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

Interested candidates are asked to go to the Dartmouth Health Careers site. Note that this is an on-the-job training program, and training opportunities dependent on current needs in the clinic. In the ‘Search by Keyword’ field, enter ophthalmic assistant, and then click the search button. If a full-time OA position is listed, please submit your application through the Careers site. Note that the position will not specify that it is a trainee position, but through the initial screening conversations, training and certification needs will be discussed.

If an OA position does not show on our Careers site, please check back at a future time. The OA positions are available based on the changing staffing needs of the clinic and trainees are selected as qualified candidates are identified through the application process.