It has become standard practice for ophthalmic staff to become proficient in a multitude of disciplines, such as clinical technician work, scribing, surgical assisting, and imaging. This multi-disciplinary skill set has many advantages, but only if the person is trained properly and is allowed the exposure and experience necessary to become not just adept but an expert in the roles required of them.
For the past 20 years, I have made a business and a career of training staff around the world in all the disciplines expected of them, including, most often, training in ophthalmic imaging. Here, I’ll review options for training staff and the steps any trainer should follow when instructing new imagers.
Choose a training option
When employers need to provide further training for their staff, there are several options. The first option is to rely on experienced staff to train those who do not have the necessary skills. To be successful and, ultimately, cost-effective, the experienced staff member must have the ability to adapt the training to best suit the personality and learning style of the trainee.
The second option is to send the trainee to an external educational program. There are several overseen by technician and imaging organizations around the country. Costs associated with this option include program fees as well as travel and time away from the office. Additionally, it would be important to understand whether any hands-on training, if included, would be completed on the same equipment the trainee will be using in practice. This may be considered an important factor in the selection of the training program.
The third option is to have a professional who trains staff on-site. This is not inexpensive; one major advantage is that the trainee is taught in a small group on equipment they will be using every day. [Pro tip: I recommend scheduling patients during formal training, while the trainer is still on-site to supervise and hone the trainee’s skills in real life situations (with the added benefit of generating revenue, and therefore, offsetting some of the cost).]
Overall, a positive training experience encourages the trainee to further their education and to take more interest in patient care while also giving them the tools to be a better technician.
The trainee must fully understand what "normal" looks like on any imaging system.IMAGE TAKEN WITH THE TRC-NW400 NON-MYDRIATIC RETINAL CAMERA (TOPCON). COURTESY OF TOPCON.
Establish the foundation
The best professional trainers follow the same formula. Despite the trainees’ skillset or experience, a basic foundation of knowledge is imperative before getting into training on the specific imaging modality. Regardless of the manufacturer of the device, most specific imaging modalities (fundus cameras, scanning lasers, etc.) require some basic skills that most technicians already utilize in clinical practice. For instance, using a slit lamp requires a technician to have coordination, understand how to use that device to focus a view, and be able to find anatomical landmarks — all skills necessary to use an imaging device.
Makings of a great trainee
One of the first questions a physician or administrator asks me is: “How much experience, or what level of knowledge, do my techs need to have prior to being trained in imaging?”
The technician who has no experience in imaging but has, at the very least, fundamental knowledge of ocular anatomy and patient care is a great training candidate. There are no “bad habits” to break, no re-training necessary.
That said, any technician, at any level, with any experience, can be trained. However, the primary asset the trainee needs to have is the desire to learn. From a trainer’s standpoint, the trainee’s desire and excitement to learn is infectious, makes for a positive training session, and is satisfying for the trainer, the employer, and, most importantly, the trainee.
There are essentially two types of staff that I recognize, and it’s a fundamental difference, especially in terms of training. There are those who consider their work a job and those who consider their work a career. It’s the career-minded technician who makes for the best trainee. They have the desire and motivation to further their knowledge and are more open to learning new skill sets. It’s these techs who want to be engaged and ask questions of those around them. As an employer, physician, or supervisor, it’s imperative that time is taken to nurture these staff members, encourage them, and allow them opportunities to grow.
Recognize ocular anatomy
The ability to recognize ocular anatomy seems obvious, but to fully train someone, it is important to avoid any assumptions of existing knowledge, no matter how basic. Since the goal will be to produce high-quality images, the first steps for the imager to master will be an understanding the anatomical terms, and to learn how to locate a specific area of the eye on any imaging system.
Acknowledge abnormal images
Next, ensure that the trainee fully understands what “normal” looks like on any imaging system. Once accomplished, the trainee will then be in a position to recognize abnormal images. This is an important step in developing a thought process that engages the imager and gives them the confidence to produce quality images that give the clinician all the information necessary.
Understand practice-specific equipment
The mechanics of operating most diagnostic imaging devices, thanks to the manufacturers, tends to be similar to other equipment used in a practice, such as slit lamp biomicroscopes. Each imaging device comes with its own set of obstacles, such as recognizing artifacts and how to remedy them.
Encourage education
Once the imager is comfortable with their new skill set, it is prudent to follow up with more advanced training, whether that involves new imaging modalities or the pursuit of more skills within the practice such as disease specific imaging, being more proactive, and refining skills. An environment that encourages education, provides resources, and fosters growth will result in more employee, physician, and patient satisfaction, as well as staff retention. OP
![]({"src":"/media/cslllycv/cover_op_0921.jpg","focalPoint":null,"crops":[{"alias":"thumbnail","width":1110,"height":700,"coordinates":null}]})