Ophthalmic Surgical Assisting
Sub-specialty Certification |
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What is it?
Generally, Ophthalmic Surgical Assisting certificants will assist ophthalmologists during the entire surgical process, from pre-operation to post-operation and patient follow-up.
The Ophthalmic Surgical Assisting certification is one of JCAHPO’s four specialty certification levels. The Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant certification is available to certified ophthalmic medical personnel with a core level of certification who are interested in helping ophthalmologists with a variety of important surgical eye procedures.
What does it mean for me?
The Ophthalmic Surgical Assisting certification from JCAHPO is recognized and well respected as a standard within the surgical eye care community. It tells clinics, colleagues, and superiors that the candidate has completed the necessary steps toward certification and is equipped to perform the tasks and responsibilities of a surgical assistant in the eye care field. Certification at this level signifies that an individual has completed a select number of course credits or hours, demonstrated relevant work experience, and completed the corresponding certification examination.
Examples of tasks that the certificant would handle
Ophthalmic Surgical Assistants work under the supervision and direction of an ophthalmologist to perform clinical duties. Ophthalmic Surgical Assistants are knowledgeable in pre-operative preparation of the patient, surgical instruments, aseptic technique (scrubbing, gowning, gloving etc.), surgical procedures and complications, and surgical pharmacology. Generally, certificants will assist ophthalmologists during the entire surgical process, from pre-operation to post-operation and patient follow-up.
What makes it different from COA, COMT, CDOS, ROUB, and other JCAHPO certifications?
Ophthalmic Surgical Assisting is a sub-specialty certification level that may be attached to a JCAHPO core certification (COA, COT, or COMT). Certificants work in a very specific division of the eye care field.
How do I obtain the surgical assisting sub-specialty?
First, you must be certified at one of the JCAHPO core levels of certification (COA, COT, or COMT). Then, an individual can become eligible to take the examination in Ophthalmic Surgical Assisting via the following pathways:
- Graduate of an accredited, Formal Clinical Training Program
- On-the-job training
Click here for more detailed requirements on Surgical Assisting certification eligibility.