What is an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist?

Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Definition 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.

List of Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Job Duties

• Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.
• Perform fluorescein angiography of the eye.
• Supervise or instruct ophthalmic staff.
• Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism.
• Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
• Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Required Skills

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists 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.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Other Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Job Titles

• Instruct Technologist
• Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT)
• Ophthalmology Surgical Technician
• Ophthalmic Clinical Coordinator
• Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant

Job Demand for Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

In the United States, there were 127,800 jobs for Health Technologists and Technicians in 2016.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 19.7% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 25,100 new jobs for Ophthalmic Medical Technologists by 2026. The BLS estimates 11,000 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Health Technologists and Technicians are California, Texas, and Florida.

Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Vermont, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Salary

Health Technologists and Technicians Make between $28,130 and $72,720 a year. The median salary for this occupation is $42,920.

How much do Health Technologists and Technicians make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Tennessee	$64,010
Alaska	$62,580
New Mexico	$60,690
Washington	$59,950
Massachusetts	$55,950
Minnesota	$55,940
New York	$55,700
Rhode Island	$55,490
Connecticut	$55,450
Hawaii	$54,660
Oregon	$54,520
South Dakota	$54,290
District of Columbia	$54,210
New Jersey	$53,570
Kentucky	$51,780
Maine	$51,500
Wyoming	$51,120
New Hampshire	$50,390
California	$50,150
Vermont	$50,140
Indiana	$49,300
Kansas	$49,180
Delaware	$48,900
Arizona	$48,840
Idaho	$48,750
Virginia	$48,050
Illinois	$47,590
Georgia	$46,960
Missouri	$46,580
North Dakota	$46,370
Colorado	$46,270
Alabama	$46,230
Nevada	$45,980
Michigan	$45,640
Nebraska	$45,370
Maryland	$44,590
Wisconsin	$44,080
Texas	$43,990
Oklahoma	$43,960
West Virginia	$43,490
Pennsylvania	$43,070
South Carolina	$42,820
Ohio	$42,780
Florida	$42,730
Montana	$42,630
Iowa	$42,590
Arkansas	$42,300
Utah	$41,150
North Carolina	$39,230
Louisiana	$38,370
Mississippi	$36,900

Where do Ophthalmic Medical Technologists Work?

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons