Activity assistants

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Rehabilitation aids

• Prepare and maintain equipment and supplies

• Assist in activities for the rehabilitation of patients as directed by health care professionals

• May perform routine office functions.

Ophthalmic assistants

• Take patients' general medical and ophthalmic history

• Operate ophthalmic testing and measuring instruments to aid ophthalmologists in assessing patients' vision

• Instruct patient on diagnostic test and record results

• Assist ophthalmologists in minor office surgery

• Administer eye drops, ointments and medications as directed by ophthalmologists

• Clean and maintain ophthalmic instruments and equipment

• Perform various administrative duties.

• Optical/ophthalmic laboratory technicians and assistants

• Operate laboratory equipment to grind, cut, polish and edge lenses for eyeglasses according to prescriptions received and fit lenses into frames

• Make minor repairs for customers such as replacing frame screws or straightening frames

• Maintain and repair optical laboratory equipment or machinery.

Blood donor clinic assistants

• Set up and dismantle equipment

• Prepare and maintain cleanliness of collection areas

• Maintain supplies

• Monitor donors throughout procedure and assist with post-donation care and donor reaction care as assigned under the supervision of a registered nurse

• Record information on donors

• Label and process donated blood.

• Health care courses or short-term college programs related to the work of medical therapy aides,  such as recreational therapy programs, are available and may be required by employers.

• Completion of secondary school and several months of on-the-job training are usually required for other assisting occupations in this unit group.