Ophthalmic Medical Assistant Apprenticeship

This award is not eligible for Financial Aid

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

Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Certificate of Competency (CCT)
Academic Plan
Ophthalmic Medical Assistant Apprenticeship (CER)
Academic Plan Code
1508N
Total Clock Hours Required
240
Catalog Year
2023-2024
Effective Term
Fall 2022
Admissions criteria

1. Verification of employment in ophthalmology

2. 18 years of age to enroll

Notes

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.

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. Display quality practice management techniques through effective teamwork and collaboration.
  7. 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

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

$41,724

* Career and wage information provided by Emsi using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Emsi’s proprietary analytical processes. Emsi’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
OPH105 Ocular and Refractive Clinical Assessment, Skills, and Procedures 240
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 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.