Ophthalmic certification is a win-win opportunity: getting certified provides a boost to your career and gives your patients the knowledge that you are recognized as a professional.

You may be asking yourself, "What is the best time in my career to consider certification?" Careers are built over time. Every day is an opportunity to learn every aspect of what you do. So, start your journey to certification right now.

If you are interested in making ophthalmic assisting a career, certification should immediately be on your radar. While working, you are, in essence, already studying for your certification test. Since some practices require certification at the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) level within one year of employment, you will need to start researching the certification requirements and preparing today.

To guide you toward certification, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Q. What benefits should I expect from certification?

A. Advancement! Remember, careers are built over time. With certification, opportunities avail themselves. In the clinical setting, you could become the lead technician on the floor, a diagnostic technician performing all advanced testing, a full-time supervisor, or a full-time preoperative technician, among others. Your certification and expertise will lead to promotions and more responsibility.

Another benefit is your marketability. Ophthalmic assistants are in short supply, and those who are certified can often negotiate better compensation. By becoming certified, you will be better-positioned to explore opportunities with practices that value more advanced qualifications and that will compensate you appropriately.

Q. I have heard some ophthalmic assistants say that their ophthalmologist only pays COAs $1.00/hr. more if I become a COA. Is that worth it?

A. Oh, it’s worth it. Think about it: in terms of pre-tax dollars, $1/hr. translates to $8/day, $40 per week, and totals $2,080 the first year of your COA certification. Now, consider that for the next 3 years you will be studying for the COT, and you’ll have made $6,000 more than if you didn’t become certified. Are you going to say no to that?

Q. How will I pay for the certification?

A. Every practice has its own policy regarding certification. Some practices support their employees with funds or incentives for certification. Some practices that require certification of their technical staff will reimburse you after you've achieved your certification. Some, not all, will buy study resources that can be used by all their staff. Hospital-based practices even require certification of their technical staff and will help pay for it.

If your employer has no policy regarding reimbursement for certification (financial or otherwise), you might still ask. When the ophthalmologist and administrative staff realize the value of certification and how it will positively impact overall patient care, they will embrace you and your desire to advance your career.

The practice may still decline reimbursing you for certification, but it is up to you to guide your career. Ultimately, you are the only one responsible for your success.

Q. I haven't had an opportunity to attend a formal education program — what do I do?

A. You’re not alone. Many ophthalmic assistants start their career on the job. Make every day an opportunity to learn new aspects of what you do, and focus on each component of the job. Put yourself in learning mode at all times. For example, when learning applanation tonometry, learn the principles, why it is essential, and become proficient at performing it. Then move on to another task to focus on, and so on. At the same time, start researching the certification requirements and begin studying long before scheduling the test.

Even if your current employer doesn’t require certification, seek it for yourself. Speak with co-workers who are certified about what motivated them to get certified. Ask them to mentor you.

Learning never stops in our profession, as medicine is continuously changing. Technology has improved eye care significantly over the years, and with that comes the need to continue learning.

Q. What are the requirements of IJCAHPO certification?

A. International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) has specific eligibility requirements to becoming a COA, the first level of certification. You are eligible to take the COA test by graduating from high school or the equivalent or by completing an approved independent study course, such as the JCAT or the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Ophthalmic Medical Assisting course. If you completed the JCAT or AAO course more than 36 months ago, you will need to repeat one of them or submit 18 IJCAHPO Group A credits for each year following the 36 months and have 1,000 hours of work experience under an ophthalmologist’s supervision 12 months before submitting your application.

COA is the basic level and will provide you with a great foundation of knowledge. After COA, the next step is Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT). COT is an intermediate level, and it focuses on optics, refraction, and ocular motility test skill, thus increasing your skills and marketability even more. The most advanced level of certification is the Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT). A COT can take the COMT test after being employed for 6,000 hours and maintaining their COT certification.

Q. What other certifications are available, and should I consider one or more of them?

A. There are many certifications for ophthalmic staff to pursue, and you must look at what you do best and whether you would be happy to concentrate on a specialty.

For example, some ophthalmic photographers were ophthalmic assistants before they began to concentrate on imaging. Some become certified by the Ophthalmic Photographers Society and primarily perform imaging in the office they work in. The OCT-C credential indicates proficiency in the OCT technology. With both IJCAHPO and OPS certifications, you can perform both quality work-ups on patients and imaging, thus, increasing your value to the practice.

If you’re performing A-scans, you could consider becoming a Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist (ROUB); if you enjoy doing B-Scans in a retina practice, the Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS) certification may be for you. Both of these are subspecialty certifications offered by IJCAHPO.

If you are fortunate enough to accompany your surgeon to the OR, the Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant (OSA) certification may prove valuable. This also is offered by IJCAHPO after having achieved COA.

Some COAs, COTs, or COMTs find they enjoy supervising the business side of the practice. Many move on to management and seek certification from the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators (ASOA). The Certified Ophthalmic Executive (COE) is a valuable asset to the ophthalmology practice and can be instrumental in the success of the office.

The Ophthalmic Scribe Certified (OSC) credential indicates that you understand and perform chart documentation in ophthalmology as a scribe. Any ophthalmic assistant can obtain the OSC certification.

The Opthalmic Coding Specialist (OCS) exam tests your coding knowledge. Both of these are online tests, the former offered by IJCAHPO and the latter by the AAO.

Conclusion

This article answers just some of the questions regarding how and why to get certified. We invite you to send us your questions as well. Email me or post your questions on Ophthalmic Professional's social media pages and/or Ophthalmic Techs on Facebook for any additional questions you may have. OP