or eyeglasses.
- Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment.
- Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.
- Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.
- Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
- Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
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Ophthalmic Medical Technician Required Skills
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Types of Ophthalmic Medical Technician Jobs
- Ophthalmic Medical Assistant
- Ophthalmic Aide
- Medical Technician
- Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
- Certified Ophthalmic Technician with Surgical Assisting
Is There Job Demand for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians?
In the United States, there were 44,500 jobs for Ophthalmic Medical Technician in 2016. 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.
Do Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians ranges between about $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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Ophthalmic Medical Technicians:
- 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
Becoming an Ophthalmic Medical Technician
Individuals working as an Ophthalmic Medical Technician have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become an Ophthalmic Medical Technician?

Where Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Ophthalmic Medical Technicians work:

References:
Image Credit: Robert Barnett via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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