Up to 80% of tuition covered for Community Health Worker, Ophthalmic Assistant, Polysomnographic Technologist, and Paramedic Programs Learn More
Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate
Ophthalmic Assistant
Take an active role in one of the most essential fields of healthcare
As an ophthalmic assistant, you will assist the ophthalmologist in a variety of diagnostic and technical tasks. Portions of this curriculum will involve on-site practicums at participating ophthalmic practices. This program was designed to specifically prepare students for immediate employment in the field and to sit for the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) entry-level examination as administered by the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO). As an ophthalmic assistant, you will enjoy being part of a team in a career that offers both flexibility and growth.
The Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate program courses begin in the fall semester (August).
This program is approved by the Higher Learning Commission and Ohio Board of Regents.
Interested in a certificate program?
Join us for an in-person Certificate Open House at our Toledo Campus.
Click here to Learn more and sign upProgram Overview
The Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate prepares students to work as part of the healthcare team in the essential fields of ophthalmology and optometry. The program includes didactic, laboratory and clinical components specifically designed to prepare students for entry into practice as an ophthalmic assistant and to take the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) entry-level examination as administered by the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO). IJCAHPO maintains accreditation through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), which verifies that programs meet the highest national voluntary standards for private certification. The certificate program curriculum was developed using program content defined by the International Council of Accreditation (ICA).
Overview
The Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate prepares students to work as part of the healthcare team in the fields of ophthalmology and optometry. The program includes didactic, laboratory and clinical components designed to prepare students for entry as an ophthalmic assistant and to take the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) entry-level examination as administered by the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO). IJCAHPO maintains accreditation through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), that verifies programs meet the highest national voluntary standards for private certification. The certificate program curriculum was developed using content defined by the International Council of Accreditation (ICA).
Philosophy
Course goals and objectives are based on the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) and the Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (ATPO) standards and required knowledge and learning outcomes. The goal is to prepare competent professionals who can function in a rapidly changing healthcare environment as well as pass the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) exam.
Education is a continual process whereby learners develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes resulting in cognitive, affective, and psychological changes. The faculty facilitates the teaching/learning process through the sequential presentation of concepts, theories, and experimental activities within an environment that promotes mutual trust, critical thinking, and self-development.
Program Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the certificate program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate technical competence when performing ophthalmic procedures.
- Demonstrate responsible, ethical, and professional patient care.
- Employ components of effective communication.
- Demonstrate the ability to solve problems and think critically.
Progression
Once enrolled in the program students are required to:
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Maintain a “C” grade or higher, in all courses of the Ophthalmic Assistant Program.
Any grade lower than a “C” is considered a failure. Students who fail or withdraw from an Ophthalmic Assistant course may repeat the course only one time. However, if students fail two Ophthalmic Assistant courses, the Program Lead reserves the right to dismiss students from the Ophthalmic Assistant program.
Requirements for Clinicals
Criminal background checks, drug screens, health records, and titers/immunizations are required prior to the start of the clinical program. Program requirements and instructions are maintained on the College website at https://mercycollege.edu/background. The Policy can be found at https://mercycollege.edu/about/compliance-consumer-information.
To complete the Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate students must fulfill all of the following:
Required Program Courses
Complete All of the Following Courses:
Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
EYE 111 | Essentials of Ophthalmic Technology | 2.5 |
EYE 112 | Ocular Terminology, Anatomy, Physiology, and Diseases | 4 |
EYE 118 | Ophthalmic Capstone II | 2 |
EYE 120 | Ophthalmic Technology Application and Practice I | 3.5 |
EYE 122 | Ophthalmic Technology Application and Practice II | 1 |
EYE 130 | Ophthalmic Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
EYE 132 | Ophthalmic Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
Semester I
Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
EYE 111 | Essentials of Ophthalmic Technology | 2.5 |
EYE 112 | Ocular Terminology, Anatomy, Physiology, and Diseases | 4 |
EYE 120 | Ophthalmic Technology Application and Practice I | 3.5 |
EYE 130 | Ophthalmic Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
Semester II
Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
EYE 118 | Ophthalmic Capstone II | 2 |
EYE 122 | Ophthalmic Technology Application and Practice II | 1 |
EYE 132 | Ophthalmic Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
Sample program of study for Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate.
Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
EYE 111 | Essentials of Ophthalmic Technology | 2.5 |
EYE 112 | Ocular Terminology, Anatomy, Physiology, and Diseases | 4 |
EYE 120 | Ophthalmic Technology Application and Practice I | 3.5 |
EYE 130 | Ophthalmic Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
Total Hours | 11 |
Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
EYE 118 | Ophthalmic Capstone II | 2 |
EYE 122 | Ophthalmic Technology Application and Practice II | 1 |
EYE 132 | Ophthalmic Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
Total Hours | 6 |
Curriculum effective Fall 2021. For students enrolled prior to Fall 2021, please reference the Mercy College catalog.
At the end of the certificate program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate technical competence when performing ophthalmic procedures.
- Demonstrate responsible, ethical, and professional patient care.
- Employ components of effective communication.
- Demonstrate the ability to solve problems and think critically.
Program Outcomes
-
Document .pdfOphthalmic Assistant Credit Certificate Program Outcomes Data
View program-specific data, including graduation satisfaction, job placement, and pass rates for the Ophthalmic Assistant program.
Download
Career Outlook
Employment Growth
The job outlook is favorable for graduating Certified Ophthalmic Assistants (COAs) as the job market expects an 11% increase between now and 2028. There is currently a significant shortage of qualified ophthalmic assistants, technicians, and technologists in the U.S.
The demand will continue to increase because of the growing elderly population in this country. As the baby boom generation grows older, more vision care specialists will be needed to keep up with demand. [Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Salary Range
The average salary is $36,690 per year with the opportunity to earn more with experience and additional training and certification [Bureau of Labor Statistics].
Assistants are eligible to take the Certified Ophthalmic Technician exam after one year of professional experience in the field and earn an increase in salary.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must be a high school graduate with a grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.0, or a general equivalency (GED) recipient with a score of 500 (score of 50 prior to 2002). If an applicant’s GPA or GED score is below the minimum, he/she may be eligible for admission under transfer credit guidelines.
A transfer student must be a high school graduate or a GED recipient and have earned a minimum of 15 credit hours of college coursework from a regionally accredited college, with a GPA of at least 2.0. For applicants who have attended more than one regionally accredited college, GPAs from all colleges must combine to equal at least a 2.0.
Students must possess American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification-valid prior to the start of EYE 130 with current certification maintained through the completion of clinical rotations.
Applicants must submit to a background check, drug screen, and meet health requirements according to program policy.