Everyone understands the value of good eyesight and its importance in terms of quality of life. It’s important to do our part to take care of our eyes and to turn to qualified medical staff for proper treatment and care.

When the time comes to seek care which might involve surgical procedures on our eyes, it’s assuring to know there are professionally trained individuals we can trust for help.

Fayetteville Technical Community College offers a program of study designed to equip qualified ophthalmic personnel with the educational preparation necessary to assume the role of Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant. The three-semester certificate program, designed for Certified Ophthalmic Assistants and Certified Ophthalmic Technicians or Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologists, provides a convenient pathway for these certified ophthalmic personnel to enhance their career opportunities by obtaining the certification to become an Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant.

The need to develop OSAs is nationally recognized, with ophthalmologists agreeing that the training could provide significant assistance with the mechanical and technical aspects of ophthalmic surgery.
OSAs work under the direction of an ophthalmologist. In addition to assisting during surgery, the OSA assists with preparing surgical instruments and preparing patients for procedures.

The OSA may also assist with administering evaluations and tests before and after surgery. In some cases, the ophthalmic surgical assistant may assist patients with follow-up after surgery.
The employment opportunities for graduates of FTCC’s Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant Program is expected to grow, and successful graduates of the program are eligible to apply for the Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant national certification exam. Employment opportunities include hospitals, clinics and educational institutions. The program will provide current COAs and COTs with another unique career option in the health care industry.

The didactic portion of the program is taught online, and the laboratory portion is taught during the evenings. This format combining online and evening instruction provides a way for interested candidates to continue working while completing the educational requirements for the program.

This program is designed for entry during the fall semester, and individuals entering the program must currently be employed as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant, Certified Ophthalmic Technician or Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist.

Graduates of FTCC’s Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant program may be eligible to sit for the OSA sub-specialty certification administered by the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology.

During the course of the program, students will apply theoretical knowledge to the care of ophthalmic surgical patients and develop the skills necessary to prepare supplies, equipment and instruments, maintain aseptic conditions,

prepare patients for ophthalmic surgery, and assist ophthalmologists during surgery.

Registration for fall classes is open, and fall classes begin Aug. 21. For more information about FTCC visit www.faytechcc.edu. To learn more about the OSA Program, please search “ophthalmic” at the website or call 910-678-8358 or email herringt@faytechcc.edu.