Ophthalmic Medical Assistant Apprenticeship
The Certificate of Competency in Ophthalmic Medical Assistant Apprenticeship is a 240-hour program that serves as a pathway to excellent job opportunities and a lifelong and challenging career in ophthalmology. Students will also participate in an 800-hour paid apprenticeship at the same time. The program will introduce students to learning and understanding the core level of care for entry into the fascinating world of eye care in a clinical setting. The program will focus on learning how to assist and work with ophthalmologists and opticians.
The program content includes a variety of skills associated with patient services and assisting with minor surgical procedures, instrument care and maintenance. Special attention will be given to complete comprehensive eye examinations, including chief complaints, history taking, anatomy and physiology of the visual system, eye terminology, general medical knowledge, and hands-on skill instruction.
Details
1. Verification of employment in ophthalmology
2. 18 years of age to enroll
This program is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
Students will be required to complete all required coursework and apprenticeship hours to be eligible to take the certification examinations. Students will have the opportunity to earn their Ophthalmic Scribe Certification (OSC) and their Ophthalmic Assistant (OA) certification. Upon completion of the program, students will also be eligible to complete their Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA).
Course fees include materials and one exam attempt for the Ophthalmic Scribe Certification. The Ophthalmic Assistant certification exam code will be included in the students` textbook purchase.
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Demonstrate leadership and interpersonal communication skills.
- Display problem solving and critical thinking skills.
- Maintain professional and ethical conduct in all job-related activities.
- Employ HIPAA standards and OSHA regulations while interacting with diverse patients in a clinical setting.
- Differentiate between the roles and responsibilities of various eye care professionals.
- Display quality practice management techniques through effective teamwork and collaboration.
- Perform comprehensive eye exams on a simulated patient with minimal to no difficulty.
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.
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
$32,583 Show expanded career information for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
$41,724 Show expanded career information for Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
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
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Clock Hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
OPH105 | Ocular and Refractive Clinical Assessment, Skills, and Procedures | 240 |
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 curriculum website for the Certificate of Competency in Ophthalmic Medical Assistant Apprenticeship (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm12?id=173268).
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.