Where life and learning click
While SAIT Polytechnic has been offering its Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate of Achievement program in the traditional manner for a number of years, offering the program online for the past three years has helped expand the program’s reach to a broader audience.
“It’s the way of the future,” says Ophthalmic Instructor, Craig Simms. “SAIT's initial goal was to go online and make the program internationally available.”
“And we have since had two students from Australia take the program,” he adds.
The program provides students with the background knowledge necessary to be a successful ophthalmic assistant. Students learn ocular anatomy and physiology as well as ophthalmic skills including visual assessment, patient history recording, colour vision and visual field testing and take modules covering ocular diseases and emergencies, instrument maintenance, patient services and office procedures.
To be admitted into the program, students must be employed by an ophthalmologist.
“The program is designed to be a supplement to the students’ current knowledge and builds on their existing skills,” Simms says.
The courses are completely online; however the students’ hands-on skills are supplemented by a preceptorship (supervised practical training) through their employer.
“In other words, the students’ work is their practicum,” Simms says. “The profession is very hands on and the students must complete a skills component on which a preceptor – usually the students’ employer or a certified co-worker – signs off.”
The program has room for 25 students each term and is offered in two parts, each of which students have four months to complete.
Graduates can continue working as ophthalmic assistants and are eligible for the certification exams. Once certified, they may pursue the ophthalmic technician certification, which is another step up.
“The program,” Simms says, “is a gateway to certification offered by The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology, the international body that certifies ophthalmic personnel in Canada, the U.S. and around the world.”
As well, Simms says there is strong demand for program graduates.
“Although it is purely anecdotal, employees are always looking for well trained and knowledgeable staff and certification helps that much more.”
In addition to the new career opportunities students enjoy, they also seem to enjoy the course itself.
“The students I have spoken to tend to be very happy with the program. In general they seem happy with the content and the opportunity to complete their program part time and online.”
Learn more about SAIT Polytechnic's online Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate of Achievement program.
© 2012 eCampusAlberta