Ophthalmic Medical Technician Blogs:
OPMT Program Student Spotlight: TaJay McDonald
Rising star TaJay McDonald is a second-year student in the Ophthalmic Medical Technician (OPMT) Program at Alexandria Technical & Community College (ATCC) who made the Dean’s List in her first two semesters in the program. Following that awesome accomplishment, we asked TaJay if she would be willing to share her journey in the OPMT program with current and future students. This is the interview that followed:
By Kimberly Barblock, COT
Ophthalmic Medical Technician Program Director
Can you share a little bit about your background?
“Sure. I live in Florida with my husband and our two young children. I learned about the career as an ophthalmic medical technician while working in optometry in the optical department six years ago. While I was there, I worked in different areas and when I found my way to the medical side, I fell in love with it. From there, I started researching what to do next and how to learn more and do more.”
Fun Fact: Before fully committing to a career in eye care, TaJay explored the dental field but quickly realized it wasn't the right fit. Although she found it interesting, it didn’t provide the fulfillment she was looking for. After a year in dentistry, she returned to the eyecare field and hasn’t looked back, diving headfirst into advancing her career as an ophthalmic medical technician.
What, specifically, interested you about the medical side of eye care?
“While working in optometry I wanted to understand the ‘why’ behind the things I was documenting while scribing. I started doing some research on how to take my knowledge and career to the next level. That’s when I found the OPMT program at ATCC.”
How did you find the OPMT program?
“I heard about this program while doing research on my own. I originally wanted to go to a program in my state, because I live in Florida. So, I was trying to do a program here but it closed in the middle of my applying to the program. So, from there I did more research on other options and eventually I came across the online OPMT program at ATCC.”
What do you like most about the OPMT program?
“What I like most about the OPMT program is the flexibility to be able to do this online and to work with people in my area. Being able to work with the different ophthalmologists out here, I’m able to build my knowledge, learn the different tricks and tips that they have, and I’m also able to build those connections with the doctors and technicians that I’ve been working with.”
What is your favorite part about your second year in the OPMT program?
“My favorite part of my second year in the OPMT program is my clinical rotations. That allows me to see all parts of ophthalmology so I can find my focus for the future. It also allows me to build connections with patients, doctors and other technicians. I recently toured the surgical center with the MD's and I can already see myself having a blast in there!”
What area of ophthalmology interests you the most?
“The specialty that I find most interesting is working in the surgical area. I love anything surgical. I like watching the cataract surgeries. I like watching the glaucoma surgeries. I like being able to be in the surgery room just watching the doctors be super still while they are working on eyeballs. I love watching it, I love learning about what they’re doing, I love the anatomy of it – love it, love it, love it!”
What does a typical work day in clinic look like for you?
“A typical work day for me is split down the middle between the optometrists and ophthalmologists. I work a little bit with the optometrists where we see a lot of children. We do a lot of myopia-management for those patients with hard and rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses. I also do a lot of work with the ophthalmologists. That’s something that the OPMT program has helped me get prepared for and be better at. I really like that part of my job.”
How did the OPMT program help prepare you for working with the ophthalmologists in your clinic?
“It especially prepared me for doing preliminary work-ups on patients and diagnostic testing. I’m able to be more fine-tuned with the technique for evaluating EOMs (extraocular eye muscles), the proper technique for cover-testing, being able to check eye pressure (to screen for glaucoma) and knowing how to check angles prior to dilation. I also know more about how things work – like how the dilating drops work and the science behind them. I really like that part, as well.”
TaJay has two young children that she is raising with her husband and, in addition to completing the online OPMT program and her clinical rotation hours, TaJay holds a part-time job. Since she has been able to excel in the program despite her hectic schedule, we asked TaJay if she could share some of the things that have contributed to her success in the program. She shares those tips in the video below:
A big thank you to TaJay for sharing her journey in the OPMT program and for her willingness to share her study tips with future students.
Discover more about our unique, hybrid-online program and take the first step toward a rewarding career in the ophthalmic field by visiting ATCC’s OPMT Program page, alextech.edu/OPMT.
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.