Ophthalmic technicians assist ophthalmologists by — among other things — taking medical histories, measuring eye pressure and visual acuity, operating equipment and educating patients on things like how to take their eye medications.
“Ophthalmic tech” is a catchall term often used to refer to ophthalmic assistants, ophthalmic technicians or ophthalmic technologists, but there are differences. According to the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology, the eligibility requirements to become a certified ophthalmic assistant (COA), certified ophthalmic technician (COT) or certified ophthalmic medical technologist (COMT) include various types and amounts of work experience, approved coursework and accredited training programs, as well as completion of the specific exam required for certification.
Wilmer Eye Institute employs more than 120 technicians, and is currently seeking float pool applicants to cover tech absences throughout its nine Maryland sites. Ophthalmic clinical supervisor Mike Hartnett says that working as a Wilmer float tech is both a terrific challenge and a wonderful opportunity. “Floats travel to every one of our satellites and all the downtown clinics, often on short notice. They learn how to operate all the instrumentation Wilmer has, and they get a very broad understanding of ophthalmology. Float techs also get to meet many more of their colleagues than if they just stayed in one clinic,” says Hartnett.
While there is no medical experience necessary, Hartnett stresses that float techs need to be flexible and have a can-do attitude. “Over and over, they are asked to accommodate, cope, manage, or work out some clinical knot, and they just say, ‘Sure, I’ll do it’ — and then they actually do it. They are amazing.”
New float tech recruits receive on-the-job training, and many go on to receive job offers from the clinics through which they rotate: Over 20% of the Wilmer tech force are former ‘floats.’ Float techs have also been instructors in the Howard County Community College op tech program.
“The people who do best as float techs are the ones who get bitten by the ophthalmology bug,” says Hartnett. “They just get curious about eyes and medicine, and it is really fun to listen to them chatting and relaxing at lunch, discussing the interesting cases they’ve seen.”