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Administrative

AFSC Entry Requirements

Demographics

Males: 134

Females: 87

Total: 221

Community College of the Air Force Degree

Ophthalmic Technician

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Duties and Responsibilities

Performs ophthalmic services. Assists the health care provider in the examination and treatment of patients by performing visual tests or procedures.

Records patient case history, conducts visual screening tests such as visual acuity, cover test, pupillary testing, color vision, depth perception, visual field charting, corneal topography, and tonometry for analysis and interpretation. Takes ophthalmic photographs. Administers ophthalmic drops and ointments and applies ocular dressings.

4V0X1 specific: Orders, fits, and dispenses military eyewear. Instructs patients on contact lens procedures.  Assists air crew members in aviator contact lens and night vision goggle program. Assist personnel in occupational vision and refractive surgery programs.

4V0X1S specific: Performs as an ophthalmic surgical assistant and prepares preoperative and postoperative patients. Prepares injectable ophthalmic anesthetics and antibiotics. Assists with suture removal and obtains eye cultures. Performs ancillary testing such as ocular ultrasonography, retinal imaging, slit lamp photography, and fluorescein angiography.

Manages ophthalmic resources. Determines requirements for supplies, equipment, and personnel.

Develops and maintains a working environment to provide timely, economical, and operational support. Directs budget and manages ophthalmic activities. Ensures periodic maintenance and calibration checks on clinic diagnostic equipment are completed.

Manages ophthalmic administrative services. Directs safety, infection control, training, and other clinic specific programs.

Coordinates technical and administrative activities of ophthalmic services to ensure effective and efficient use of ophthalmic personnel. Executes self-inspections, reviews reports and records for accuracy and compliance.

Reports findings and service’s activities. Establishes or recommends ophthalmic standards, regulations, policies, or procedures to ensure quality patient care in a safe, efficient, and effective ophthalmic environment.

Specialty Qualifications

Knowledge is mandatory of: 

• Ocular anatomy.
• Ophthalmic medications.
• Visual physiology, optics.
• Use and maintenance of ophthalmic instruments and testing equipment.
• Ophthalmic and medical instructions.
• Medical terminology.
• Ophthalmic technology.
• Asepsis.
• Ocular referrals and emergency medical treatment.
• Patient transportation.
• Medical ethics.
• Medical administration.
• Medical service organization and function.
• Surgical instruments and equipment.
• Ophthalmic injectable medications.
• Anesthetic solutions.
• Ocular disorders.

• 4V031/S. Completion of the Medical Education Training Campus(METC) Ophthalmic Technician program.
• 4V031S. Completion of the basic ophthalmology surgical course.

• Qualification in and possession of AFSC 4V031/S.
• Proficiency through on-the-job training of all applicable optometry tasks listed in 4V0X1/S CFETP.
• Experience in caring for and treating ophthalmic patients and in operating and maintaining ophthalmic equipment such as lensometers, vision screening instruments, visual field measuring instruments, tonometers, and fitting optical and ophthalmic devices.

• Qualification in and possession of AFSC 4V031/S. Proficiency through on-the-job training of all applicable ophthalmology tasks listed in 4V0X1/S CFETP.
• Experience as an ophthalmic surgical assistant in preparing preoperative and postoperative patients; injectable ophthalmic anesthetics and antibiotics; performing suture removal and obtaining eye cultures.
• Experience in performing ancillary testing such as ocular ultrasonography, retinal imaging, slit lamp photography, and fluorescein angiography.

• Qualification in and possession of AFSC 4V051/S.
• Experience performing or supervising ophthalmic functions such as caring for and treating patients, operating ophthalmic testing equipment, and fitting optical and ophthalmic devices.

• Proficiency through on-the-job training of all applicable ophthalmology taskslisted in 4V0X1 CFETP.

• Qualification in and possession of AFSC 4V071/S. Also, experience managing optometry or ophthalmology activities.

• Vision correctable to at least 20/30 in either eye.
• No detectable central scotoma in either eye with best acuity.
• For entry into shredout, prior qualification and possession of AFSC 4V031.

• No record of emotional instability according to the provisions of AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• No limitations of continuous standing according to provisions of AFI 48-123.
• No latex sensitivity or dermatosis resulting in rashes or inflammation of the skin preventing surgical task completion.
• Medically qualified in accordance with AFI 48-137, Respiratory Protection Program.

• American Optometric Association (AOA), with a minimum certification level of Certified Paraoptometric Technician (CPOT) or
• Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) with a minimum certification level of Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA).
• Award of certification is required within 24 months of obtaining 5-skill level.

• AOA with a minimum certification level of CPOT, or
• JCAHPO with a minimum certification level of COA.

• AOA with a minimum certification level of CPOT, or
• JCAHPO with a minimum certification level of COA.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs, must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.

Civilian Career Options

High Salary: $44,090

Low Salary: $34,440

• Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians: $34,440
• Ophthalmic Medical Technicians: $37,940
• Ophthalmic Medical Technologists: $44,090
• Opticians, Dispensing: $38,530

***This information was retrieved from Veterans Job Matcher at CareerOneStop (www.careeronestop.org), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.

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