Ophthalmic Medical Administrative Assistant Apprenticeship

This award is not eligible for Financial Aid

The Certificate of Competency for Ophthalmic Medical Administrative Assistant Apprenticeship is 200 hours of program instruction. Students will also participate in a 640-hour paid apprenticeship at the same time. This program will introduce students to the field of ophthalmology and the different levels of medical professions within the ophthalmic eye care team.

Students will learn the roles and responsibilities of the ophthalmic medical administrative assistant, as well as the different certification levels for career advancement. Students will be introduced to the importance of professional development, certification, and recertification requirements as well as anatomy and physiology of the eye.

Students will learn standards and techniques that are required to keep a clinic running efficiently and effectively. Students will obtain skills in answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, greeting patients, maintaining files, and updating patient information. Students will also be introduced to entry-level medical terminology and acceptable abbreviations specific to the field of ophthalmology, as well as signs and symptoms of common diseases of the eye to understand how systemic diseases can affect the eye.

The skills and knowledge taught in this program will help prepare students for the Arizona Vision Screening Certification Exam. This program serves as a pathway for students to become a certified ophthalmic scribe or ophthalmic medical assistant.

Details

Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Certificate of Competency (CCT)
Academic Plan
Ophthalmic Medical Administrative Assistant Apprenticeship (CER)
Academic Plan Code
1509N
Total Clock Hours Required
200
Catalog Year
2023-2024
Effective Term
Fall 2021
Admissions criteria

1. 18 years of age to enroll

2. Verification of employment in ophthalmology

Notes

This program is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.

The Ophthalmic Medical Administrative Assistant program tuition and fees include CPR certification through the American Heart Association (AHA), and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CCMA) Study Guide, prep materials, and a first attempt at the certification exam by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The Arizona Vision Screening Certification through the Arizona Department of Health is also included.

Students will complete 640 hours of a paid apprenticeship program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Demonstrate leadership and interpersonal communication skills.
  2. Display problem solving and critical thinking skills.
  3. Maintain professional and ethical conduct in all job-related activities.
  4. Employ HIPAA standards and OSHA regulations while interacting with diverse patients in a clinical setting.
  5. Differentiate between the roles and responsibilities of various eye care professionals.
  6. Utilize proper medical terminology and abbreviations in written and oral form while interacting with patients and medical professionals in the office setting.
  7. Display quality practice management techniques through effective teamwork and collaboration.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Medical Secretaries

$37,643

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by block. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with a navigator to discuss their academic and career goals.
  • The course sequence is laid out by block and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • This is a cohort program in which students progress through their course of study together in the required course sequence.

Courses Sequence

Block 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Block 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Clock Hours
OPH102 Introduction to Ophthalmology 50
OPH103 Certified Medical Administrative Assistant 100
OPH104 Ocular and Systemic Diseases of the Eye 50
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of ‘P’ or ‘C’ or better (depending on the course grading scale) for all courses required within the program.

Weekly hour requirements vary by program. Students should meet with a navigator to discuss these requirements further. Actual completion times may vary. A separate $15 Registration Fee will be charged per academic year.

This certificate is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm12?id=168265).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.