Ophthalmic Assistant Training

Career Overview

The ophthalmic assistant (OA) is a healthcare professional who works alongside ophthalmologists and optometrists to provide patient care in an ophthalmology setting.

OAs assist with all clinical duties including but not limited to: monitoring patient arrivals, performing basic eye exams, gathering and documentation of patient health and eye history, providing patient assistance with navigating the clinic, and providing an exceptional patient experience.

Paid Training and Career Advancement

On-site at the Lebanon Ophthalmology Clinic located at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, qualified candidates are provided paid on-the-job training to gain the knowledge and skills needed to perform all the required duties of an ophthalmic assistant.

Successful OA trainees are then eligible and expected to sit for the iJCAHPO Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Exam (COA) within their first year of work. The International Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology is the certifying body of allied health professionals in ophthalmology. This training opens an advanced career pathway and opportunities to pursue additional iJCAHPO certifications such as Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT), Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT), and others.

How to Apply

This on-the-job training opportunity is available on an as-needed basis, depending on the clinic’s staffing needs. Training is provided for full-time Ophthalmic Assistant positions in the D-H Lebanon Clinic located at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

There is no set schedule for when an OA position or training opportunity will be available. To check for current openings, interested candidates should visit the Dartmouth Health Careers site, and then:

• In the ‘Search by Keyword’ field, enter ophthalmic assistant, and click the search button
• If an Ophthalmic Assistant position is available, check that it is a full-time position, located in D-H Lebanon Clinic, and that it does not include ‘Certified’ in the job title. The job description will not specify that it provides on-the-job training, but certification needs will be discussed as part of the screening process
• Once you confirm there is an open position, submit your application through the Careers site
• If an Ophthalmic Assistant position is not available on the Careers site, check back at a future date

Visit the Dartmouth Health Careers site now to see if an Ophthalmic Assistant position is available today.