Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Students are assigned to one or more clinic sites for the entire term.  Each weekly rotation consists of 15-16 hours per week for 7 weeks, the clinic site(s) are selected by the course instructor.  The assignment hours for each clinic are based on clinic schedules.

Students are required to wear attire conforming to the requirements set forth by the Ophthalmic Medical Technology Program.  Apparel shall consist of  a department approved navy blue scrubs, with PCC ID badge.  These items are purchased by the student in accordance with the guidelines provided by the course instructor.

Upon successful completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate appropriate written and  oral communication skills frequently used in ophthalmology. 

2. Apply fundamental skills of patient screening, diagnostic and examination procedures in the ophthalmic clinical setting.

3. Demonstrate computer skills, scribing techniques, correct usage of ophthalmic terminology, and an ability to navigate and manage patient medical records in electronic health record or paper form.

4. Use universal precautions relevant to patient care in the clinical setting.

The goals are to enable the student to:

1. Gain experience in ophthalmic offices.

2. Make the transition from theory to practice as an ophthalmic technician.

3. Gain direct work experience with experienced clinical office personnel and observe working relationships within an ophthalmic office.

4. Participate in a local professional educational conference with the opportunity to network with other ophthalmic technicians and professionals.

• Students are assigned to clinical rotations that are selected by the course instructor. Insofar as possible, student requests for assignments will be taken into consideration. Clinical assignments will be scheduled for two to seven or eight hour shifts per week in accordance with the program schedule. Hours of assignment are based on clinic requirements and availability.  

• Students are required to wear navy blue scrubs with their PCC ID badge conforming to the requirements set forth by the PCC Ophthalmic Medical Technology Program.

Student performance is evaluated by the supervisor assigned to the student at the medical office.
The grading system utilized for the course is “Pass” or “No Pass”. In order to receive a “Pass” grade, the students must:

1. Satisfactorily complete the objectives listed for the ophthalmic technician.

2. Receive satisfactory evaluations from each of the work area supervisors.

3. Complete all of the time assigned (108 hours).

The student will demonstrate understanding of the following themes, issues, concepts, and development of the following skills:

FRONT OFFICE MEDICAL RECORDS MANAGEMENT

• Demonstrate proper methods of greeting and interviewing patients

• Demonstrate ability to handle patient telephone calls appropriately, including triage and appointment scheduling

• Perform routine front office duties such as insurance billing, reception, maintenance, and cashier

• Prepare and demonstrate ability to properly handle medical records, i.e. initiation, filing, charting, content and purging

MEDICAL OPHTHALMIC HISTORY

• Take an appropriate and complete medical and ophthalmic history

• Demonstrate ability to perform adequate historical documentation

• Transcribe obtained information into the chart succinctly and efficiently

VISUAL ACUITY

• Identify methods of measuring visual acuity in adults and children

• Demonstrate accurate recording of acuity measurements in the medical record

• Demonstrate ability to accurately measure near vision

• Define common abbreviations used in recording visual acuity

• Operate the lensometer accurately and efficiently

COMMUNICATION SKILLS, PATIENT EDUCATION AND OPHTHALMIC COUNSELING 

• Communicate effectively in the workplace

• Identify and provide care needs of diverse populations (cultural, gender, age, etc.)

• Demonstrate effective interpersonal relationship skills

• Recognize and refer to an ophthalmologist, clinic administrator, or AOP supervisor to address patient dissatisfaction

• Instruct and educate patients on ocular/systemic diseases, medications, tests, procedures, results and treatments

• Counsel and provide patient education on ophthalmic conditions, prevention, compliance, and acceptance

• Explain the effects prior to administering eye drops

• Demonstrate empathy for the patient