Certified ophthalmic surgical assistant vs surgical assistant

The differences between certified ophthalmic surgical assistants and surgical assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a surgical assistant has an average salary of $52,170, which is higher than the $44,864 average annual salary of a certified ophthalmic surgical assistant.

The top three skills for a certified ophthalmic surgical assistant include patients, surgery and in-office. The most important skills for a surgical assistant are patients, surgical procedures, and patient care.

Certified ophthalmic surgical assistant vs surgical assistant overview

	Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant	Surgical Assistant
Yearly salary	$44,864	$52,170
Hourly rate	$21.57	$25.08
Growth rate	-	8%
Number of jobs	59,884	28,138
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age	41	43
Years of experience	2	-

Certified ophthalmic surgical assistant vs surgical assistant salary

Certified ophthalmic surgical assistants and surgical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant	Surgical Assistant
Average salary	$44,864	$52,170
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $65,000	Between $35,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	Baptist Health Care
Best paying industry	-	Utilities

Differences between certified ophthalmic surgical assistant and surgical assistant education

There are a few differences between a certified ophthalmic surgical assistant and a surgical assistant in terms of educational background:

	Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant	Surgical Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	-	-

Certified ophthalmic surgical assistant vs surgical assistant demographics

Here are the differences between certified ophthalmic surgical assistants' and surgical assistants' demographics:

	Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant	Surgical Assistant
Average age	41	43
Gender ratio	Male, 10.1% Female, 89.9%	Male, 20.7% Female, 79.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 9.1% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	10%

Differences between certified ophthalmic surgical assistant and surgical assistant duties and responsibilities

Certified ophthalmic surgical assistant example responsibilities.

Manage surgical scheduling, cataract evaluations, ultrasounds, keratometry, IOL selection, and preoperative exam for surgery.
Perform technical examination, testing and evaluation of cancer patients in outpatient setting and bedside.
Perform clinic work-ups/manifest refraction utilizing EMR, program and maintain laser equipment, clinical photography, and assist physicians during surgeries.
Project management and event coordinator responsibilities; Dr. Garcia hosts and attends numerous continuing education events yearly.

Surgical assistant example responsibilities.

Manage medical records and document examination notes, prescriptions, and procedure details in EMR.
Manage surgical scheduling, cataract evaluations, ultrasounds, keratometry, IOL selection, and preoperative exam for surgery.
Prepare patients for examination by taking their vitals, and performing EKG when need.
Assist with all dental procedures, order all supplies, maintain equipment and OSHA handbook.
Assist surgeons in surgical procedures making incisions, manipulating tissues and organs, cauterizing, suturing and dressing wounds.
Interview patients, review patient medical history, gather and educate patients on their medications.

Certified ophthalmic surgical assistant vs surgical assistant skills

Common certified ophthalmic surgical assistant skills

Patients, 29%
Surgery, 14%
In-Office, 6%
Laser Treatments, 6%
Medical History, 5%
IOL, 5%

Common surgical assistant skills

Patients, 27%
Surgical Procedures, 12%
Patient Care, 9%
Vital Signs, 5%
CPR, 5%
Infection Control, 3%

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Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant
Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant vs Surgical Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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