Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Students are assigned to one office for the entire term.  Each weekly rotation consists of 4 hours, the offices are selected by the course instructor.  The assignment hours for each office are based on office schedules.
Students are required to wear attire conforming to the requirements set forth by the Ophthalmic Medical Technology Program.  Apparel shall consist of  a department approved blue lab jacket embroidered with the college name, college logo and student's name.  Appropriate professional dress will be worn under the lab coat.  These items are purchased by the student in accordance with the guidelines provided by the course instructor.

Upon successful completion students should be able to:

1. Exhibit fundamental skills of patient screening in the ophthalmic clinical setting.
2. Properly handle patient medical records in a clinical setting.
3. Use universal precautions relevant to patient care in the clinical setting.

Grades and competency will be determined according to student's ability to demonstrate theoretical understanding, technical performance, and professional growth. The student must progress by assisting the ophthalmic technician or ophthalmologist in basic procedures. The student will be directly supervised at all times. Student will demonstrate acceptable patient care, and the ability to follow directions. These traits must be demonstrated satisfactorily to progress to the next level.

Assessment will be based on verbal and written progress reports at the clinical setting and in the campus laboratory. Evaluation criteria is based on daily performance, professional development, attitude, communication skills, attendance and interpersonal skills demonstrated with patients and office personnel. Students will receive an evaluation of their technical skills as well as their overall performance by the site supervisor after each practicum experience.
The grading system for the course is "Pass" or "No Pass".  In order to receive a "Pass" grade, the student must:
    1.  Satisfactorily complete the clinical rotation.
    2.  Receive a satisfactory evaluation (both clinical skills and interpersonal skills) from each of the work supervisors.
    3.  Complete all of the time assigned (36 hours).

The student will demonstrate understanding of the following themes, issues, concepts, and development of the following skills:
Themes, Concepts, Issues
Front Office/Medical Records Management
Medical Ophthalmic History
Visual Acuity
Competencies and Skills:
Front Office/Medical Records Management

• Demonstrate proper method of greeting and interviewing patients.
• Demonstrate ability to handle patient telephone calls appropriately, including triage and a appointment scheduling.
• Perform routine front office duties such as insurance billing, reception, maintenance, and cashier.
• Prepare and demonstrate ability to properly handle medical records, i.e. initiation, filing, charting, content and purging.

Medical Ophthalmic History

• Take an appropriate and complete medical and ophthalmic history.
• Demonstrate ability to perform adequate historical documentation.
• Transcribe obtained information into the chart succinctly and efficiently.

Visual Acuity

• Identify methods of measuring visual acuity in adults and children.
• Demonstrate accurate recording of acuity measurements in the medical record.
• Demonstrate ability to accurately measure near vision.
• Define common abbreviations used in recording visual acuity.
• Operate the lensometer accurately and efficiently.