Ophthalmic Assistant

Ophthalmic Assistant 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 who assist ophthalmologists in caring for patients.  Our program will prepare students to work as part of the health care team in the growing fields of ophthalmology and optometry.

Ophthalmic Assistant 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 as ophthalmic 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 as an Ophthalmic Assistant

Ophthalmic assistants are trained to measure visual acuity, instill ocular medications, obtain ocular, medical, and family history, and perform manifest refractometry. Ophthalmic assistants instruct patients about medications, tests, and procedures, as well as assisting ophthalmologists with procedures. The scope of responsibilities for ophthalmic assistants also includes the following: 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 as an Ophthalmic Assistant

Ophthalmologists generally employ ophthalmic assistants in private practices, clinics, or hospitals. The typical workweek for an ophthalmic assistant is 40 hours and may include evenings or weekends, depending on the patients’ needs.

What are the credentialing requirements for an Ophthalmic Assistant?

The Ophthalmic Technology Program at Mercy College is a 32-week program, which allows students to complete the required 17 to 18 credit hours in one year (a 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, which 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 it is subject to change.

Career Opportunities for Ophthalmic Assistants

What does the future hold for me as an Ophthalmic Assistant?
The job outlook is favorable for graduating Certified Ophthalmic Assistants (COAs) and career opportunities are abundant. The career opportunities for ophthalmic assistants are expected to increase by 7 percent between now and 2016. There is currently a significant shortage of qualified ophthalmic assistants, technicians, and technologists in the U.S., creating plentiful career opportunities. The demand for ophthalmic assistants will continue to increase and career opportunities will expand because of the growing elderly population in this country.  As the baby-boom generation grows older, more vision care specialists, including ophthalmic assistants, will be needed to keep up with demand, ensuring continuing career opportunities.
Salary Range for Ophthalmic Assistants
The average starting salary for an ophthalmic assistant is $12 to $14 per hour or $25,000 to $29,000 per year. Career opportunities and earning potential for ophthalmic assistants increase with experience and additional training and certification. Ophthalmic assistants are eligible to take the Certified Ophthalmic Technician exam after one year of professional experience in the field, allowing an increase in salary and improved career opportunities.