Ophthalmic Technology Certificate
If you want a short-term program that will allow you to work directly with patients in a challenging, high-tech and in-demand career, Mercy College’s Ophthalmic Assistant Technology Certificate program might be the perfect program for you. Ophthalmic Assistants are specialists in eye health care that assist the Ophthalmologist in caring for the patient. Our program will prepare students to work as part of the healthcare team in the growing fields of ophthalmology and optometry.
Program Information
As an ophthalmic assistant you will assist the eye physician in a variety of diagnostic and technical tasks. Portions of this curriculum will involve on-site internships at participating vision care practices and hands-on training in the school’s ophthalmic laboratory. This program was designed to specifically prepare students for immediate employment in the field and to sit for the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) entry level examination as administered by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). As an ophthalmic assistant you will enjoy being part of a team in a career that offers both flexibility and growth. (This program is approved by the Higher Learning Commission and Ohio Board of Regents).
What will my role be in health care?
Ophthalmic assistants are trained to measure visual acuity, instill ocular medications, obtain ocular, medical, and family history, and perform manifest refractometry. Assistants instruct patients about medications, tests, and procedures as well as assisting Ophthalmologist with procedures. The scope of responsibilities for ophthalmic assistants also includes, coordinating in-office patient flow, measuring intraocular pressure by applanation tonometry, participating in telephone triage, measuring pinhole acuity, and measuring, comparing, and testing pupils (JCAHPO).
What environment will I be working in?
Ophthalmologists generally employ ophthalmic assistants in private practices, clinics, or hospitals. The typical workweek is 40 hours and may include evenings or weekends depending on the patients’ needs.
What are the credentialing requirements?
The Ophthalmic Technology Program at Mercy College is a 32-week program, which allows students to complete the required 17/18* credit hours in one year. *One credit computer course required if computer assessment is not passed. The program will prepare students to sit for the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) entry level examination (exam is offered at testing centers across the country). Upon completion of course work, students must submit an application within 12 months of completing a CoA-OMP accredited Clinical Ophthalmic Assistant program to JCAHPO for permission to take the exam. Once accepted, the student will be assigned a 90-day eligibility period and must schedule and take the exam during this period. This eligibility period, along with information on how to schedule your exam, is provided in a confirmation letter after the application is accepted. Currently the exam fee is $300 but is subject to change.
Gainful Employment Disclosures
