What You Need to Know About Ophthalmic Medical Technician
Example of Ophthalmic Medical Technician Job Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions. May administer eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct the patient in care and use of corrective lenses.
List of Ophthalmic Medical Technician Job Duties
- Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements of the eye or surrounding tissue, such as axial length measurements.
- Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
- Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.
- Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles.
- Operate ophthalmic equipment, such as autorefractors, phoropters, tomographs, or retinoscopes.
- Take and document patients' medical histories.
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Things an Ophthalmic Medical Technician Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Ophthalmic Medical Technicians say are important on the job.
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.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Retinal Angiographer
- Optometric Technician
- Certified Ophthalmic Technician
- Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
- Ocular Care Technician
Is There Job Demand for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians?
In the United States, there were 44,500 jobs for Ophthalmic Medical Technician in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 19.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,700 new jobs for Ophthalmic Medical Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,600 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Ophthalmic Medical Technician are Arizona, Utah, and Maryland. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, South Dakota, or Rhode Island. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for an Ophthalmic Medical Technician
The typical yearly salary for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians is somewhere between $24,770 and $54,830.

Ophthalmic Medical Technicians who work in Minnesota, Massachusetts, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $36,500 |
Alaska | $46,770 |
Arizona | $40,450 |
Arkansas | $31,910 |
California | $41,890 |
Colorado | $38,030 |
Connecticut | $42,930 |
Delaware | $35,940 |
District of Columbia | $50,290 |
Florida | $36,750 |
Georgia | $35,120 |
Hawaii | $37,770 |
Idaho | $28,800 |
Illinois | $38,180 |
Indiana | $35,970 |
Iowa | $36,080 |
Kansas | $33,710 |
Kentucky | $33,640 |
Louisiana | $37,590 |
Maine | $38,180 |
Maryland | $42,510 |
Massachusetts | $48,300 |
Michigan | $37,400 |
Minnesota | $50,700 |
Mississippi | $31,020 |
Missouri | $35,400 |
Montana | $33,970 |
Nebraska | $36,840 |
Nevada | $36,030 |
New Hampshire | $42,630 |
New Jersey | $45,420 |
New Mexico | $36,290 |
New York | $34,870 |
North Carolina | $36,030 |
North Dakota | $37,520 |
Ohio | $37,590 |
Oklahoma | $34,810 |
Oregon | $42,170 |
Pennsylvania | $36,770 |
Rhode Island | $38,230 |
South Carolina | $37,310 |
South Dakota | $36,150 |
Tennessee | $36,340 |
Texas | $33,290 |
Utah | $33,840 |
Vermont | $42,610 |
Virginia | $41,340 |
Washington | $44,050 |
West Virginia | $33,360 |
Wisconsin | $40,310 |
What Tools do Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Ophthalmic Medical Technicians may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Email software
- EyeMD EMR
- MediPro Medisoft Clinical
- NaviNet Open
- ezChartWriter
- iChartPlus
- AcuityPro
- Medflow Complete
How do I Become an Ophthalmic Medical Technician?
What education or degrees do I need to become an Ophthalmic Medical Technician?

What work experience do I need to become an Ophthalmic Medical Technician?

Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Sector

The table below shows the approximate number of Ophthalmic Medical Technicians employed by various industries.

References:
Image Credit: Robert Barnett via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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