Take a New Direction with MSC's Ophthalmic Assistant Program

Looking for a new direction with your career? Check out the Maricopa Skill Center Ophthalmic Assistant program!  

Do you know the difference between an Optometrist and an Ophthalmologist?

Optometrists are usually the primary health provider for normal vision problems and yearly checkups. The position requires a Doctor of Optometry degree and a license, and allows the diagnosing for common vision acuity problems like farsightedness and nearsightedness, prescribing corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses, dispensing and prescription of certain medication, plus testing for eye diseases and conditions.

Ophthalmologists can perform the same functions as optometrists, but are considered a higher position, as they actually are medical doctors with Doctors of Medicine or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine degrees who specialize in the eyes and vision care. This means an ophthalmologist can diagnose and treat highly complicated eyes issues, can perform surgeries like Lasik and repair retinal damage, and can handle more area specific cases in vision care. The main difference between the two eye-related careers is that an ophthalmologist can handle surgeries and other issues that require more training on the medical side.

Ophthalmic Assistant Program:

Students in the Ophthalmic Assistant program are prepared to assist ophthalmologists and optometrists in examining and treating patients with vision problems, vision disorders, and eye diseases.

Program details: 

Students are in class for at least six hours a day, Monday-Thursday. It is a 662-clock hour program that takes approximately seven months to complete.

Entry Requirements:

Students must be 18 years of age, attained high school diploma or G.E.D. Also students have to obtain a Level 1 fingerprint clearance card, pass MCCCD background check and drug screening, and have proof of immunizations. This is due to off-site clinic visits and “hands on care” training.

What the students learn:

Students are instructed in various duties and responsibilities such as taking patient histories, basic eye testing and measuring, administering directed treatments and topical medications, diagnostic test procedures and equipment operation, anatomical and functional ocular measurements, patient care, anatomy and physiology of the eye and related body systems, ophthalmic and surgical equipment maintenance, safety and sterilization procedures, and office administrative procedures.

After graduation:

Upon successful completion of the Ophthalmic Assistant Program, students receive an Ophthalmic Assistant certificate, and are eligible to take the Ophthalmic Assistant Exam* that is accredited through JCAHPO and AAO. 

*After 1,000 hours of employment (6 mo.), graduates may take the COA certification exam.

Next program start dates: 

The next start date is April 24, however you need to have your application and prerequisites approved and obtained before being accepted into the program. After that you would need to apply for the August 25 enrollment date.

Find out more! 
Call 602.238.4350. Visit the website. 
Public tours are available 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.