Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

• Summary

• Details

Work Activities

• Conduct binocular disparity tests to assess depth perception.
• Perform slit lamp biomicroscopy procedures to diagnose disorders of the eye, such as retinitis, presbyopia, cataracts, or retinal detachment.
• Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.
• Perform advanced ophthalmic procedures, including electrophysiological, electrophysical, or microbial procedures.
• Perform advanced ophthalmic procedures, including electrophysiological, electrophysical, or microbial procedures.
• Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
• Calculate corrections for refractive errors.
• Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment.
• Create three-dimensional images of the eye, using computed tomography (CT).
• Supervise or instruct ophthalmic staff.
• Take and document patients' medical histories.
• Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
• Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
• Perform ophthalmic triage, in the office or by phone, to assess severity of patients' conditions.
• Assess abnormalities of color vision, such as amblyopia.
• Photograph patients' eye areas, using clinical photography techniques, to document retinal or corneal defects.
• Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
• 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.
• Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.
• Supervise or instruct ophthalmic staff.
• Conduct low vision blindness tests.
• Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
• Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
• Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.
• Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.
• Educate patients on ophthalmic medical procedures, conditions of the eye, and appropriate use of medications.
• Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles.
• Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism.
• Take and document patients' medical histories.
• Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment.
• Measure corneal thickness, using pachymeter or contact ultrasound methods.
• Assess refractive condition of eyes, using retinoscope.
• Assess refractive condition of eyes, using retinoscope.
• Call patients to inquire about their post-operative status or recovery.
• Create three-dimensional images of the eye, using computed tomography (CT).
• 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.
• Measure the thickness of the retinal nerve, using scanning laser polarimetry techniques to aid in diagnosis of glaucoma.
• Perform fluorescein angiography of the eye.

Skills

• Technology Design
  • Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
• Installation
  • Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
• Equipment Maintenance
  • Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
• Time Management
  • Managing your time and the time of other people.
• Learning Strategies
  • Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
• Persuasion
  • Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
• Negotiation
  • Bringing people together to solve differences.
• Service Orientation
  • Looking for ways to help people.
• Social Perceptiveness
  • Understanding people's reactions.
• Instructing
  • Teaching people how to do something.
• Monitoring
  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
• Operations Analysis
  • Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
• Programming
  • Writing computer programs.
• Troubleshooting
  • Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
• Repairing
  • Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
• Operation and Control
  • Using equipment or systems.
• Systems Evaluation
  • Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
• Management of Material Resources
  • Managing equipment and materials.
• Speaking
  • Talking to others.
• Writing
  • Writing things for co-workers or customers.
• Mathematics
  • Using math to solve problems.
• Science
  • Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
• Critical Thinking
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
• Active Learning
  • Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
• Complex Problem Solving
  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
• Active Listening
  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
• Coordination
  • Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
• Reading Comprehension
  • Reading work-related information.
• Equipment Selection
  • Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
• Systems Analysis
  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
• Operations Monitoring
  • Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
• Quality Control Analysis
  • Testing how well a product or service works.
• Management of Personnel Resources
  • Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
• Management of Financial Resources
  • Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
• Judgment and Decision Making
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.

Abilities

• Information Ordering
  • Ordering or arranging things.
• Category Flexibility
  • Grouping things in different ways.
• Problem Sensitivity
  • Noticing when problems happen.
• Mathematical Reasoning
  • Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
• Memorization
  • Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
• Wrist-Finger Speed
  • Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Depth Perception
  • Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
• Gross Body Equilibrium
  • Keeping your balance or staying upright.
• Near Vision
  • Seeing details up close.
• Auditory Attention
  • Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
• Control Precision
  • Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
• Speed of Limb Movement
  • Quickly moving your arms and legs.
• Gross Body Coordination
  • Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
• Reaction Time
  • Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
• Oral Comprehension
  • Listening and understanding what people say.
• Night Vision
  • Seeing at night or under low light.
• Oral Expression
  • Communicating by speaking.
• Originality
  • Creating new and original ideas.
• Response Orientation
  • Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
• Manual Dexterity
  • Holding or moving items with your hands.
• Glare Sensitivity
  • Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
• Written Comprehension
  • Reading and understanding what is written.
• Time Sharing
  • Doing two or more things at the same time.
• Extent Flexibility
  • Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
• Dynamic Strength
  • Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
• Finger Dexterity
  • Putting together small parts with your fingers.
• Perceptual Speed
  • Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
• Selective Attention
  • Paying attention to something without being distracted.
• Rate Control
  • Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
• Stamina
  • Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
• Speech Clarity
  • Speaking clearly.
• Written Expression
  • Communicating by writing.
• Spatial Orientation
  • Knowing where things are around you.
• Multilimb Coordination
  • Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
• Far Vision
  • Seeing details that are far away.
• Fluency of Ideas
  • Coming up with lots of ideas.
• Deductive Reasoning
  • Using rules to solve problems.
• Inductive Reasoning
  • Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
• Number Facility
  • Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
  • Keeping your arm or hand steady.
• Dynamic Flexibility
  • Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
• Flexibility of Closure
  • Seeing hidden patterns.
• Static Strength
  • Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
• Hearing Sensitivity
  • Telling the difference between sounds.
• Visualization
  • Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
• Trunk Strength
  • Using your lower back and stomach.
• Visual Color Discrimination
  • Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
• Explosive Strength
  • Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
• Speed of Closure
  • Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
• Peripheral Vision
  • Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
• Speech Recognition
  • Recognizing spoken words.
• Sound Localization
  • Noticing the direction that a sound came from.

Knowledge

• Design
  • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Therapy and Counseling
  • Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
• Philosophy and Theology
  • Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
• Personnel and Human Resources
  • Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
• Communications and Media
  • Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
• Engineering and Technology
  • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Biology
  • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
• Sociology and Anthropology
  • Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
• 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.
• Law and Government
  • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Mechanical
  • Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Fine Arts
  • Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
• Building and Construction
  • Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• Chemistry
  • Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
• Public Safety and Security
  • Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
• Administrative
  • Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
• Foreign Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
• Telecommunications
  • Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
• Physics
  • Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
• English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• 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.
• History and Archeology
  • Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
• Computers and Electronics
  • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Transportation
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
• 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.
• Administration and Management
  • Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Production and Processing
  • Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Psychology
  • Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Economics and Accounting
  • Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
• Sales and Marketing
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
• Food Production
  • Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
• Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Geography
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Education

Education

Postsecondary certificate

Work Experience

No work experience

Training

No on-the-job training

Education and Training Opportunities

×

Education and Training Opportunities

• Bellevue College
  3000 Landerholm Cir SE, Bellevue WA 98007-6484
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  10,000 - 19,999

  Financial Aid 425-564-1000
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/
  Program Name
  Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Electroneurodiagnostic/Electroencephalographic Technology/Technologist
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
  Save

  ---

• Bellingham Technical College
  3028 Lindbergh Ave, Bellingham WA 98225-1599
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 360-752-7000
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://www.btc.edu/
  Program Name
  Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
  Save

  ---

• Carrington College-Spokane
  10102 E. Knox Ave., Ste. 200, Spokane WA 99206-4187
  School Type

  Private for-profit, 2-year

  Admissions
  School Size

  Under 1,000

  Financial Aid 509-462-3722
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://carrington.edu/
  Program Name
  Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
  Save

  ---

• Clover Park Technical College
  4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood WA 98499-4004
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 253-589-5800
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://www.cptc.edu/
  Program Name
  Renal/Dialysis Technologist/Technician
  Length
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Award Level
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Save

  ---

• Columbia Basin College
  2600 N 20th Ave, Pasco WA 99301
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  5,000 - 9,999

  Financial Aid 509-547-0511
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://www.columbiabasin.edu/
  Program Name
  Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years
  Save

  ---

• Highline College
  2400 S 240th St, Des Moines WA 98198-9800
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  5,000 - 9,999

  Financial Aid 206-878-3710
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://www.highline.edu/
  Program Name
  Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Polysomnography
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
  Save

  ---

• Lower Columbia College
  1600 Maple Street, Longview WA 98632
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 360-442-2311
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://lowercolumbia.edu/
  Program Name
  Renal/Dialysis Technologist/Technician
  Length
  At least one but less than two years
  Award Level
  Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years
  Save
  Program Name
  Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist
  Length
  At least one but less than two years
  Award Level
  Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years
  Save

  ---

• Pima Medical Institute-Renton
  555 South Renton Village Place Suite 110, Renton WA 98057
  School Type

  Private for-profit, 2-year

  Admissions
  School Size

  Under 1,000

  Financial Aid 425-228-9600
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://pmi.edu/
  Program Name
  Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
  Save

  ---

• Seattle Central College
  1701 Broadway Avenue, Seattle WA 98122
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  5,000 - 9,999

  Financial Aid 206-934-3800
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://seattlecentral.edu/
  Program Name
  Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
  Save

  ---

• Spokane Community College
  1810 North Greene Street, Spokane WA 99217-5399
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  5,000 - 9,999

  Financial Aid 509-533-8400
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://scc.spokane.edu/
  Program Name
  Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
  Save

  ---

• Tacoma Community College
  6501 S 19th St, Tacoma WA 98466-6100
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  5,000 - 9,999

  Financial Aid 253-566-5000
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://www.tacomacc.edu/
  Program Name
  Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
  Save

  ---

• University of Washington-Seattle Campus
  1400 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle WA 98195-4550
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  20,000 and above

  Financial Aid 206-543-2100
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  https://www.washington.edu/
  Program Name
  Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Master's degree
  Save

  ---

• Yakima Valley College
  South 16th Ave. & Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima WA 98907-2520
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 509-574-4600
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://www.yvcc.edu/
  Program Name
  Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
  Save

  ---

Close

Pay

Washington Annual Salary

59960/yr

Washington Hourly Wage

28.83/hr

Washington Employment Trends

Currently Employed

190,400

Yearly Projected Openings

14300

Personality

Realistic: People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They do well at jobs that need:

• Dependability
• Attention to Detail
• Cooperation
• Integrity
• Concern for Others
• Self Control

Tools

• Binocular vision test sets
• Chart projectors
• Corneal cameras
• Corneal topographers
• Depth perception apparatus
• Electroretinogram systems
• Exophthalmometers
• Eye charts or vision cards
• Eye occluders
• Keratometers
• Laser fax machine
• Lid plates for ophthalmic surgery
• Medical computed tomography CT or CAT scanners or tubes
• Medical syringes with needle
• Mercury blood pressure units
• Ophthalmic lensometers
• Ophthalmic perimeters
• Ophthalmic retinoscopes
• Ophthalmic slit lamps
• Ophthalmic spectrophotometers
• Ophthalmic tonometers
• Ophthalmic transilluminators
• Ophthalmic visual function analyzers
• Ophthalmoscopes or otoscopes or scope sets
• Opticians tools
• Personal computers
• Phoropter units
• Photo attachments for microscopes
• Steam autoclaves or sterilizers
• Tangent screen test objects kits
• Thickness measuring devices
• Ultrasonic examination equipment
• Vision testing stereoscopes

Technology

• Computer aided design CAD software
• Electronic mail software
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software
• Internet browser software
• Medical software
• Office suite software
• Operating system software
• Spreadsheet software
• Web platform development software
• Word processing software