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The ophthalmic assistant is an instrumental component of the eye care industry that is usually hired to take care of several activities that must be completed prior to a medical eye exam such as ancillary tests and chart documentation. In addition, facilities that offer advanced procedures may train an assistant to help with the process. The fact that an assistant needs very little education or experience to find work in the specialty means that it has become a very popular employment option among entry-level personnel. Those who are thinking about pursuing this career path can improve their ability to compete against the other applicants and secure a high paying position by following a couple of important strategies. Although a college degree is not typically required in order to work as an assistant, many employers do prefer to hire applicants who have completed at least two years of education at a community college or vocational establishment. An Associate’s degree or certificate of completion demonstrates that the new employee is capable of committing to the completion of a task and is able to use critical thinking in their daily routine. Over time, employers have discovered that an individual who has some form of education is likely to become a better employee and will cost less to train, supervise, and instruct. For this reason, most companies will offer a higher salary to educated applicants and it is worth the time and effort that is required to voluntarily pursue college coursework. In addition to formal education, employers like to hire individuals who have previous experience as an assistant and who are willing to sit for a national certification exam. Again, expectations tend to vary a lot depending on the organization, but most people can expect to be paid more if they are already fairly familiar with the requirements of the job and have demonstrated that they meet national standards for competence in the profession. An experienced assistant requires less training and often makes fewer mistakes as they care for patients. Those who have not worked in the specialty before are often able to find employment, but they should not expect to be compensated as much as an experienced assistant. National certification is an important step in demonstrating competence within any patient care field and leads to higher levels of professional respect from both patients and peers. Although most states do not require an ophthalmic assistant to become certified, it is a common expectation among employers. One of the most recognized exams specific to the specialty is the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) offered through the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). In order to take this exam, an applicant is generally expected to graduate from an ophthalmic assistant training program or complete a self-direct home study course. The JCAHPO also administers a handful of other exams that are available to those who wish to advance their career as an eye care technician. While education, experience, and certification are three of the most effective strategies for improving the ophthalmic assistant salary, individuals must also carefully account for a few other factors such as geographic location and type of employer before developing their earnings expectations. Those who live and work in heavily populated regions of the US where there are several large healthcare organizations who are competing against each other for top quality personnel can expect to be paid more than those who are seeking employment in an under populated or rural area that has fewer eye care establishments. In situations where earnings are a top priority, individuals may need to consider relocating.
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ophthalmic assistant salary, certified ophthalmic assistant, eye care industry,
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