What Does it Take to Be an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist?
Job Description & Duties Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.
Daily Life Of an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist
- Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
- Supervise or instruct ophthalmic staff.
- Perform slit lamp biomicroscopy procedures to diagnose disorders of the eye, such as retinitis, presbyopia, cataracts, or retinal detachment.
- Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
- Call patients to inquire about their post-operative status or recovery.
- Measure the thickness of the retinal nerve, using scanning laser polarimetry techniques to aid in diagnosis of glaucoma.
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What Every Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Should Know
When polled, Ophthalmic Medical Technologists 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.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Related Job Titles
- Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
- Medical Technologist
- Optometric Technologist
- Ophthalmology Surgical Technician
- Instruct Technologist
Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 127,800 jobs for Ophthalmic Medical Technologist 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 25,100 new jobs for Ophthalmic Medical Technologist by 2026. The BLS estimates 11,000 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Ophthalmic Medical Technologist are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Illinois, Rhode Island, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Salary
The typical yearly salary for Ophthalmic Medical Technologists is somewhere between $28,130 and $72,720.
Ophthalmic Medical Technologists who work in New Mexico, Alaska, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Ophthalmic Medical Technologists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,230 |
| Alaska | $62,580 |
| Arizona | $48,840 |
| Arkansas | $42,300 |
| California | $50,150 |
| Colorado | $46,270 |
| Connecticut | $55,450 |
| Delaware | $48,900 |
| District of Columbia | $54,210 |
| Florida | $42,730 |
| Georgia | $46,960 |
| Hawaii | $54,660 |
| Idaho | $48,750 |
| Illinois | $47,590 |
| Indiana | $49,300 |
| Iowa | $42,590 |
| Kansas | $49,180 |
| Kentucky | $51,780 |
| Louisiana | $38,370 |
| Maine | $51,500 |
| Maryland | $44,590 |
| Massachusetts | $55,950 |
| Michigan | $45,640 |
| Minnesota | $55,940 |
| Mississippi | $36,900 |
| Missouri | $46,580 |
| Montana | $42,630 |
| Nebraska | $45,370 |
| Nevada | $45,980 |
| New Hampshire | $50,390 |
| New Jersey | $53,570 |
| New Mexico | $60,690 |
| New York | $55,700 |
| North Carolina | $39,230 |
| North Dakota | $46,370 |
| Ohio | $42,780 |
| Oklahoma | $43,960 |
| Oregon | $54,520 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,070 |
| Rhode Island | $55,490 |
| South Carolina | $42,820 |
| South Dakota | $54,290 |
| Tennessee | $64,010 |
| Texas | $43,990 |
| Utah | $41,150 |
| Vermont | $50,140 |
| Virginia | $48,050 |
| Washington | $59,950 |
| West Virginia | $43,490 |
| Wisconsin | $44,080 |
| Wyoming | $51,120 |
What Tools do Ophthalmic Medical Technologists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Ophthalmic Medical Technologists may use on a daily basis:
- Web browser software
- Email software
- AcuityPro
- MediPro Medisoft Clinical
- NaviNet Open
- ezChartWriter
- iChartPlus
- EyeMD EMR
- Medflow Complete
How do I Become an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist?
What education or degrees do I need to become an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist?
How Long Does it Take to Become an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist?
Where Ophthalmic Medical Technologists Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Ophthalmic Medical Technologists work:
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla via U.S. Air Force photo
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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