ANMC’s ophthalmic technicians provide essential eye care for our people
November 13, 2017
The ANMC Ophthalmology Clinic recently celebrated Allied Ophthalmic Personnel (AOP) Week, which recognized our highly trained and dedicated ophthalmic technicians.
The ANMC Ophthalmology Clinic currently has seven ophthalmic technicians. Six of the ophthalmic technicians are currently Certified Ophthalmic Assistants (COA), with one working on their COA credential. An additional technician is working toward their Certified Ophthalmic Technician credential.
Our ophthalmic technicians play an important role in the examination process by working under the direction of board-certified ophthalmologists. Our technicians are not only vital to providing excellent eye care in our clinic, but a few are also trained to scrub in with our doctors in eye surgery.
“Ophthalmic technicians are essential in quality eye care. They are often the initial encounter in the ophthalmic examination for our patients and are highly skilled in numerous diagnostic testing modalities,” said Dr. Robert Davis, ANMC Ophthalmology Service Medical Director. “They allow the surgeons to focus on interacting with our patients to provide efficient eye exams and better health care.”
Upon hire, if not already completed, technicians begin the process of studying to pass the COA examination process offered by Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel. Newly hired technicians spend a significant amount of time shadowing and being mentored by our board certified doctors and seasoned technicians to learn all about ophthalmology. Once a staff member obtains their COA certification, they are required to take continuing education courses to stay well versed in the rapidly advancing and evolving field of ophthalmology.
An ophthalmic assistant career is an exciting option with room for growth outside of the clinic setting. Please join us in celebrating our wonderful technicians!