Ophthalmic Technician onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA), Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: tonometers; autorefractors; OCT scanners; visual field machines
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Ophthalmic Technician training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Clean equipment between patients
Check allergies before drops
Warn patients about dilation effects
Follow infection control
Shadow an experienced ophthalmic technician through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: measure visual acuity
Supervised practice: run a visual field test
Supervised practice: do a patient workup
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Take patient histories: independently
Test visual acuity: independently
Measure eye pressure: independently
Dilate pupils: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA))
Discuss the career path: Ophthalmic Assistant → Ophthalmic Technician → Ophthalmic Technologist
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Measure Visual Acuity
Run a Visual Field Test
Do a Patient Workup
Visual acuity testing
Tonometry
OCT imaging
Visual fields

How to measure onboarding success

Days until the new hire works without a preceptor
Competency sign-offs completed on time
Documentation or charting error rate
90-day retention

How Ophthalmic Technician training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Ophthalmic Technician Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Ophthalmic Technician Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Ophthalmic Technician Career
Final Knowledge Check

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Ophthalmic Technician Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)