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Ophthalmic Medical Technologist

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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.

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.

  • 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.

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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.

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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?

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

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Where Ophthalmic Medical Technologists Are Employed

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Below are examples of industries where Ophthalmic Medical Technologists work:

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References:

Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla via U.S. Air Force photo

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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