Offers structured clinical experiences in which students observe and participate in selective practical activities at affiliating ophthalmology clinics. Discusses skill development in charting, communicating with patients, performing non-invasive tests, calibrating, and maintaining ophthalmic equipment typical to a standard exam room. Requires students to document 240 clinical hours.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
- Administrative and Clerical Duties.
- History Taking.
- Communication Skills.
- Basic Skills.
- Color Vision.
- Pupil Function.
- Contact Lenses.
- Equipment Maintenance and Repair.
- Medical Ethics and Legal Issues.
At the completion of this course, the student will demonstrate achievement of core competencies of an ophthalmic technician as outlined by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) and the Commission on Accreditation of Ophthalmic Medical Programs (CoA-OMP) as follows:
- Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors.
- Perform competently within the scope of training and education.
- Obtain and document the patient’s medical history through oral interview and records.
- Distinguish between subjective and objective components of a complete medical eye examination.
- Examine a patient’s record and extract information pertinent to the current appointment.
- Communicate appropriately in verbal and written form with patients and professional staff.
- Maintain patient confidentiality.
- Identify issues related to insurance and reimbursement.
- Apply correct ophthalmic terminology and abbreviations to basic body structures and functions.
- Administer and record specified topical medications at the direction of the physician.
- Prepare examination rooms and maintain ophthalmic clinical equipment.
- Perform measurements of visual acuity.
- Perform lensometry of spectacle lenses.
- Measure interpupillary distance and pupil size.
- Measure color vision using pseudoisochromatic plates.
- Perform manual and automated visual field testing.
Assessment and Requirements
Assessment of academic achievement will include performance during formative and summative practical examinations and clinic logs.
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Students will be introduced to the clinical environment and will demonstrate proficiency in obtaining medical information and performing selected clinical tasks.
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Instructors (or their designees) reserve the right to require students to provide proper picture identification for test taking, graded papers or projects or other appropriate purposes.
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Students must pass this course with a “C” or better to remain in the Ophthalmin Technology Program.
- Textbooks to be determined by program faculty.