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Are you looking for a career in the medical field? If so, you may be wondering how to become an optometrist tech.
Optometrist techs play a vital role in providing eye care to patients. They work closely with optometrists and ophthalmologists to provide the best possible care for their patients.
If you’re interested in becoming an optometrist tech, there are a few things you need to know. In this blog post, we’ll
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Introduction
An optometrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the eye and visual system. Optometrists provide comprehensive eye care, including prescribing glasses or contact lenses, detecting and treating glaucoma and other diseases of the eye, and providing pre- and post-operative care for patients undergoing LASIK surgery or other vision correction procedures.
What is an optometrist tech?
An optometrist tech is an assistant to an optometrist that helps with various tasks in the office such as greeting patients, scheduling appointments, handling insurance paperwork, and pre-testing patients. Most optometrist techs have completed a formal training program and are certified by the American Optometric Association. Some states also require optometrist techs to be licensed.
What are the responsibilities of an optometrist tech?
An optometrist tech is responsible for the day-to-day operations of an optometrist’s office, including scheduling appointments, ordering supplies, and maintaining patient records. They may also assist with vision testing and provide customer service.
In order to become an optometrist tech, you will need to complete a postsecondary education program and obtain a state-issued license.
What are the skills required to be an optometrist tech?
While there are no formal education requirements to become an optometrist tech, some employers may prefer candidates who have completed a postsecondary education program in ophthalmology or optometry technology. Although not required, certification may also be beneficial in helping you stand out among other job applicants. The American Board of Optometry offers the Certified Optometric Technician (COT) credential. To earn this credential, you must pass an exam that covers topics such as anatomy and physiology of the eye, optics, contact lenses and ocular disease.
What are the steps to become an optometrist tech?
Most optometrist techs have an associate’s degree in ophthalmic medical technology. A few states require optometrist assistants to be licensed.
Education
Most optometrist techs have an associate’s degree in ophthalmic medical technology from a community college or technical school. Programs typically take 2 years to complete and include classroom and laboratory instruction in anatomy, physiology, optics, and the use of ophthalmic instruments and devices. Some programs offer clinical experience in addition to classroom instruction. Clinical experience may be gained through externships or cooperative education programs, in which students alternate periods of classroom study with periods of paid work in the industry.
A fewstates require optometrist assistants to be licensed. Some states have certification programs for optometric technicians, but certification is not required for employment. Certification programs are offered by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology and the American Optometric Association’s National Examining Board of Optometric Examiners. To be eligible for certification, candidates must have graduated from an accredited program and must pass an examination
What are the job outlook and salary for an optometrist tech?
The job outlook for optometrist techs is positive, with a projected job growth of 11% from 2018 to 2028.* The median annual salary for optometrist techs was $32,720 in 2018.*
To become an optometrist tech, you will need to complete an accredited optometric technician program. These programs typically take one to two years to complete and may offer an associate’s degree or a certificate upon completion. Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) national exam to become certified.
