Our In Demand Career Spotlight Series focuses on careers in the medical and dental industries where demand for skilled workers outpaces supply. At ACI Medical & Dental School, you can be certified for these in demand careers in just four to six months, with the hands-on training, skills and credentials you’ll need for your new career.
In this month’s blog post, we will be discussing the Ophthalmic Technician position.
What Does an Ophthalmic Technician Do?
An Ophthalmic Technician is an important member of a healthcare team. Their role is to work with eye doctors (ophthalmologists) and assist with various patient care responsibilities including clinical and administrative tasks.
The duties of an Ophthalmic Technician will vary depending on the size of the practice or facility, but some of their daily responsibilities may include:
- Taking patients’ vital signs and medical histories
- Assisting doctors in physical exams and minor surgeries
- Performing vision tests, pupil tests, and diagnostic tests
- Assisting with patient procedures
- Performing office management duties including scheduling and billing, as necessary
- Giving patients important information about medications, tests, or procedures
- Sterilizing medical instruments and preparing examination rooms
- Other clinical procedures as required by the medical facility
- A thorough understanding of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical law and ethics, and HIPAA regulations
This career has been chosen by U.S. News as one of their top 100 Best Jobs, including placement on their Best Healthcare Support Jobs and Best Jobs Without a College Degree lists.
What Makes A Good Ophthalmic Technician?
Since Ophthalmic Technicians take on a wide range of responsibilities that require both technical and clinical knowledge, there are a few skills needed to do the job effectively. Clinical skills include:
- Medical charting
- Surgical assistance
- Lensometry, keratometry, refractometry, tonometry
- Medication administration
- Visual assessments and visual fields
Soft skills of a Ophthalmic Technician include:
- Compassionate and empathetic
- Emotional intelligence
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking with a variety of tasks
- An active listener who is able to solve problems quickly
- Highly organized
- Able to collaborate in a team environment
- Ability to educate others
The Job Outlook for Ophthalmic Technician
Like many careers in the healthcare field, this position is growing quickly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has stated that between 2020 and 2030 there is an expected 12% increase in job growth for Ophthalmic Technicians, which is much higher than the average across all occupations. With our impressive student graduation and employment rates, there has never been a better time to pursue this growing career at ACI Medical & Dental School!
Ophthalmic Technician Salary
According to Zip Recruiter, the average annual pay of an Ophthalmic Technician in New Jersey is around $35,700 per year.
Interested in Ophthalmic Technician Training in New Jersey?
By completing our Medical Assistant Certification Program, students will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to take on the responsibilities of an Ophthalmic Technician in just four to six months.
Students who complete our program will be Certified Clinical Medical Assistants through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Our program also includes training for EKG, phlebotomy and patient care technician certifications.
Classes are starting soon! To learn more about this exciting new career opportunity and take the next step towards an in demand job in a growing industry, contact us today.
