Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Field trips on and off campus may be included. Access to a computer and D2L is required. 

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

1. Distinguish various career paths available in the ophthalmic professions and the educational requirements for each.

2. Explain the legal ramifications of confidentiality, bioethics, and scope of practice.

3. Demonstrate effective communication that conveys competence and professionalism in the clinical setting.

Specific activities may include lectures, group projects,  individual or group assignments.

At the beginning of the course the instructor will detail the methods used to evaluate student progress and the criteria for assigning a course grade.

The methods may include one or more of the following tools: examinations, quizzes, homework assignments, research papers, and student participation. Students are expected to participate in, and contribute to, all class and team discussions and activities.

CLINIC AND PERSONNEL FUNCTIONS

• Describe the professionals who make up the eye care team

• Identify the general responsibilities of AOP 

• Define the various levels of training and certification levels for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians

o Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA), Entry Level 

o Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT), Intermediate Level 

o Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT), Advanced Level 

• Identify available ophthalmic services

• Identify the scope of practice, training, and education of members of the eye care team

• Identify continuing education and professional development opportunities for AOP  

MEDICAL ETHICS, REGULATORY AND LEGAL ISSUES 

• Specify procedures for ensuring the confidentiality of health information

• Describe government and institutional rules and regulations for patient confidentiality and safety 

• Describe law/policies for the control, use, and release of health information including corrective lenses and contact lens prescriptions

• State the ethical and legal Standards for the profession 

• Demonstrate effective documentation skills (e.g., coding, scribing/charting/reporting)

• Describe the informed consent process 

• Identify professional consequences of performing unprofessionally

COMMUNITY HEALTH EYE CARE 

• Identify the major global and local causes of reversible and irreversible blindness and vision loss

• Define vision impairment and blindness as described by government and the World Health Organization 

• Identify local resources (health, education and rehabilitation) available to assist visually impaired patients

• Describe a team approach to eye care

• Describe basic features of community eye care programs (e.g., cataract, surgical)

• Develop and deliver health education information within the local community

• Identify government, non-government, and community-based strategies and programs to improve utilization of eye care services

HISTORY OF OPHTHALMICS 

• Discuss the history of ophthalmology and allied ophthalmic personnel

• Discuss basic visual anomalies and methods of correction

• Identify the different tasks of opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, ocularists, orthoptists, contact lens fitters, ophthalmic photographers and ophthalmic medical technicians

• Distinguish types of medical practices such as private practice, partnerships, group practices, health maintenance organizations and government programs as well as ambulatory and outpatient surgical facilities

OVERVIEW OF HEALTHCARE IN THE UNITED STATES DELIVERY AND PAYMENT

• The inception of insurance in the US

• Medicare, private insurance, other government plans that provide health care coverage

• Current federal healthcare policy impacting ophthalmology
   

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND TASKS OF THE OMT

• Define the tasks of an ophthalmic medical technician functioning in an office-based practice or an ambulatory surgical center

• State the diagnostic tests an ophthalmic medical technician will be expected to perform

• List skills necessary to become an ophthalmic medical technician

OVERVIEW OF HEALTHCARE IN THE UNITED STATES DELIVERY AND PAYMENT

• The inception of insurance in the US

• Medicare, private insurance, other government plans that provide health care coverage

• Current federal healthcare policy impacting ophthalmology

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND TASKS OF THE OMT

• Define the tasks of an ophthalmic medical technician functioning in an office-based practice or an ambulatory surgical center

• State the diagnostic tests an ophthalmic medical technician will be expected to perform

• List skills necessary to become an ophthalmic medical technician

EMPLOYMENT & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• State employment opportunities in an office-based practice, multispecialty clinic, surgical setting or other related occupations for an ophthalmic technician

• Present volunteer opportunities for preschool screenings around metro area

PRESENTING A PROFESSIONAL IMAGE

• Describe appropriate dress and appearance and note examples of inappropriate dress in the workplace

• Describe professional behavior and list examples of unprofessional behavior

• Describe proper handling of confidential information

• Describe medical ethics for ophthalmic medical personnel

OFFICE EFFICIENCY, PUBLIC RELATIONS, RISK MANAGEMENT

• Describe the primary role of the ophthalmic assistant

• Describe 4 ways to keep patients happy

• Describe AAO guidelines for handling patient calls

• Describe the proper procedure for noting missed appointments and cancellations on patient records

• Describe the proper procedure for calling patients from the waiting room

• Detail HIPAA and confidentiality regulations

ORGANIZATIONS

• Explain what iJCAHPO, ATPO, OPS, NCLE, ABO and AAO stand for and how these organizations serve ophthalmic medical technicians