The Ophthalmic Medical Technician
See yourself as an eye care professional? Ophthalmologists in hospitals
and private practices all over the United States employ ophthalmic
medical technicians to assist in caring for patients with eye disease or
injury. They initiate patient exams, measure and record visual status,
perform diagnostic procedures, assist in clinical and surgical settings,
and are valuable members of the eye care team. Duke Eye Center, a
top-ten ranked ophthalmology facility, recognizes the need for
well-trained ophthalmic medical technicians, and has sponsored this
accredited, one-year, technician-level certificate course for more than
18 years.
Students enroll for 51 weeks of full-time instruction. The first two
months are devoted to a core curriculum of classroom work with practical
laboratories and hands-on experience under the guidance and supervision
of skilled clinical staff and Duke physicians. In subsequent months,
students continue to attend classes and workshops and rotate through the
Eye Center’s clinics. Students become active members of the patient care
team. Upon successful completion of the one-year Ophthalmic Medical
Technician Training Program, graduates receive a certificate from Duke
Medical Center and are qualified to apply for the Certified Ophthalmic
Technician national examination administered by the Joint Commission on
Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO).
Program Information
Curriculum
-
History taking
-
Visual field testing
-
Visual acuity testing
-
Contact lens fitting and refractometry for eye glasses
-
Lensometry
-
Ocular pharmacology
-
Keratometry
-
Color vision testing
-
Measuring eye pressure
-
Ophthalmic photography
-
Ophthalmic surgical assisting
-
General medicine and CPR
-
Ocular anatomy/physiology/disease
-
Optics
-
Eye muscle evaluation
-
Evaluation of refractive surgery candidates
-
Use of imaging devices and diagnostic instrumentation
< back to program
Financial Information
Tuition for the course is $4,500. The student is also responsible for
the cost of housing, board, books, student health fee, and medical
insurance. Due to a shortage of on-campus housing, dormitory space is
not available for Allied Health students. Off-campus housing information
is available from the Duke Community Housing Office at
communityhousing.duke.edu or call (919) 684-6711.
Students rotate to clinical sites outside of the University campus and
need transportation. The University does not provide transportation.
Financial aid through state and federal programs is available to
qualified students. Requests for information on student loans and grants
can be made at the time of application or by contacting the Office of
Financial Aid, Box 3067, DUMC, Durham, NC 27710 or calling (919)
684-6649. You may also visit their web site at http://medschool.duke.edu/modules/som_finaid/index.php?id=1.
The OMT Training Program is under the sponsorship of Duke Eye Center and
Duke School of Medicine Allied Health Programs. The program is
nationally accredited by CoA-OMP (Commission on Accreditation of
Ophthalmic Medical Programs).
< back to program
Prerequisites for Admission
Official documentation of prior educational experience is required for
applicants to the program. Applicants must have a high school diploma or
a high school equivalency certificate. Preference will be shown to
applicants who have completed college level courses and/or have some eye
care related work experience. Students must be capable of providing
adequate ophthalmic medical clinic patient care. Duke University does
not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin,
sex, age, or disabilities in its admission policies. Our spaces for this
program are very limited and we have a commitment to educate people for
long-term service in the United States. For these reasons, we do not
accept international applicants who have or will need temporary status
in the United States.
< back to program
Application Procedures
Applications must be received by March 1 of the year for which admission
is requested and must include:
-
A completed Duke
University Medical Center Allied Health application form,
including a $50 non-refundable processing fee
-
A copy of a high school diploma or successfully completed equivalency
certificate
-
Official transcript(s) from the most recent schools attended
-
Two original letters of recommendation from previous employers or
course instructors
-
A 250-word minimum essay on your reasons or motivations for wanting to
enter the program
Following the receipt of all required information, the Admissions
Committee reviews applications. Eligible applicants will be invited to
Duke Eye Center for interviews in late March and early April. During the
interview, candidates take the Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test.
Scores from this test are one of the consideration factors for
admission. It is strongly recommended that applications be submitted as
early as possible. Applicants are notified of acceptance or denial no
later than April 15 of the year for which applications are submitted.
Classes begin the first Monday in July.
< back to program
For Additional Information
The Bulletin of Duke Medical Center provides more information on the OMT
Training Program and other Allied Health programs at: registrar.mc.duke.edu.
The OMT Training Program is also listed on the Duke Eye Center website: dukeeye.org.
To request an application packet or obtain more specific information,
contact: Jo Legacki, COMT, Director, OMT Training Program, Box 3802,
Duke Eye Center, Durham, NC 27710, email Legac001@mc.duke.edu, or
call (919) 681-9157.
< back to program
 | 
