Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for OMT 115 archive revision 201804

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Effective Term:
Fall 2018 through Summer 2020

Course Number:
OMT 115
Course Title:
Introduction to Ophthalmics
Credit Hours:
2
Lecture Hours:
20
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces ophthalmology, the history of ophthalmology, and key ophthalmic professions. Explores the roles and responsibilities of ophthalmic technicians and other allied health personnel in ophthalmology, industry standards and professional organizations. Covers ethics of patient care, confidentiality, privacy, scope of practice, electronic health records (EHR) and employment opportunities. Covers office efficiency, professionalism and risk management. Includes HIPAA training and confidentiality for healthcare workers.

Addendum to Course Description

Field trips on and off campus may be included. Access to a computer and D2L is required. 

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

  1. Distinguish various career paths available in the ophthalmic professions and the educational requirements for each.
  2. Demonstrate the legal ramifications of confidentiality, bioethics, and scope of practice.
  3. Use effective communication that demonstrates competence and professionalism in the clinical setting.
  4. Apply a basic understanding of how to document and navigate in an Electronic Health Record 

Course Activities and Design

This will be a two hour lecture course. Specific activities may include lecture, group projects, field trips, individual or group assignments.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

At the beginning of the course the instructor will detail the methods used to evaluate student progress and the criteria for assigning a course grade.

The methods may include one or more of the following tools: examinations, quizzes, homework assignments, research papers, and student participation. Students are expected to participate in, and contribute to, all class and team discussions and activities.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

HISTORY OF OPHTHALMICS 

  • Discuss the history of ophthalmology and allied ophthalmic personnel
  • Discuss basic visual anomalies and methods of correction.
  • Define myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism.
  • Identify the different tasks of opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, ocularists, orthoptists, contact lens fitters, ophthalmic photographers and ophthalmic medical technicians.
  • Distinguish types of medical practices such as private practice, partnerships, group practices, health maintenance organizations and government programs as well an ambulatory and outpatient surgical facilities.


OVERVIEW OF HEALTHCARE IN THE UNITED STATES DELIVERY AND PAYMENT

  • Inception of insurance in the US.
  • Medicare, private insurance, other government plans that provide health care coverage
  • Current federal healthcare policy impacting ophthalmology
     

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND TASKS OF THE OMT

  • Define the tasks of an ophthalmic medical technician functioning in an office based practice or an ambulatory surgical center.
  • State the diagnostic tests an ophthalmic medical technician will be expected to perform.
  • List skills necessary to become an ophthalmic medical technician.


OVERVIEW OF HEALTHCARE IN THE UNITED STATES DELIVERY AND PAYMENT

  • Inception of insurance in the US.
  • Medicare, private insurance, other government plans that provide health care coverage
  • Current federal healthcare policy impacting ophthalmology

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND TASKS OF THE OMT

  • Define the tasks of an ophthalmic medical technician functioning in an office based practice or an ambulatory surgical center.
  • State the diagnostic tests an ophthalmic medical technician will be expected to perform.
  • List skills necessary to become an ophthalmic medical technician.

EMPLOYMENT & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

  • State employment opportunities in an office based practice, multispecialty clinic, surgical setting or other related occupations for an ophthalmic technician.
  • Present volunteer opportunities for preschool screenings around metro area

PRESENTING A PROFESSIONAL IMAGE

  • Describe appropriate dress and appearance and note examples of inappropriate dress in the workplace.
  • Describe professional behavior and list examples of unprofessional behavior.
  • Describe proper handling of confidential information.
  • Describe medical ethics for ophthalmic medical personnel.


OFFICE EFFICIENCY, PUBLIC RELATIONS, RISK MANAGEMENT

  • Describe the primary role of the ophthalmic assistant.
  • Describe 4 ways to keep patients happy.
  • Describe AAO guidelines for handling patient calls.
  • Describe the proper procedure for noting missed appointments and cancellations on patient records.
  • Describe the proper procedure for calling patients from the waiting room.
  • Detail HIPAA and confidentiality regulations.
  • Introduction to EHR (Electronic Health Records) and how to navigate through templates specified in ophthalmology
  • Detail medical terminology and ophthalmic vocabulary that are used in Ophthalmology EHRs  

ORGANIZATIONS

  • Explain what JCAHPO, ATPO, OPS, NCLE, ABO and AAO stand for and how these
    organizations serve ophthalmic medical technicians.