Ophthalmic Medical Technologist
Other Titles
Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer and Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist, Certified Ophthalmic Assistant, Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist, Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant, Ophthalmic Medical Assistant, Ophthalmic Technologist (Ophthalmic Tech), Ophthalmology Surgical Technician
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.
Ophthalmic Medical Technologists perform a wide range of activities meant to assist Ophthalmologists. In doing so, they may conduct simple eye exams, carry out tonography tests and take axial length measurements of the eye. In this role, they work with medical doctors who focus on the diseases or disorders of the eye. Their job includes performing tests, examinations and other activities which may help an Ophthalmologists in diagnosing and treating eye conditions. A part of their job is to work closely with the patients and explain to them various ophthalmic tests and procedures. They may also advise patients regarding eye-care activities, such as the appropriate use of corrective lenses.
Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment.
Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements, such as axial length measurements, of the eye or surrounding tissue.
Take and document patients' medical histories.
Calculate corrections for refractive errors.
Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment.
Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.
Perform slit lamp biomicroscopy procedures to diagnose disorders of the eye, such as retinitis, presbyopia, cataracts, or retinal detachment.
Measure corneal thickness, using pachymeter or contact ultrasound methods.
Measure the thickness of the retinal nerve, using scanning laser polarimetry techniques to aid in diagnosis of glaucoma.
Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism.
Photograph patients' eye areas, using clinical photography techniques, to document retinal or corneal defects.
Assess refractive condition of eyes, using retinoscope.
Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.
Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles.
Conduct tests, such as the Amsler Grid test, to measure central visual field used in the early diagnosis of macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diseases of the eye.
Supervise or instruct ophthalmic staff.
Perform fluorescein angiography of the eye.
Assess abnormalities of color vision, such as amblyopia.
Call patients to inquire about their post-operative status or recovery.
Conduct binocular disparity tests to assess depth perception.
Perform advanced ophthalmic procedures, including electrophysiological, electrophysical, or microbial procedures.
Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.
Conduct low vision blindness tests.
Create three-dimensional images of the eye, using computed tomography (CT).
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.
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.
Coordination→ Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Writing→ Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Judgment and Decision Making→ Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Management of Personnel Resources→ Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Assisting and Caring for Others→ Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Documenting/Recording Information→ Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Getting Information→ Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge→ Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates→ Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Interacting With Computers→ Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public→ Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships→ Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events→ Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems→ Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Training and Teaching Others→ Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others→ Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Processing Information→ Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards→ Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Analyzing Data or Information→ Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Coaching and Developing Others→ Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Developing and Building Teams→ Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates→ Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization→ Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others→ Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings→ Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Handling and Moving Objects→ Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Test patient vision.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Measure the physical or physiological attributes of patients.
Record patient medical histories.
Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
Calculate numerical data for medical activities.
Administer non-intravenous medications.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.
Create advanced digital images of patients using computer imaging systems.
Clean medical equipment or facilities.
Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
Supervise medical support personnel.
Train medical providers.
Instruct patients in the use of assistive equipment.
Oral Comprehension→ The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Near Vision→ The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity→ The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Speech Recognition→ The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Comprehension→ The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Finger Dexterity→ The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Speech Clarity→ The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Inductive Reasoning→ The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering→ The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g. , patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Written Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Arm-Hand Steadiness→ The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Category Flexibility→ The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning→ The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Flexibility of Closure→ The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Selective Attention→ The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Medicine and Dentistry→ Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Customer and Personal Service→ Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Language→ Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics→ Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Education and Training→ Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Clerical→ Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Binocular vision test sets or accessories→ Color blindness tests
Chart projectors or accessories→ Eye chart projectors; Potential acuity meters
Combination refractor keratometers→ Autorefractors
Corneal camera→ Specular microscopes
Corneal topographers
Depth perception apparatus→ Stereo vision tests
Electroretinogram systems→ Electroretinogram equipment
Exophthalmometers→ Hertel exophthalmometers; Luedde exophthalmometers; Naugle exophthalmometers
Eye charts or vision cards→ Amsler grids; Snellen eye charts; Visual acuity cards
Eye occluders→ Handheld occluders; Maddox rods
Laser fax machine→ Laser facsimile machines
Lid plates for ophthalmic surgery→ Jaeger lid plates
Medical computed tomography CT or CAT scanners or tubes→ Optical coherence tomography OCT scanners; Retinal tomography machines
Medical syringe with needle→ Ophthalmic syringes
Mercury blood pressure units→ Manual blood pressure cuffs
Ophthalmic drums or its accessories→ Optokinetic drums
Ophthalmic lensometers→ Automated lensometers; Manual lensometers
Ophthalmic perimeters
Ophthalmic retinoscopes
Ophthalmic slit lamps
Ophthalmic spectrophotometers→ Brightness acuity testers
Ophthalmic tonometers or accessories→ Ophthalmic tonographers; Ophthalmic tonometers
Ophthalmic transilluminators→ Ocular transilluminators
Ophthalmic visual function analyzers→ Wavefront aberrometers
Ophthalmoscopes or otoscopes or scope sets→ Ophthalmoscopes; Scanning laser ophthalmoscopes
Opticians tools or accessories→ Digital pupillometers; Manual pupillometers; Millimeter rules
Personal computers
Phoropter units→ Phoroptors
Photo attachments for microscopes→ Fundus cameras
Steam autoclaves or sterilizers→ Steam autoclaves
Tangent screen test objects kits or accessories→ Tangent screens
Thickness measuring devices→ Corneal pachymeters
Ultrasonic examination equipment→ A-scan biometers; B-Scan biometers; Bio-microscopes
Vision testing stereoscopes→ Titmus vision screeners
Conventional→ Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Realistic→ Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative→ Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.
Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Social Orientation→ Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Achievement→ Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.