The Ophthalmic Clinical Assistant (OCA) is a technically educated eye care assistant who is trained to perform special testing and patient services in the Ophthalmic office. The assistant is a vital member of the health care team supplying important information to the doctor who is treating the patient. The duties delegated to the Ophthalmic Clinical Assistant include:
- taking a general medical and ophthalmic history
- taking basic anatomical and functional measurements
- testing ocular function (e.g. visual acuity and basic color vision tests)
- verifying eye glass prescriptions
- administering topical ophthalmic medications under doctor direction
- instructing the patient in personal eye care
- caring for and maintaining ophthalmic instruments and equipment
- caring for, maintaining, and sterilizing surgical instruments
Enrollment - 15 students
Accreditation - The OCA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ophthalmic Medical Programs.
Schedule - The professional courses begin each Fall semester with classroom lecture and lab. Spring and Summer semesters will also include off campus clinicals. Classes and clinicals are usually scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00pm.
Faculty - The OCA faculty includes a full-time program coordinator/ instructor.
Physical Demands - An Ophthalmic Clinical Assistant may need to be able to perform the following in day to day work situations (not all inclusive):
- Remain continuously on task for several hours while standing, sitting, moving and/or bending.
- Gross and fine motor activities to provide safe and effective patient care.
Clinic - There may be exposure to patients with infectious diseases, blood, and body fluids during clinical rotations. The OCA curriculum requires that each student participate in off campus clinical rotations during the Spring and Summer semesters. The OCA program will affiliate with numerous facilities in and around the Charleston area. Student assignments will be made by the OCA faculty. Due to the limited availability of sites, there is no guarantee that a given student will be placed in the location of his/her choice for clinic. Each student must sign a Memorandum of Understanding in reference to this policy prior to beginning the program. The student will be financially responsible for meals and transportation during these assignments.
CPR Certification - All students must have CPR certification prior to clinical rotations. Students are responsibe for making the necessary arrangements. Courses are offered through the College (AHS 106), area hospitals, the American Heart Association (BLS for the Healthcare Provider) or the American Red Cross (CPR for the Professional Rescuer).
Certification - Students who successfully complete the Ophthalmic Clinical Assistant Program will be eligible to take the computer-based Ophthalmic Assistant Examination administered by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO).
Salary - Starting salaries for new Ophthalmic Clinical Assistants variy widely based upon geographic location and practice settings (university, private practice,or retail).The current national average is approximately $21,000 to $35,000 annually. With experience and additional certifications, salary levels can increase significantly.
Working Conditions - Most Ophthalmic Clinical Assistants work a regular 40-hour week. There are opportunities for part-time and weekend work as well.
Career Opportunities - The availability of OCA positions is very good at the local and national levels in a variety of settings including university departments of Ophthamology, private practice offices, and retail settings.
Ophthalmic Clinical Assistant Faculty
Krissa Lyse B. Drentlaw, COT, BS-VTE
Program Coordinator
Office Location: Palmer Campus, Room 214 C
Phone Number: (843) 722-5507
Email Address: krissa.drentlaw@tridenttech.edu
