Optometric Technician
One Year Technical Diploma
Program Number:
315162 Program Website:
Program Courses offered at the following Campuses:
About
An optometric technician works under the supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist and performs:
--Patient pre-testing such as visual acuity, color vision, depth perception, pupil testing, pressure inside the eye, corneal curvature, peripheral vision and blood pressure.
--Contact lens ordering, verification and patient education. The technician may also assist the doctor in the fitting of contact lenses.
--Eyeglass selection, ordering, verification and adjustment.
Established in 1978, the Optometric Technician Program is a one-year technical diploma program that may be completed in nine months of full-time study. The program accepts new students in August.
Instructors train students to work in eye care and emphasize the unique duties required of an optometric technician to provide quality vision care services to patients. The technical training includes optometric terminology, optical properties of light, patient pretesting skills, frame and lens selection, eyeglass adjustment, contact lens patient education, ocular anatomy and physiology, visual training and practice management. Clinical experience—working directly with doctors and patients—is an important part of the curriculum.
Admissions
Requirements for Program Application
The following is required to process your application:
- High School transcript - or
- HSED/GED Test Scores - and
- All College transcripts - and
- COMPASS, ASSET, ACT or SAT test scores. Bachelors Degree waives testing.
Admission Processing Deadlines:
Fall 2010
For this program applications and credentials must be received by July 1st, 2010 to be considered for the fall semester.
View additional admission information. PDF (66.18KB)
Review the Essential Functions (PDF 319.44KB)
Program Outcomes
Program Outcomes:
- Apply technical skills to perform eye care prescreening and specialty testing procedures on patients accurately and efficiently.
- Apply technical skills to educate and assist patients with glasses and/or contact lenses to meet their eye health and visual needs.
- Perform business office procedures such as, maintain appointment schedule, maintain patient records, insurance reimbursement and billing patients.
- Demonstrate professional ethics, honesty and respect when dealing with doctors, patients and co-workers.
- Communicate clearly and professionally in both written and oral formats.
Employment
Career Potential:
- Optometric Technician
- Ophthalmic Assistant - Person assists an optometrist or ophthalmologist in the delivery of eye care. Duties may include preliminary testing procedures, dispensing of glasses and contact lenses and front office management.
- Dispensing Optician - This person specializes in the fitting and dispensing of eyewear. They may be employed by an optometrist, ophthalmologist or clinic, or own their own optical dispensary.
- Contact Lens Technician - Duties may include the ordering, verification and dispensing of contact lenses. The contact lens technician may also assist the doctor in chairside techniques of fitting contact lenses.
Additional Info
Additional Info about the Program:
Program Requirements
- Physical exam and completed Medical Physical History Form (PDF) on file prior to beginning the clinical affiliation; and
- Written proof of Adult and Child CPR certification prior to beginning the clinical affiliation.
Review additional program information on Program mission/goal and faculty.
Last Modified: November 18, 2009