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Ophthalmic assistant vs ophthalmic medical technician

The differences between ophthalmic assistants and ophthalmic medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an ophthalmic assistant and an ophthalmic medical technician. Additionally, an ophthalmic medical technician has an average salary of $44,422, which is higher than the $43,217 average annual salary of an ophthalmic assistant.

The top three skills for an ophthalmic assistant include patients, patient care and ophthalmology. The most important skills for an ophthalmic medical technician are patients, patient care, and field testing.

Ophthalmic assistant vs ophthalmic medical technician overview

Ophthalmic AssistantOphthalmic Medical Technician
Yearly salary$43,217$44,422
Hourly rate$20.78$21.36
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs21,55959,876
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4141
Years of experience22

Ophthalmic assistant vs ophthalmic medical technician salary

Ophthalmic assistants and ophthalmic medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Ophthalmic AssistantOphthalmic Medical Technician
Average salary$43,217$44,422
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $62,000Between $30,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CityVancouver, WAAndover, MN
Highest paying stateHawaiiOregon
Best paying companyEye Consultants of AtlantaOmni Eye Specialists
Best paying industryTransportationEducation

Differences between ophthalmic assistant and ophthalmic medical technician education

There are a few differences between an ophthalmic assistant and an ophthalmic medical technician in terms of educational background:

Ophthalmic AssistantOphthalmic Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesMedical Technician
Most common college--

Ophthalmic assistant vs ophthalmic medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between ophthalmic assistants' and ophthalmic medical technicians' demographics:

Ophthalmic AssistantOphthalmic Medical Technician
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 13.1% Female, 86.9%Male, 21.6% Female, 78.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between ophthalmic assistant and ophthalmic medical technician duties and responsibilities

Ophthalmic assistant example responsibilities.

  • Experience with IOP, using Tonopen, knowledge of eye drops, emails prescription and refills to pharmacy, for patients.
  • Obtain patient history to include chief complaint, past ocular history medication and allergies.
  • Check intraocular pressure by application and tonopen.
  • Perform OCT, HVF, FA/FP tests.
  • Order labs, MRI, ect as necessary.
  • Perform OCT scans, and Fluorescein Angiograms.
  • Show more

Ophthalmic medical technician example responsibilities.

  • Provide outstanding service to patients in a fast-pace environment.
  • Provide instructions to patients and family members regarding medications and treatments.
  • Perform clinic work-ups/manifest refraction utilizing EMR, program and maintain laser equipment, clinical photography, and assist physicians during surgeries.
  • Compile surgery charts verifying that consents, sign HIPAA forms, and all other necessary paperwork are include prior to procedure.
  • Greet patients and ensure accurate demographic and insurance information into their electronic chart following HiPPA compliance in a paperless practice.

Ophthalmic assistant vs ophthalmic medical technician skills

Common ophthalmic assistant skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Ophthalmology, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Color Vision, 5%
  • Triage, 4%
Common ophthalmic medical technician skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • Patient Care, 15%
  • Field Testing, 10%
  • Laser, 9%
  • Diagnostic Tests, 4%
  • Visual Fields, 3%

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