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Ophthalmology surgical technician vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant

The differences between ophthalmology surgical 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 ophthalmology surgical 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 $43,454 average annual salary of an ophthalmology surgical technician.

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

Ophthalmology surgical technician vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant overview

Ophthalmology Surgical TechnicianCertified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant
Yearly salary$43,454$44,864
Hourly rate$20.89$21.57
Growth rate16%-
Number of jobs33,52759,884
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age4141
Years of experience22

Ophthalmology surgical technician vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant salary

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

Ophthalmology Surgical TechnicianCertified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant
Average salary$43,454$44,864
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $63,000Between $30,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between ophthalmology surgical technician and certified ophthalmic surgical assistant education

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

Ophthalmology Surgical TechnicianCertified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesNursing
Most common college--

Ophthalmology surgical technician vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant demographics

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

Ophthalmology Surgical TechnicianCertified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 20.2% Female, 79.8%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 ophthalmology surgical technician and certified ophthalmic surgical assistant duties and responsibilities

Ophthalmology surgical technician example responsibilities.

  • Work daily with EHR, manual keratomerty, topography, pachymetry, visual field testing, macular OCT, and CCT.
  • Perform optical examinations obtaining patients chief complaints, demographic information and medical history.
  • Document medications, record allergies.
  • Discuss IOL options with patient.
  • Provide review/grammar correction of medical chart dictations for the doctor in the ophthalmology department.
  • Assist ophthalmologists in ophthalmic surgery, observe patients under anesthesia by using various health monitoring equipment.
  • Show more

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.

Ophthalmology surgical technician vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant skills

Common ophthalmology surgical technician skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • Field Testing, 7%
  • Visual Fields, 5%
  • Surgical Procedures, 5%
  • Visual Acuity, 4%
  • Diagnostic Tests, 4%
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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