Ophthalmic Medical Technician Blogs:
OPMT Preceptor FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions for prospective OPMT Clinical Preceptors
By Kimberly Barblock, COT
Ophthalmic Medical TechnicianProgram Director
Thank you for your interest in serving as a clinical preceptor for Alexandria Technical & Community College’s Ophthalmic Medical Technician (OPMT) Program. These FAQs are intended for clinics and professionals who are considering partnering with the program and want to understand what precepting involves before committing.
General Program Overview
What is the OPMT Program?
The OPMT Program is a fully accredited, two-year Associate of Applied Science degree that prepares students for careers as ophthalmic medical technicians at the Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) level. The program uses a hybrid model with online lectures and skills labs paired with in-person clinical rotations.
Why does the program rely on clinical preceptors?
Clinical preceptors provide essential real-world experience, reinforce professional standards, and help students apply their academic knowledge in patient-care settings.
About the Clinical Rotations
When do students attend clinical rotations?
Students participate in clinical rotations every semester. Clinical courses are sequential, offered once per year, and start annually in the fall. Preceptors work with the program to choose a clinical schedule that best fits their clinic’s workflow, staffing needs, and availability.
How many clinical hours are required?
Clinical hours increase each semester:
- Semester 1: 8 hours per week for 10 weeks (starting Week 6)
- Semester 2: 12 hours per week for 15 weeks (starting Week 2)
- Semester 3: 15 hours per week for 16 weeks (starting Week 1)
- Semester 4: 16 hours per week for 16 weeks (starting Week 1)
All clinical hours require direct supervision and may be scheduled flexibly throughout the week.
How much flexibility do clinics have in scheduling students?
Clinics have significant flexibility in scheduling clinical rotation hours. Required hours may be divided across multiple days and adjusted to align with clinic workflow, staffing levels, and patient volume. The program works collaboratively with clinics to ensure schedules are realistic and sustainable.
Are students paid for clinical rotations?
Students may rotate under one of two tracks*:
- Track 1: Unpaid clinical rotations for students new to ophthalmology
- Track 2: Paid employment hours for students already working in ophthalmology
Students who are already employed in ophthalmology typically complete their paid clinical rotation hours with their current employer. Participation in paid clinical rotations is at the discretion of the preceptor and clinic, even for students who are already working in the field.
*Track placement is determined by students’ employment status at the time of enrollment.
Student Readiness and Skill Levels
What skills will students work on during rotations?
Skills align with the student’s semester level and progress from basic to advanced clinical testing. Skills are intentionally aligned with IJCAHPO’s Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT)–level practical examination expectations, ensuring students practice nationally recognized competencies. Alternative assessment options are available if required equipment is limited.
How prepared are students when they start?
Before beginning clinical rotations, students complete instruction in:
- Ophthalmic technician roles and responsibilities
- HIPAA, ethics, and professionalism
- Team-based patient care
- EMR/EHR use and exam lane flow
- Core examination skills
Students do not begin clinical hours until this preparation is complete.
What Being a Preceptor Involves
What are the day-to-day expectations?
Preceptors supervise students during scheduled hours, support skill development, model professional behavior, and provide ongoing feedback.
What happens if a student is not a good fit for our clinic?
If concerns arise, preceptors are encouraged to contact the OPMT clinical instructor promptly. Program faculty partner closely with clinics to address issues early, provide guidance, and determine appropriate next steps. Clinics are not expected to manage concerns independently.
What documentation is required?
Preceptors review weekly hours and skills logs and complete brief midterm and end-of-semester evaluations in Trajecsys clinical rotation management software. A midterm evaluation is not required in semester one.
How much time does evaluation take?
Evaluations are brief, protocol-based, and completed online to minimize administrative time.
Is prior teaching or precepting experience required?
No prior teaching experience is required. Preceptors are asked to supervise, model professional practice, and provide feedback as part of normal clinic operations. The program provides clear expectations, week‑to‑week training plans aligned with coursework, evaluation tools, and ongoing support to guide both preceptors and students throughout the rotation.
Getting Started as a Clinical Site
What is involved in onboarding?
Clinics complete a simple onboarding process:
- Sign the ATCC clinical rotation agreement
- Set a workable student schedule
- Register preceptors in Trajecsys
- Review short orientation materials
What support does ATCC provide?
The OPMT program team provides ongoing guidance and support to clinics, students, and preceptors throughout the rotation.
Why Clinics Choose to Partner
How does supporting clinical rotations benefit clinics?
Partnering with the OPMT Program helps clinics meet workforce needs while gaining operational and long‑term staffing benefits:
- Early access to a pipeline of nationally trained ophthalmic technicians progressing toward COT eligibility
- Reduced recruitment risk and onboarding costs through extended, real‑world evaluation
- Lower turnover compared to on‑the‑job–trained staff, as formally educated students have intentionally committed to an ophthalmic career pathway
- Staff trained within your clinic’s workflow and systems, improving efficiency and fit
- Contribution to local and national workforce sustainability
- Opportunity to mentor and shape future ophthalmic professionals
Are students potential future employees?
Yes. Many clinics use clinical rotations as a recruitment pathway and extend employment offers to strong‑performing students. Current partner clinics have hired both first‑ and second‑year OPMT students prior to graduation, allowing clinics to build their workforce early while supporting continued skill development.
Are there ways to support the program without hosting a student?
Yes. Clinics can support the program by sharing information or displaying materials, which helps raise awareness of ophthalmic careers among their existing patient base. This outreach introduces patients and families to a stable, local healthcare career pathway while helping clinics support workforce development and their community at the same time.
Questions or Next Steps
Who should I contact to learn more?
Kimberly Barblock, BA, COT
Ophthalmic Program Director and Instructor
Email: Kimberly.Barblock@alextech.edu
Phone: 917-209-2174
CLEAR VISION, BRIGHT FUTURES: EDUCATING OPHTHALMIC TECHNICIANS
Out-of-State Students:
Students from outside Minnesota who are interested in taking this program online should verify that the program is recognized in their home state.
Minnesota's Global Military Learning Network: Military Bridge Available!
Military bridge programs through Minnesota's Global Military Learning Network (MN-GMLN) provide opportunities for U.S. military service members who have trained in specific occupations to use their training as college credit toward specific degrees, maximizing credit transfer and saving time and money toward a civilian degree.