Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon successful completion of the course students should be able to:

• Demonstrate setting up a minor surgical suite, utilizing universal precautions and infection control measures  to safely assist the ophthalmic surgeon during surgery, maintaining clinical asepsis.

• Identify ophthalmic instruments and apply proper care and sterilization.

• Demonstrate necessary safety precautions required for laser procedures.

• Define hazardous and biohazardous waste and describe acceptable methods for waste disposal.

• Allocate medications correctly.

• Implement Government or Institutional Safety and Regulatory programs, if applicable 

The instructor will outline the methods used to evaluate student progress and the criteria for assigning a grade at the beginning of the course. Assessment methods may include written and practical examination, written report, quizzes, and laboratory modules. Evaluation of problem solving skills, team work, attendance, laboratory performance and communication skills may also be included. All laboratory exercises must be completed satisfactorily to achieve a passing grade.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

• universal precautions 

• Asepsis and sterile technique

• Scrub, gown and glove procedures

• Surgical prep and ophthalmic draping

• Equipment, supplies and medications

• Care and handling of microsurgical instruments

• Surgical patient care

• Vital sign measurement

• Laser technology

• Highlights of ocular surgeries

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

• Define principles of aseptic technique

• Discuss the importance of surgical site identification

• List methods of disinfection and sterilization including preparation and cleaning

• Demonstrate how to prepare items for sterilization

  • Explain guidelines for packing and loading the sterilizer

• Describe operating room sanitation procedures

  • List sources of contamination and infection control measures

• Demonstrate practical applications of sterile technique

  • Explain all aspects of a sterile field

  • Outline methods of opening and distributing sterile goods

  • Define terminology associated with asepsis and sterile technique

• Review historical concepts and background of infection control

• Describe types of operating room attire

• Define the role of a surgical scrub technician

  • Perform the surgical scrub procedure

• Demonstrate gowning and gloving one self and others

  • Define the rationale for and demonstrate the procedure for removing gown and gloves aseptically

• Demonstrate positioning of patients for ophthalmic procedures

• Use aseptic technique and universal precautions to draw up medication

• Define intra-operative care

• Perform pre-surgical preparation of the eye and face

  • Demonstrate the general principles of draping

• Describe equipment and supplies used in common ophthalmic surgical procedures

  • Describe the types and sizes of eye suture materials and needles

  • Outline suggested basic and emergency eye instrument trays

  • Describe medications commonly used in eye procedures

• Describe techniques for cleaning instruments in the operating room

  • State the steps in preparing a set of instruments

  • State the steps in cleaning and sterilizing instruments

  • Describe the proper care of gem blades

  • State ways to store surgical instruments

Minor Sx

• Clean, sterilize, and prepare instruments for minor office surgical procedures 

• Assist the physician with office-based minor surgical procedures 

• Set up and assist in non-refractive laser surgery (argon, YAG, etc.) 

• Maintain clinical asepsis and universal precautions 

Major Sx

• Apply proper sterile technique procedures to ensure safety/security 

• Maintain surgical asepsis and universal precautions 

• Maintain surgical instruments/equipment

• Identify questions commonly asked by patients regarding ocular surgery

• Discuss the various types of anesthesia for ocular surgery

• State the technician's role in the care of a postoperative patient

• List the four components of measuring vital signs

• Demonstrate proper measurement of pulse rate, respiration rate, body temperature and blood pressure

  • List the normal rate of pulse, respiration, body temperature and the normal values of blood pressure

• Demonstrate the workup of a refractive surgery patient

  • Describe the role of the technician during refractive surgical procedures

• Describe how ophthalmic lasers work

  • Define the types of lasers including YAG, Argon, etc.

  • List advantages of laser surgery

  • Describe the proper use of safety precautions with laser use

  • Define the role of the ophthalmic medical technician when the laser is used

• Describe and explain the use of the following surgical equipment:  phacoemulsifier, vitrectomy units, and laser automated keratometer

• Describe all types of intraocular injections

• Explain precautions and preparations for PDT procedures

• Describe restrictive strabismus

• Describe strabismus surgery