What is a certified ophthalmic assistant and how to become one

Key steps to become a certified ophthalmic assistant

1. Explore certified ophthalmic assistant education requirements

   Most common certified ophthalmic assistant degrees

   Bachelor's

   35.1 %

   Associate

   28.6 %

   High School Diploma

   13.9 %

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2. Start to develop specific certified ophthalmic assistant skills

   Skills	Percentages
   Patients	18.33%
   Patient Care	8.25%
   Ophthalmology	6.14%
   COA	5.21%
   Triage	4.14%

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3. Complete relevant certified ophthalmic assistant training and internships

   Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New certified ophthalmic assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a certified ophthalmic assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real certified ophthalmic assistant resumes.

4. Gain additional certified ophthalmic assistant certifications

   Certified ophthalmic assistant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific certified ophthalmic assistant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

   The most common certifications for certified ophthalmic assistants include Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) and Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA).

   More About Certifications

5. Research certified ophthalmic assistant duties and responsibilities

   • Perform documentation and manage troubleshooting activities with the Compulink EHR software.
   • Check angles, Intraocular pressure by application and tonopen.
   • Screen patients in a general ophthalmology and optometry practice.
   • Perform contrast sensitivity, corneal topography, pachymetry, and Fundus photography.

6. Prepare your certified ophthalmic assistant resume

   When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your certified ophthalmic assistant resume.

   You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a certified ophthalmic assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

   Choose from 10+ customizable certified ophthalmic assistant resume templates

   Build a professional certified ophthalmic assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your certified ophthalmic assistant resume.
   

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7. Apply for certified ophthalmic assistant jobs

   Now it's time to start searching for a certified ophthalmic assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

   1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
   2. Consult your professional network
   3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
   4. Watch out for job scams