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Who is a Ophthalmic Medical Technician?
Sight is a privilege for some but a professional in the field of ophthalmology can assist everyone to enjoy that privilege ~ Anonymous
With advancing technology, the human lifestyle is changing. In order to be able to see properly after being exposed to all the harmful screen lights is surely a challenge. But, it is not impossible. Visiting an ophthalmic care specialist is something one must do a regular intervals. Do you wonder how an eye technician manages to take care of everything? Well, he or she is not alone, an ophthalmic medical technician is there for assistance all the time.
An individual who opts for a career as an ophthalmic medical technician helps the doctor with several tasks like maintaining the equipment, conducting tests, making reports and several other such tasks. If you are someone who wishes to help people by being a part of the medical science field but you do not want to study for years in order to become a doctor then being an ophthalmic medical technician is a possible career option for you. Here we will discuss how to become an ophthalmic medical technician in India, and what are the roles and responsibilities, skills or eligibility.
Ophthalmic Medical Technician in a Nutshell
Ophthalmic technician careers are one of the booming career options available in the field of healthcare. Being a part of this field as an ophthalmic medical technician can provide several career opportunities for an individual. With advancing technology, the job of an ophthalmic medical technician has become even more important as he or she is required to assist the ophthalmologist in using different types of machinery. If you want to know more about the field and what are the several job opportunities, and work environment, then continue reading the article and all your questions shall be answered.
Quick Facts for Ophthalmic Medical Technician
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Industry
Healthcare
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Suitable for
Male, Female
Individuals can take up a career as ophthalmic medical technicians, it is not gender-specific. Males, women, and others can choose a career as ophthalmic medical technicians. In order to become an ophthalmic medical technician, an individual from any section or gender can do so.
It does not matter which gender he or she belongs to when it comes to taking up the profession of an ophthalmic medical technician as a career option. Being an ophthalmic medical technician in India is a profession where an individual’s gender is not a deciding factor. Both men and women have taken up this profession in India and across the globe.
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Any special needs
No
People with special needs should not choose a career as an ophthalmic medical technician. The career as an ophthalmic medical technician is not suited to everyone, specifically those with physical disabilities. When it comes to doing ophthalmic medical technician jobs it is better to be physically fit for a better and efficient way of working.
Differently-abled people cannot be a part of ophthalmic medical technician jobs as it is a field that requires the person in the profession to carry out duties that require him or her to be physically fit. An ophthalmic medical technician has to assist an eye care specialist and in order to do that effectively, one has to be physically fit.
Table of Contents for Ophthalmic Medical Technician
What is the role of Ophthalmic Medical Technician?
An eye technician or an ophthalmic medical technician assists an ophthalmologist in diagnosing eye infections and carrying out eye surgery. He or she performs diagnostic tests, maintains several eye equipment and explains concepts to patients related to eye care. In addition, an ophthalmic medical technician often performs diagnostic tests which include measuring the patient's vision. Specialists in this field of work should be familiar with ophthalmic pharmacology and understand the use of corrective lenses. Here in this section, we will discuss ophthalmic medical technician roles and responsibilities.
Patient History
The Ophthalmic Medical Technician roles and responsibilities involve knowing the history of the patient. The history includes taking information on the previous medical records of the patient along with the kind of medication one is taking at that particular time. It is an important job responsibility as medications need to be planned for serious ailments and knowing the patient’s history helps in preventing any kind of side-effects.
Tonometry
The role of an Ophthalmic Medical Technician is to know the pressure inside the patient’s eye. This diagnostic test is conducted in order to know whether or not the patient has the risk of glaucoma which is a serious eye disease. The pressure of the fluids inside the patient’s eye can cause glaucoma.
Organisational duties
An ophthalmologist has several tasks and patients to deal with on a daily basis. Therefore an ophthalmic medical technician helps the ophthalmologist in order to carry out these tasks efficiently and reduce the organisational work by handling them. The organisation's duties include keeping patient appointment records, maintaining the equipment, filling the reports as well and assisting the ophthalmologist with several details about the patients.
Surgical Assistance
An eye technician needs an individual who opts for a career as an ophthalmic medical technician in order to help and assist him or her during an eye surgery. It is a very critical task as it requires knowledge, experience and precision in order to assist an eye surgeon. During the surgery, an ophthalmic medical technician assists the doctor in using various equipment as well as passing the required tools. Not only that he or she takes care of fulfilling the requirements of the surgery procedure and preparing the patient for the surgery.
Types of a Ophthalmic Medical Technician
Ophthalmologist’s Assistant: An ophthalmic medical technician has the option of working with an ophthalmologist and assisting him or her on a full-time basis. As an assistant, it is his or her job to take care of all the organisational work along with the clinical work which includes conducting tests as well as making the test reports.
Lab Technician: An ophthalmic medical technician can become a lab technician as well. A lab technician is someone who is responsible for maintaining the entire lab. His or her job responsibilities include maintaining the lab equipment, and cleaning it whenever needed. Not only that, but a lab technician also makes sure that the lab looks the same before and after the operation has taken place. He or she is responsible for keeping everything in place once the lab is vacated.
Supervisor: An ophthalmic medical technician has gained experience and practice of a few years or she is eligible to become a supervisor and distribute responsibilities to the other ophthalmic medical technicians who are at the junior levels. A supervisor not only distributes work but also checks at the end of the day what was done by the juniors under him or her.
Medical Lab Technician: Individuals who opt for a career as medical lab technicians referred to as clinical laboratory scientist (CLS), a healthcare professional who performs chemical, haematological, immunologic, histopathological, cytopathological, microscopic, and bacteriological diagnostic analyses on body fluids such as blood, urine, sputum, stool, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, and synovial fluid, as well as other specimens.
Optician: Optician is a professional specialising in designing, testing and adjusting eyeglasses and frames, contact lenses as well and other eye-correcting devices. Optician duties are using prescriptions provided by optometrists or ophthalmologists and therefore do not check the sight or prescribe visual improvement medicines. An optician is a technician qualified to design, and check fit eyeglass lenses and frames, contact lenses and other eye-correcting devices.
Optometrist: Optometrist is a primary health care specialist trained to examine the eyes to detect defects in vision, signs of injury, ocular diseases or abnormality and problems with general health. In a career as an optometrist, individuals diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system.
Doctor: A medical doctor is primarily responsible for healthcare services to patients. He or she uses several methods to treat disorders, diseases, and allergies such as medication, immunotherapy or avoidance of triggers. A specialised doctor may often be required to perform surgeries on patients. He or she may also treat or remove tumours of internal organs.
What is the workplace/work environment of Ophthalmic Medical Technician like?
Whether an individual works in a hospital, at a school, or in a research centre, individuals who opt for a career as ophthalmic medical technicians will be spending much of their time indoors. When an ophthalmic medical technician has to work in a clean and cool environment. The work environment includes handling some big and complex machines and using them on the patient. There are not many emergency calls for an ophthalmic medical technician after work hours but in case of immediate eye surgery, one may be called after hours.
Does Ophthalmic Medical Technician require travelling?
Not Likely
The job of an individual who opt for a career as an ophthalmic medical technician does not require travelling. One works in a hospital, research firm or an educational institute depending on his or her choice. There is no requirement to travel in the job of an ophthalmic medical technician.
Employment Shifts
Full Time
Individuals who opt for a career as ophthalmic medical technicians generally work full-time in a hospital. But depending on the choice of the individual, he or she can also work in a research firm or an educational institute.
Employment Nature
Permanent
The nature of employment of an ophthalmic medical technician is full-time in nature. Individuals who opt for a career as an ophthalmic medical technician work on a full-time basis both in a medical organisation or a research-based organisation.
Work Place
Home Office, hospitals
A career as an ophthalmic medical technician involves working in a hospital environment or having their own private practices at their own clinics.
Presence in Geographical Area
Semi-urban, Urban
Individuals who opt for a career as an ophthalmic medical technician generally work in an urban or semi-urban location. Since places with ophthalmology equipment have hardly opened in rural areas. Since there are hardly any surgical setups in rural areas, an ophthalmic medical technician mainly works in urban or semi-urban locations. In case of requirement, an ophthalmic medical technician might be called in a rural area to provide assistance.
Time Pressure
Likely
Time pressure is quite moderate in the profession. Individuals who opt for a career as ophthalmic medical technicians work from 9-10 hours a day. The work hours can also stretch depending on the requirement as well as the work pressure or even in cases of emergency.
Overtime Details
Sometimes, individuals who opt for a career as an ophthalmic medical technician are required to work overtime. Ideally, an ophthalmic medical technician should work for 9-10 hours but the working hours often get stretched depending on the requirement as well as the patient’s appointment schedule.
Weekly Hours of Work
Min 60 Hours
Individuals who opt for a career as ophthalmic medical technicians work from 9-10 hours a day. The work hours can also stretch depending on the requirement as well as the work pressure or even in cases of emergency. Working hours often extend depending on the requirement as well as the patient’s appointment schedule.
How to become a Ophthalmic Medical Technician?
Steps to become a Ophthalmic Medical Technician
If you are someone who is interested in a career as an Ophthalmic Medical Technician you can assist an ophthalmologist or an eye doctor and help people treat their eyes or provide eye care to patients. If you are someone looking for the details on how to become an Ophthalmic Medical Technician in India then we have provided the detailed steps below.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Ophthalmic Medical Technician?
Below we have provided Ophthalmic Medical Technician skills that are required for you to function effectively in the field.
Communication Skills: An ophthalmic medical technician must have a good command of his or her language. It is important for his or her job position to be able to explain the message to the recipient clearly and precisely. Being able to communicate well eliminates the probability of errors being caused due to any sort of miscommunication between the ophthalmic medical technician and the ophthalmologist. Not only that good communication skills also help the communication to be clear between the patient and the ophthalmic medical technician.
Patience: An ophthalmic medical technician has to deal with several patients of different temperaments as well as with different problems. The job can be hectic and sometimes even get monotonous. However, it is essential for an eye technician to remain calm as well as patient while carrying out the job responsibilities as it is essential in order to cope with the schedule.
Service Orientation: The field of healthcare and medical science can become very demanding at times. Therefore, it is very important to have service orientation within an ophthalmic medical technician as that is one of the most essential sets of skills that an individual in this field needs to possess while delivering his or her duty. The job involves an individual being responsible and responsibility comes from the ability to be work-oriented. Eye technicians must have the inner urge to help a person in need.
Attention to Detail: An ophthalmic medical technician is expected to have extremely high attention to detail as the healthcare field does not have the scope of missing out on the details. It is important in his or her job position that he or she does not miss out on anything while diagnosing or conducting tests on a patient as well as while filling the patient’s history report. Even the smallest of details should be taken care of and duly noted in ophthalmic technician jobs.
Leadership: There are times when an ophthalmic medical technician is promoted then he or she has to lead the juniors assigned under him or her. In such cases, it is essential that the ophthalmic medical technician possess leadership skills wherein he or she is capable enough of guiding the juniors about the work at hand. After gaining experience of a few years one has the opportunity of becoming a supervisor and to carry out the responsibilities well, one must be good with his or her leadership skills.
Popular Online Medicine Courses and Certifications
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Ophthalmic Medical Technician?
Internship Availability
Internships are considered the best possible way to gain experience in ophthalmic technician careers. They provide the candidate with real-world experience. Especially when it comes to the field of healthcare an internship is mandatory in nature as people’s life is at stake. An individual who is planning to be an ophthalmic medical technician is supposed to go through an ophthalmic tech training period which is a minimum of six months long in duration. The time period may vary depending on several factors like the kind of organisation one is working for.
As in the case of a research-based institution, it can last as long as a year. There are several ways through which an ophthalmic assistant can get an internship in an ophthalmic technician career. It could be either through his or her college, through an online portal, or sometimes by even contacting the firm of his or her choice. One could choose any of these methods depending on his or her preference. However, it is advisable to join a reputed ophthalmic tech training school in the beginning as it would give the ophthalmic assistant better exposure.
What is the job outlook for Ophthalmic Medical Technician?
The healthcare industry is considered one of the most revenue-generating industries in the country. The ophthalmic job growth is more significant for the ophthalmic medical technician in a private setting than in the government organisation. There are several ophthalmic job growth opportunities available for the candidates which provide several ophthalmic job growth opportunities as well. The field of ophthalmic medical assistant has a very positive job market scenario. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment to grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2016 and 2026, at about nine per cent.
With the current scenario where all types of technology are being evolved as well as transformed to give better results, the healthcare industry will need a better-skilled ophthalmic medical technician. Not only that the market requirements keep changing for every industry but when it comes to healthcare the future is bright for an individual planning to be a part of it. The market is also positive for the ones who want to be a part of the research-based organisation as well.
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Frequently Asked Questions for Ophthalmic Medical Technician
Que. Is ophthalmic technician a good career?
Ans.The job of an ophthalmic medical technician is one with a low-stress level, good work-life balance and solid prospects to improve, get promoted and earn a higher salary would make many employees happy. Ophthalmic Medical Technician's job satisfaction is rated in terms of upward mobility, stress level and flexibility.
Que. What is the difference between ophthalmic assistant and ophthalmic technician?
Ans.The difference between an ophthalmic technician and an ophthalmic assistant is their level of training as well as the tasks he or she is qualified to perform. The Ophthalmic technician receives advanced training so that he or she can complete all of the duties of an ophthalmic assistant in addition to other clinical tasks.
Que. Are ophthalmic medical technicians in high demand?
Ans.The field of healthcare is constantly growing. Therefore an ophthalmic medical technician who is a part of healthcare service has a high demand as well. With the growing number of healthcare services, experts in every field are being appointed to provide better healthcare standards to the people.
Que. Can an ophthalmic medical technician become an eye-specialist?
Ans.It is not impossible but it is non-conventional. It will take several years of studies for an individual and students generally do not want to go through that process all over again once he or she has attained a degree as an ophthalmic medical technician.
Que. What is the role of Optician?
Ans.An optician, after receiving prescriptions from optometrists or ophthalmologists, assists clients with suitable frames or contact lenses. Often recognised as a dispensing optician, the optician recommends clients on the eyeglass designs and functionalities to best serve their purposes.
Que. What is the role of Optometrist?
Ans.Optometrists are primary health care specialists trained to examine the eyes to detect defects in vision, signs of injury, ocular diseases or abnormality and problems with general health. In a career as an optometrist, individuals diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system.
Que. What is the highest pay for ophthalmic technician?
Ans.The highest pay that an Ophthalmic Technician can earn is Rs 4.0 Lakhs per year (Rs 33.3k per month).
Que. What is the qualifications of Ophthalmic Assistant?
Ans.The qualifications of Ophthalmic Assistant is a 10+2 level of school education in the science stream (including biology) with an aggregate of 50 per cent of marks or equivalent to from a recognised board. A Diploma or a bachelor's degree in the relevant field.
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Did you know?
Fact 1
An ophthalmic medical technician is considered to carry out the key role in the eye care test.
Fact 2
India has 44,582 registered ophthalmic medical technicians as of 2019.
Fact 3
Cataract is one of the most common operated upon eye surgery in India.
Fact 4
On an average every individual going for a cataract surgery takes 117 minutes for the surgery.
Fact 5
Eyes heal quickly. With proper care, it only takes about 48 hours for the eye to repair a corneal scratch.
