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Ophthalmic medical technician vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant

The differences between ophthalmic medical technicians and certified ophthalmic surgical assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an ophthalmic medical technician and a certified ophthalmic surgical assistant. Additionally, a certified ophthalmic surgical assistant has an average salary of $44,864, which is higher than the $44,422 average annual salary of an ophthalmic medical technician.

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

Ophthalmic medical technician vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant overview

Ophthalmic Medical TechnicianCertified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant
Yearly salary$44,422$44,864
Hourly rate$21.36$21.57
Growth rate16%-
Number of jobs59,87659,884
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age4141
Years of experience22

Ophthalmic medical technician vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant salary

Ophthalmic medical technicians and certified ophthalmic surgical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Ophthalmic Medical TechnicianCertified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant
Average salary$44,422$44,864
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $65,000Between $30,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CityAndover, MN-
Highest paying stateOregon-
Best paying companyOmni Eye Specialists-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between ophthalmic medical technician and certified ophthalmic surgical assistant education

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

Ophthalmic Medical TechnicianCertified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianNursing
Most common college--

Ophthalmic medical technician vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant demographics

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

Ophthalmic Medical TechnicianCertified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 21.6% Female, 78.4%Male, 10.1% Female, 89.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 14.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

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

Ophthalmic medical technician example responsibilities.

  • Provide outstanding service to patients in a fast-pace environment.
  • Provide instructions to patients and family members regarding medications and treatments.
  • Perform clinic work-ups/manifest refraction utilizing EMR, program and maintain laser equipment, clinical photography, and assist physicians during surgeries.
  • Compile surgery charts verifying that consents, sign HIPAA forms, and all other necessary paperwork are include prior to procedure.
  • Greet patients and ensure accurate demographic and insurance information into their electronic chart following HiPPA compliance in a paperless practice.

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.

Ophthalmic medical technician vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant skills

Common ophthalmic medical technician skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • Patient Care, 15%
  • Field Testing, 10%
  • Laser, 9%
  • Diagnostic Tests, 4%
  • Visual Fields, 3%
Common certified ophthalmic surgical assistant skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Surgery, 14%
  • In-Office, 6%
  • Laser Treatments, 6%
  • Medical History, 5%
  • IOL, 5%

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