Programs handbooks

Eye Technician: Standards and procedures

Procedures

Lab requirements and expectations
  1. The laboratory area (JH 115) is available to students only during their scheduled lab time or class time Monday through Friday.
  2. Lab use is on a structured basis. Equipment will be available during lab and/or class times as required by class work.
  3. Beverages (except water) and food are not permitted in the laboratory or in any PCC classroom except under certain circumstances approved by the program.
  4. The laboratory is a work area only. Please be considerate of other students by working as quietly as possible.
  5. Students must assume responsibility for their personal property. Purses, briefcases and other valuables should never be left unattended in the laboratory, in any college classroom or other college facility. The staff cannot be responsible for the personal property of the students.
  6. Each student is responsible for maintaining a neat work area in the laboratory. All equipment and books must be returned to their proper place at the conclusion of class or lab session. Lab cleanup is part of the student responsibility.
  7. Students are responsible for reporting equipment breakdowns to the lab instructor.
Laboratory cleaning protocol
  1. The laboratory and lecture halls, the doors are to be left wide open to circulate fresh into the room.
  2. Wearing gloves is required when coming in contact with the patient (ex: holding lids).
  3. Wearing a face mask will be required when indicated by the instructor.
  4. Each workstation must be wiped down with program-provided disinfecting wipes before switching turns, before partnering with a new partner, and at the end of class/lab session.
  5. Students are to maintain the practice of cleaning all surface areas with program-provided disinfecting wipes, including countertops and chairs, between each patient, and at the end of every lab session.
  6. When switching exam lanes, all of the surfaces that come in contact with the patient or the technician must be wiped down with program-provided disinfecting wipes. Instructors are to provide clear guidelines for cleaning  all diagnostic equipment in the lab.
  7. At the end of a class/lab session, all of the surfaces touched must be wiped down, and the air must be sanitized with a few sprays of alcohol.
Professional objectives

Theoretical knowledge, technical skills, and interpersonal relations and professionalism provide the cornerstones for success as an ophthalmic medical technician. Students must demonstrate competence in each of these areas to become competent certified ophthalmic technicians.

Knowledge

Objectives related to knowledge and application of knowledge in the ophthalmic clinical setting includes:

  1. Effective communication, including writing, reading, listening, and oral communication.
  2. Understanding of facts and principles related to ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical procedures.
  3. Application of knowledge to working situations.
  4. Recognition of problems, errors in performance, and discrepancies in results.
  5. Problem-solving and analysis leading to appropriate course of action.
Skills

The student will demonstrate the following skills with increasing ease through the sequence of ophthalmic courses:

  1. Improvement in accuracy, speed, and precision.
  2. Organization of work, as demonstrated by logical workflow, productivity and economy of time, and materials.
  3. Safe, skillful, and orderly technique with good attention to details of the test procedures.
  4. Manual dexterity, coordination and ease in handling equipment with a minimum of mishaps and abuse.
  5. Maintenance of medical records and reports that are complete, timely, accurate, and legible with good attention to established protocols.
Interpersonal skills and professionalism

Interpersonal skills and professionalism are essential for the ophthalmic medical technician in providing high quality patient care and in performing as a member of the health care team. The following criteria are evaluated for each student:

  1. Interest, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.
  2. Initiative and motivation as demonstrated by independence in performing routine procedures, preparation before class, decreasing need for supervision, willingness to go beyond the required assignments, and recognition of opportunities to improve quality and productivity of work.
  3. Adaptability to stress as shown by appropriate composure during stressful and/or new situations, and flexibility in adjusting to varying situations with compromising individual integrity.
  4. Cooperation, courtesy, interpersonal sensitivity, respect for the difference and needs of others, and a team spirit in personal relations with other students, clinical staff and instructors.
  5. Professional attitude as shown by an appropriate level of confidence and a positive outlook toward work and other people.
  6. Cleanliness and orderliness as seen on one’s personal hygiene, professional appearance and maintenance of the work environment.
  7. Integrity as demonstrated by the admission and documentation of errors, recognition of the potential danger of short cuts, and the maintenance of patient and co-worker confidentiality.
  8. Responsibility and dependability as measured by punctuality, attendance, and reliability of work.
  9. Positive response to supervision and willingness to accept constructive criticism.
  10. Perseverance and diligence in completing all assigned tasks and work through difficulties until acceptable results are achieved.
  11. Appropriate use of personal electronic devices in classes, labs, and clinical rotations.

Ethics and conduct

In accepting admission into the Eye Technician program, the student commits to the generally understood ethics of the healthcare field and specifically to the ethics of their chosen profession. Ethics will be addressed throughout the course of study.

An important aspect of professional ethics is the maintenance of the confidential status of patient medical records and physician/facility business. This applies to information obtained in the classroom, in the laboratory, or during practicum education affiliations. Confidential information must not be disclosed to unauthorized individuals, including family and friends.

Students are expected to complete work on an independent basis. Asking another student or graduate to share projects, papers, modules, or tests is considered unethical behavior. It is equally unethical to share materials with a student who intends to cheat. Please refer to the College policies section.

Unethical or unprofessional conduct will prompt a disciplinary review process. See Due process for violations.

College policies

Students are required to read, understand, and follow college and program policies, standards, and ethical guidelines. In addition to reviewing the policies linked in this section, any additional requirements described in the section for one’s program of study should be reviewed and followed. Students assigned to clinical sites are required to learn and follow the policies, rules, and regulations required by the site. Students are encouraged to reach out to program faculty and staff with any questions or clarification needed.

Comprehensive links to college policies can be found on the following webpages:

The policies of particular relevance to students include:

Conduct, professional standards, and ethics

It is especially important for students to comply with the following policies regarding conduct, professional standards, and ethics.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the HIPAA Privacy Rule to implement the requirements of HIPAA (Centers for Disease Control Public Health Law). Under this law, patients’ health information is protected. This includes individually identifiable health information that is transmitted or maintained in any form or medium (electronic, oral, or paper).

What does this mean for Healthcare and Emergency Professions students?

In the course of their study, healthcare and emergency professions students will work in patient-focused settings, which could include providing patient care at the dental clinic, at off-site clinics, with ambulance services, and in hospitals, and/or could include responsibilities for managing patient data. Additionally, patient data and images, including radiographic images, will be part of the classroom and lab instruction. Often, students will act as patients during lab and practice sessions and confidentiality policies will apply. Students will have access to confidential patient data in these settings and are expected to:

  • protect patient and student confidentiality at all times,
  • comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA),
  • strictly follow all policies and procedures at the facilities in which off-site clinicals, internships, practicums, and co-ops are held,
  • uphold the professional ethics guidelines of their field of study, and
  • adhere to Portland Community College’s confidentiality policies, including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Specific guidelines related to HIPAA and confidentiality include, but are not limited to:

  • Any information (including images, and written or verbal) related to patient care is strictly confidential and is:
    • not to be shared, copied, or discussed with anyone outside of the direct care of the patient, and
    • not to be removed from a healthcare facility or service unless written permission has been given by the clinical agency to remove such information. Information may be disclosed only as defined in HIPAA guidelines for educational purposes.
  • Radiographic images that are used for image critiques, case study, or lab sessions must have all patient and hospital identification removed. Students attending critique sessions away from their home sites may bring radiographic images only on approved devices that follow HIPAA requirements. No images taken with cell phones are allowed.
  • Photographs, recordings, and videos of patients must never be taken, whether a patient gives permission or not. If patient images are being considered for an educational purpose, the student must check with the instructor who will determine policies at the practicum site.
  • Absolutely no reference to a patient, even if de-identified, should ever be shared electronically via email outside of MyPCC email or on social networking sites such as Facebook. The instructor may direct students to share select de-identified patient information via MyPCC email or D2L for course preparation or learning purposes.
  • No facility or facility staff information should be shared via personal email, on social networking sites, or by other means outside the learning environment.
Required training
  • Read about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
  • Students are required to complete a HIPAA training module through the college’s third-party vendor, CastleBranch.
  • Ongoing training and guidance will be provided as appropriate throughout the instructional courses.
  • Students participating in off-site clinicals, internships, practicums, and co-ops are required to attend their clinical site’s HIPAA training to become educated on the facility’s confidentiality policies and procedures.
Violations of HIPAA and confidentiality

Any action that violates patient or student confidentiality will have long-lasting consequences for the student’s career and a serious impact on their standing in the program. All actions will be addressed quickly and will prompt a review process in which program probation or dismissal is considered. See Due process for violations. The off-site clinical, internship, practicum, or co-op facility could impose further disciplinary actions, including immediate dismissal from the site.

Dress code

The purpose of these guidelines is to establish clear dress code and appearance standards to maintain a safe, professional, and inclusive environment at Portland Community College (PCC) in the Healthcare and Emergency Professions Pathway (HEP). These requirements ensure safety and infection control, as well as prepare students for clinical and professional settings. These guidelines are in accordance with applicable PCC policies. Students participating in clinicals, internships, practicums, co-ops, and other external educational settings may need to adhere to additional procedures and guidelines set by their assigned facility.

Dress code
  • Attire:
    • Clothing should be clean, neat, and appropriate for an academic setting.
    • Attire should not have offensive language, images, or messages in accordance with the college’s Nondiscrimination and Non-harassment Policy.
    • Footwear should be safe and suitable for the lab and clinical environment. Closed-toe shoes made of leather or a similar material that is resistant to needles and liquids are required.
    • Hats are not permitted in clinical settings (hair coverings worn for religious purposes are not an issue).
  • Uniform standards:
    • Certain programs may require uniforms or specific attire. These requirements must be followed.
    • Uniforms and shoes should be clean with no wrinkles or tears, properly fitted, and worn as intended.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
    • Students in labs, workshops, and other hands-on environments must wear appropriate PPE as specified by their instructors.
    • PPE may include items such as safety glasses, gloves, lab coats, and closed-toe shoes. There may be additional/different PPE requirements based on the nature of the program.
Appearance
  • Grooming standards:
    • Students are expected to practice good personal hygiene.
    • Hair, including facial hair, should be clean and well-maintained.
      • Hair should be secured to prevent it from getting caught in equipment or interfering with the task at hand.
      • Facial hair should be groomed to ensure a proper seal with an N-95 mask, if required.
    • Students should avoid strong fragrances that may cause discomfort or allergic reactions.
    • Nails: Federal and state laws specify that artificial nails should not be worn when having direct contact with patients. The maximum nail length is 1/4 inch and nails should not pose a risk of tearing gloves. Nail polish, if worn, should be tidy and unchipped for hygiene purposes.
    • Ensure hands are clean and washed before touching or performing clinical procedures.
  • Tattoos and piercings:
    • Visible tattoos that conflict with professional standards and college policies may need to be covered.
    • Piercings are allowed provided they do not interfere with tasks, such as patient care. In some settings, jewelry that could get caught on equipment and pose a safety risk is not allowed. Please refer to program-specific requirements for further details.
Accommodation and exceptions

In cases where assigned facilities for clinicals, internships, practicums, and co-ops have specific dress and personal appearance codes, those regulations and any applicable process for accommodations will be used by the facility. For circumstances when PCC is the decision maker, the college will provide reasonable accommodations or modifications that do not fundamentally alter any program standard or compromise safety, health, and hygiene standards.

All students are responsible for adhering to the appearance and dress code standards of the Healthcare and Emergency Professions pathway, program, and the clinical setting (if applicable). For safety reasons, students who do not comply with the dress code will be asked to leave the course session to correct their attire and return only after making the necessary changes. Attendance and tardiness rules will apply when such corrections are necessary. Students not in compliance with these standards could be subject to a disciplinary review process. See Due process for violations.

Program-specific requirements

In addition to the Healthcare & Emergency Professions pathway dress code and appearance standards, Eye Technician program students are required to adhere to the guidelines below.

  • Uniform requirements:
    • Wear navy blue scrubs and the PCC student ID badge for all Eye Technician courses and outside course trips.
    • For the ophthalmic professional meeting, business dress attire is required as if attending an interview.
  • Jacket and layering:
    • Hoodies and jackets are not permitted over scrubs.
    • A scrub warm-up jacket is acceptable, as are long-sleeved undershirts in solid white, black, or navy. No other colors or prints are allowed.
    • Layer your uniform to stay comfortable, as classroom and lab temperatures may vary.
  • Scrubs:
    • Scrubs must be solid navy and can be any cut or style, as long as they fit appropriately.

Attendance

Potential employers use attendance and promptness as two indicators of dependability and employability. The total class attendance percentage will be part of the final program evaluation for job references. Attending classes regularly and promptly is an important aspect of the training. Irregular attendance and habitual tardiness are indicative of an attitudinal problem which might carry over to the job situation. The highly integrated structure of the curriculum requires regular and prompt attendance for successful achievement in the program.

Since absenteeism adversely affects students’ grades, it could make it difficult to maintain the minimum GPA required for Financial Aid eligibility. Additionally, if students are unable to pass a course and have to repeat the course, Financial Aid will not pay for the same course twice. Adherence to the following attendance requirements is therefore important:

  1. Absence from lecture classes: The student is responsible for completing all course work regardless of absenteeism. The student is responsible for acquiring the materials from the instructor in D2L Brightspace.
  2. Absence from labs: All lab exercises/modules must be completed for a passing grade. Excessive absences will affect the students’ grade. Labs are open only as scheduled unless prior arrangements have been made.
  3. Absence from tests/presentations: Absences from exams or assigned oral presentations may result in a score of “0” for the test or assignment.
  4. Accumulated absence: Attendance of less than 70% of classes will result in a failing grade (“F”). Exceptions to this standard are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor and/or department chair.
  5. Tardiness: Tardiness is defined as arriving in class after the instructor has started or leaving class before it has officially ended. There is no “excused” tardiness; three late arrivals will constitute one absence, four times tardy will result in a drop of one letter grade. Instances in which a student is 20 minutes late or more will be counted as absences. Leaving early and showing up late are each counted as tardies. Children are not allowed in the classroom or labs.
  6. Absence from practicum/clinical site: All time lost from practicum/clinical activities must be made up. Time rescheduled will be only at the convenience of the sites. In the event that a student cannot make it to a rotation, the student is responsible for promptly notifying the course instructor or department chair, as well as the practicum/clinical site supervisor.

Communication

Personal and professional communication

Students in the Healthcare & Emergency Professions pathway are trained to become professionals in their chosen careers. In these roles, they will have the privilege of interacting with a diverse group of people. During the course of their professional education, students will strengthen their personal communication skills to improve effectiveness with people. Communication involves interactions between students, patients, faculty, staff, and guests located on campus or at off-campus learning sites (agencies, clinical facilities, or other settings). Respect for individual differences in opinions, beliefs, gender, lifestyle practices, religious, racial, cultural, or social backgrounds should be demonstrated by using effective listening and communication skills, as well as showing respect for physical space and privacy issues.

Communication methods and standards
  • Email: The primary mode for program and instructor communication will be via students’ PCC email address. See PCC’s Communication Policy.
  • D2L Brightspace: Communications specific to each course will be delivered via announcements and postings in D2L Brightspace learning platform.
  • Office hours: Full-time instructors are available for selected in-person and virtual office hours each week. Appointments are made through the individual instructor.
  • Chain of communication:
    • Course syllabus and D2L Brightspace: Refer to the course syllabus and D2L Brightspace for questions and concerns related to course requirements.
    • Course instructor: Refer questions and concerns directly to the assigned faculty instructor. Students who have difficulties with individual faculty should first aim to resolve the issues directly with that faculty. For clinical experiences, reach out to the assigned clinical instructor and clinical coordinator, if applicable.
    • If the preceding steps have been followed without questions or concerns being adequately addressed, the student may next contact the faculty department chair (FDC).
    • Individual questions, concerns, and comments about the program overall can be discussed with the program dean, as escalated by FDC.
    • There are opportunities for students to provide feedback about courses throughout the year through course evaluations. Some programs invite student representation on committees.
Use of electronic devices

Use of cellular phones or other electronic devices that may interfere with learning activities are prohibited during classroom, laboratory, and clinical laboratory practice activities and examinations, unless features such as amplification, magnification, or transcription tools are used as learning aids. Students should limit use of such devices to breaks and turn them off (or silence them) upon return. Use of cell phones for recording or taking images in the clinical setting is prohibited as it can be a HIPAA violation (see the HIPAA section). Permission from fellow students, faculty, and staff is required prior to any pictures taken on campus.

Social media

Students are expected to adhere to the following guidelines in order to maintain the professional and ethical standards of the program and the clinical affiliates:

  • Do not post anything that would violate FERPA (student privacy) and HIPAA (see the HIPAA section) (patient privacy) regulations. Activities that occur during clinical rotations or that involve patients are not to be shared.
  • Photos which contain any animal not owned by the student or activities surrounding the use of these animals in classes or labs shall not be posted to social media accounts unless as related to adoption, or when given express permission by the owner of the animal.
  • Be mindful of the language used when discussing the affiliate, program, fellow students, faculty, or staff, and avoid any comments that could be perceived as derogatory or harmful. Instead, address concerns by following the Grievance process.
  • Do not ask to connect with instructors on social networks in order to maintain an appropriate professional relationship. Upon graduation, instructors and students may connect if all parties agree.
  • Use good judgment before posting personal pictures. Be aware that information you post online may be available to anyone, and could be misconstrued.
  • See related college policies and guidelines:

Nothing in this social media section is intended to restrict any expressive activity that is legally protected.

Program-specific guidelines

The Eye Technician program uses social media to keep up-to-date with communications with clinical partners, prospective students, past and current students, and the general public and community. The program is proud to highlight students’ activities and projects. From time-to-time the Eye Technician program may request current students to be photographed for future publications, the website, or social media.

Verbal consent will always be asked before creating any public posting. The Eye Technician program will not coerce or force any student into obtaining a photograph without their verbal permission. For printed or video materials that are produced by PCC, media consent forms will be signed by the student(s) before proceeding.

Posting images or comments about other students without their verbal permission is strictly prohibited. See the college’s Confidentiality and Privacy Policies. Using social media as a positive platform enhances the learning experience for the Eye Technician program, by helping students keep up-to-date on industry articles, promoting networking opportunities with other ophthalmic professionals, and encouraging the sharing of learning experiences. This also shows students how to present a professional image through social media.

Students are encouraged to participate in and follow the public Eye Technician social media pages:

Employment while in program

The number of hours of employment while attending the Eye Technician program is dependent upon the student’s ability. Part-time employment of more than 15 to 20 hours a week is discouraged. Part-time employment at an ophthalmic practice is encouraged and may count toward required hours in Eye Technician practicum as long as this is approved by the instructor the student produces COT-level work, and the guidelines of the Eye Technician Paid Practicum Attestation are followed.

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Fieldwork