So what is an ophthalmic assistant? An ophthalmic assistant helps the ophthalmologist to render eye-related care. Ophthalmic assistants may work directly with patients along with patient documents and records in an ophthalmology office.
Ophthalmic Assistant Job Duties
An ophthalmic assistant generally conducts clinical tasks like:
– Scheduling patient appointments
– Conducting eye procedures and evaluations
– Recording test results and eye measurements
– Performing administrative works
– Recording patient medical histories
Ophthalmic Assistant Job Prospects
An ophthalmic assistant commands endless career options in the U.S. because of their unique skills. There are positions obtainable in: hospitals, research facilities, private practices, and out patient centers. An ophthalmic assistant has countless opportunities for career promotion.
Ophthalmic Assistant Salary
An ophthalmic assistant may expect more than average salary ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 according to a yearly survey conducted by the Association of Technical and Personnel in Ophthalmology.
Education and Training Programs
An ophthalmic assistant can find training through a number of different avenues. Potential assistants can find training through:
Online schooling programs– With a number of accredited online schools and courses, it’s never been easier to become an ophthalmic assistant.
Clinical training programs- Another way to become an ophthalmic assistant is to take an ophthalmic assistant training program at colleges and specialized schools. The training program might provide classroom meeting as well as hands on clinical rotation.
Independent study training programs- An ophthalmic assistant may further their education and training through self study programs. These programs may be obtainable on the web.
On the job training- One way to become an ophthalmic assistant is to get an entry-level employment with an optometrist to receive on the job training.
Ophthalmic Assistant Certification Requirements
An ophthalmic assistant is not required to obtain certification. However, surveys show that a certified ophthalmic assistant makes a greater income and get more outlooks for growth than a not-certified ophthalmic assistant.
Types of Ophthalmic Assistant Certification
There are three levels of certification for an ophthalmic assistant:
- Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA)
- Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT)
- Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT)