Buy Ophthalmic Technician Degree Online
Ophthalmic technicians are highly skilled professionals who work in the field of eye care and health.Are you passionate of becoming a certified Ophthalmic technician? if yes then a Bright Future awaits you.Buy Ophthalmic Technician Degree Online.This career does not typically require a bachelor’s degree and training is available to anyone with a high school diploma. If you are interested in pursuing a healthcare career but would prefer not to attend medical school, a job as an ophthalmic technician could be the perfect choice for you. In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about an ophthalmic technician career, including job description, salary information and the necessary steps for pursuing the career.
Ophthalmic technicians are medical professionals who assist ophthalmologists in caring for patients’ eyes and eyesight. Ophthalmic technicians are authorized to carry out more duties than an ophthalmic assistant
, but they may still require the supervision of a licensed medical technologist when providing advanced care. Ophthalmic technologists work alongside ophthalmologists to perform eye exams, diagnose diseases and administer treatments. They are typically employed by ophthalmology clinics or offices.
What does an ophthalmic technician do?
Ophthalmology technicians use several specialized skills to carry out their daily duties. Depending on their skill level and practical experience, they may be assigned a variety of tasks that involve providing care for patients and assisting the resident ophthalmologist.
The typical responsibilities of an ophthalmic technician include:
Asking patients about their symptoms and recording the information for the doctor
Performing preliminary exams and tests
Cleaning and maintaining ophthalmic equipment
Supporting the ophthalmologist during eye surgeries and procedures
Administering medications and topical treatments
Examining test results and contributing to diagnostic discussions
Answering patients' questions and encouraging healthy habits
Writing, editing and filing patient medical recordsAverage salary
The salary of an ophthalmic technician varies depending on their location, experience level and educational background. The average salary of an ophthalmic technician in the United States is $17.31 per hour
. Salary estimates range from $7.25 to $34.80 per hour.
This salary data is based on 1,545 salaries submitted anonymously to Indeed by ophthalmic technician employees and collected from past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months. An ophthalmic technician’s tenure is typically between 1-3 years.
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How to become an ophthalmic technician
Here are the steps to take if you are interested in becoming an ophthalmic technician:
Pursue an education.
Obtain the necessary training.
Become certified.
Gain practical experience.
Apply for jobs.- Pursue education
The first step in becoming an ophthalmic technician is earning a high school diploma or GED. The majority of employers require all ophthalmic technicians to have at minimum a secondary school degree. Many employers may also prefer their ophthalmic technician candidates to have an associate or bachelor’s degree. Formal education provides aspiring ophthalmic technicians with general knowledge and reasoning skills which will be beneficial to their careers.
- Obtain necessary training
The next step is to acquire specialized training. There are two primary options for pursuing ophthalmic technician training. The first is to receive a certificate in ophthalmic practice from an accredited institution. Ophthalmic technician diplomas typically take 1-2 years to earn. The required coursework will cover subjects like anatomy, medical terminology, ethics and other topics unique to ophthalmology. Certification programs also involve practical clinical and hands-on learning.
The second option for obtaining training is to work as a trainee in an ophthalmology clinic or private practice. Some employers offer on-the-job training programs for promising job applicants. These training periods involve learning ophthalmic practice through observation and supervised practice. Once an aspiring ophthalmic technician has proven their competence and skill, they will be qualified to pursue certification.
- Become certified
The majority of employers require their ophthalmic technicians to be certified before they can practice professionally. The recommended certifications are offered by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology. The JCAHPO offers three certifications that are awarded according to the individual’s skill and experience level. These include:
Certified ophthalmic assistant
Certified ophthalmic technician
Certified ophthalmic medical technologistOphthalmic professionals who wish to specialize in ophthalmic surgery or another specific field will need to achieve additional certification.
To become certified, ophthalmic technicians must take and pass a knowledge exam. This test covers a range of topics related to eye care, eye health, ocular diseases, examination methods and ophthalmic procedures and medicines. Individuals must pass the COA exam and work as an ophthalmic assistant for one year before they can take the COT exam.
- Gain practical experience
Before you can become certified as a technician or pursue open technician positions, you will need to gain experience working as an ophthalmic assistant. While working as an entry-level assistant, ophthalmology professionals learn to function successfully in a professional environment. This includes becoming familiar with the employees, tools and daily activities that are common in every ophthalmology facility. Assisting the resident technicians and doctors will provide valuable experience in caring for patients and adhering to the office’s policies.
- Apply for jobs
Once an ophthalmic technician has earned their degree, acquired training, obtained certification and gained experience, they are qualified to pursue open technician positions. Some ophthalmic technicians may be offered positions in the same workplace where they previously trained or worked as an assistant. Others may decide to pursue available jobs with other employers.
Before applying, ophthalmic technicians should craft a well-written resume that highlights their certifications, experience and relevant skills. They should also draft a cover letter that can be tailored to suit each potential employer. Ophthalmic job listings can be found using online job boards, local publications, professional directories and your personal network.