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Frequently asked questions about the program
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Your Career as an Ophthalmic Medical Assistant
Our one year diploma program in Ophthalmic Medical Assistant (OMA) prepares individuals to work with Ophthalmologists and their patients. Ophthalmologists are doctors who specialize in a branch of medicine that deals with the structure, function and diseases of the eye.
Ophthalmic Assistants provide support services to the Ophthalmologist. The Ophthalmic Assistant is an important member of the eye care team, supplying vital information to the physician who is treating the patient. The duties delegated to the Ophthalmic Assistant may include:
- taking a general medical and ophthalmic history
- taking basic anatomical and functional measurements
- testing ocular functions (e.g. visual acuity and basic color vision tests)
- verifying eye glass prescriptions
- administering topical ophthalmic medications under physician direction
- instructing the patient in personal eye care
- caring for and maintaining ophthalmic instruments and equipment
- caring for, maintaining, and sterilizing surgical instruments
CCC&TI's OMA program includes both didactic (classroom) and "hands on" clinical experience. Clinical sites are located throughout the state.
For more information about course descriptions or required courses, refer to the current CCC&TI Course Catalog and its corresponding Addendum.
About our program
The Ophthalmic Medical Assistant program at CCC and TI is a member of the Consortium of Ophthalmic Training Programs (COTP), a non-profit corporation of ophthalmic educational programs in the U. S. and Canada.
CCCTI is home to the only CoA-OMP approved clinical assistant level program in North Carolina.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Ophthalmic Medical Assistant Program is to provide students with effective instruction, both in the classroom and clinical environment, to prepare them for employment in ophthalmic and optometric practices.
Employment Outlook
Ophthalmic medical personnel are in high demand. Graduates of the program may be employed in ophthalmic offices, hospitals, surgery centers, and optometric offices. Salary varies according to the size of the employing practice, experience and certification level of the employee.
Starting salaries for graduates of our program have been reported from $23,000 - $32,000 annually. With experience and additional certification, salary levels increase significantly.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment opportunities for Medical Assistants are expected to grow much faster than average through 2014.
Working Conditions
The DOL's Occupational Outlook Handbook states, "Medical assistants work in well-lighted, clean environments. They constantly interact with other people and may have to handle several responsibilities at once."
"Most full-time medical assistants work a regular 40-hour week. Many work part time, evenings, or weekends."
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Medical Assistants , on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos164.htm (visited April 13, 2006)).
For more information on area salaries and local employment outlooks, please email Barbara Harris or call (828) 726-2356.