Ophthalmic Assistants and Technicians

Medical assistants can also specialize, e.g. for ophthalmology or podiatry, and earn specialty credentials in addition to general medical assisting credentials. Clinical personnel that assist the ophthalmologist may be called medical assistants, ophthalmic assistants, ophthalmic medical personnel, allied health personnel, technical personnel, ophthalmic technicians, or eye care paraprofessionals. Certification is not a state requirement, but it will show potential employers that you have certain skills and knowledge. Certification also shows that you have professional attitude and take pride in your work.

Currently, United States Bureau of Labor lists Ophthalmic Assistants, Technicians, and Technologists under Medical Assistants in their occupational classification system, but JCAHPO has recently requested a separate classification for them. Ophthalmic Assistants, Technicians, and Technologists are highly trained and specialized individuals working in ophthalmology.

JCAHPO
Ophthalmology provides three different levels of certifications for medical assistants: Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA), Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT), and Certified Ophthalmic Technologist (COMT). These ophthalmic medical assisting credentials are awarded by the Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). JCAHPO certifies and recertifies ophthalmic medical personnel.

ATPO
Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (ATPO) is the professional organization for ophthalmic medical personnel. Membership in your professional organization shows that you are a life-long learner and are committed to keeping your skills up-to-date.

CoA-OMP
Ophthalmic medical assistants and technicians may be trained in formal training programs approved by the Commission of Accreditation of Ophthalmic Medical Programs (CoA-OMP) or receive comprehensive on-the-job training. In 2005 CoA-OMP separated from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and became a freestanding accreditor of Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (OMP) programs.

Certified Ophthalmic Assistant - COA
To sit for the COA credentialing exam, student must have graduated from a CoA-OMP accredited Ophthalmic Assistant program or have completed a COA-OMP approved independent study course with 2,000 hours (about one year full-time work) of ophthalmology work experience.

Certified Ophthalmic Technician - COT
To sit for the COT credentialing exam, student must have graduated from a CoA-OMP accredited program for Ophthalmic Technicians or have worked at least 2,000 hours as a COA under ophthalmological supervision while maintaining COA continuing education requirements or be currently certified as an Orthoptist.

Certified Ophthalmic Technologist - COMT
To sit for the COMT credentialing exam, student must have graduated from a CoA-OMP accredited program for Ophthalmic Technologists or worked at least 6,000 hours as a COT under ophthalmological supervision while maintaining COT continuing education requirements.

Corporate Certified Ophthalmic Assistant - CCOA
To sit for the exam, student must have completed a CoA-OMP approved independent study course, completed 12 JCAHPO-approved Group A continuing education credits, and be employed by a company that supplies ophthalmology products and/or services.

Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist - ROUB
To sit for the exam, student must have graduated from a CoA-OMP accredited program or have 2,000 - 4,000 hours of related work experience.

Ophthalmic Surgical Assisting
To sit for the exam, student must have graduated from a CoA-OMP accredited program or have 18 months of related work experience.

	The Ophthalmic Assistant: A Text for Allied and Associated Ophthalmic Personnel by Harold A. Stein and Raymond M. Stein Mosby, 8th edition, 2006 a very popular textbook for ophthalmic medical assisting excellent study and review guide for the COA, COT, and COMT exams the 7th edition is also still available
	Ophthalmic Medical Assisting: An Independent Study Course AAO, 4th edition, 2006 this full-color textbook and the accompanying exam meet the study requirements (plus work exp.) for the COA exam great for students and new ophthalmic assistants great study and review guide for the COA exam the 3rd edition of the book is also still available
	Vaughan & Asbury's General Ophthalmology by Paul Riordan-Eva, Taylor Asbury, John P. Whitcher McGraw-Hill Medical, 17th edition recommended for COA, COT, and COMT exams will be released October 2007, order now the 16th edition is also still available
	Clinical Skills for the Ophthalmic Examination: Basic Procedures by Lindy Dubois Slack, 2nd edition, 2005 from the novice performing basic testing all the way to the most advanced technician
	Handbook of Clinical Ophthalmology for Eyecare Professionals by Janice Ledford Slack, 2000 ophthalmic pocket guide for the eyecare paraprofessional 100 tables and illustrations regarding tests, drugs, disorders, motility, first aid, microbiology, and more includes information needed for the certification exams
	Ophthalmic Procedures in the Office and Clinic ASORN, 2nd edition, 2006 covers procedures that are commonly performed in the office or clinic written from a nursing perspective, but is appropriate for all ophthalmic personnel
	Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Exam Review Manual by Janice K. Ledford Slack, 2nd edition, 2003 more than 650 exam-style questions and explanatory answers
	Introducing Ophthalmology: A Primer for Office Staff AAO, 2nd edition, 2002 a small book, great for new office stuff to familiarize them with the basics of ophthalmology
	Opportunities in Eye Care Careers by Kathleen Belikoff McGraw-Hill, 1st edition, 2003 introduction to careers in ophthalmology
	Basic Bookshelf for Eyecare Professionals See all the books in the Basic Bookshelf for Eyecare Professionals series. Many more great books for ophthalmic assistants and technicians!

ASORN = American Society of Registered Ophthalmic Nurses
AAO = American Academy of Ophthalmology

Ophthalmologist - medical doctor and surgeon trained in eye surgery and eye disease, Doctor of Medicine degree (MD), diagnose and manage eye diseases, treat and repair eye injuries, perform surgical procedures such as laser surgery and lens replacement, 8-10 years of professional training (medical school 4 yrs + internship 1 yr + residency 3 yrs + optional fellowship in subspecialty 1-2 yrs)

Optometrist - not a medical doctor, but has extensive training in optometry, prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, in some states administer and prescribe medications to help diagnose vision problems and treat certain eye disease, usually BS and four years of optometry school, Doctor of Optometry degree (OD), 4 years of professional training (optometry school 4 yrs)

Note: DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) is a medical degree, OD (Doctor of Optometry) is not.

Optician - dispenses eyeglasses and contact lenses based on prescriptions supplied by ophthalmologists or optometrists, formal training (1-2 yrs) or apprenticeship (2 yrs or more)

Ophthalmic Registered Nurse - RN's who have passed the Certified Registered Nurse in Ophthalmology exam (CRNO)

Ophthalmic Photographer - many ophthalmic assistants and technicians do ophthalmic photography, may hold the Certified Retinal Angiographer credential (CRA)

Orthoptist - evaluate and treat eye muscle disorders, usually have BS and two years in orthoptist school (CO)

See also the Ophthalmology coding page.
See the Ophthalmology Books page for more books (e.g. ophthalmic dictionaries).
See the Links page for additional ophthalmology related links.

References:
ATPO http://www.atpo.org/
JCAHPO http://www.jcahpo.org/ (new URL 2008)