Great News: New Occupational Classification for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians!
Suzanne Hansen, COMT
Managing Editor
Journal of Ophthalmic Medical Technology

In February 2009, the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) announced that the U.S. Department of Labor will recognize a new occupational classification for ophthalmic medical technicians in the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification system.¹

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies workers into categories based on the occupational "skills, education, training, and credentials."² Prior to the upcoming 2010 Standard Occupational Classification report, ophthalmic assistants were grouped into the same category as Medical Assistants. The new classification will recognize Ophthalmic Medical Technician in the major category "Health Technologists and Technicians." This new classification was possible due to the unique "identifiable skills" of Ophthalmic Medical Technicians that have clearly evolved with the advanced skills and technology needed to care for our patients. The new classification will include all levels of ophthalmic certification administered by JCAHPO (COA, COT, and COMT). ¹

This is great news for our field since it will increase knowledge about our profession, provide for better statistical information specific to our field (employment growth, salaries, etc.), and increase visibility to this field as a career option for future workers. JCAHPO and Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (ATPO) should be commended for their efforts in making this happen!

¹Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology. Eye Care Profession Receives U.S. Occupational Listing. February 10, 2009

²U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 10, 2009 from WWW: http://www.bls.gov/SOC/