Eye Technician: Career information
Career overview
Oregon projects substantial job growth of 24.95-46% through 2031, with average salaries in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area reaching $50,373 annually. This career path offers stability and promising earning potential.
The Eye Technician program is well known throughout the ophthalmic community and the program will receive local, regional, and national job listings throughout the year. While the Eye Technician program does not actually place graduates, job openings are posted through the college career center and students are notified via email of such opportunities. While assistance is provided to students for employment opportunities, a job cannot be guaranteed or promised to anyone.
Certification and licensure
During the first term of the Eye Technician program, students will study and take the Ophthalmic Scribe Certification (OSC) exam. The OSC test is given as an open-book test through iJCAHPO, which can be saved and returned to later. After successful completion, students will have OSC credentials that can be used after their name and allows them to be eligible to document in electronic health records during practicum rotations.
Students who successfully complete the Eye Technician program are eligible to take the internationally recognized Certified Ophthalmic Technician certification exam given by the International Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (iJCAHPO) just prior to the end of their time in the program (end of fall term). An application must be filed and exam fees paid during the term prior (by summer term) of the Eye Technician program. The program director will provide the necessary information prior to the time applications must be submitted. Grade options for Eye Technician courses in the final term of the program are mostly limited to Pass/No Pass. When a student successfully completes (passes) the national certification examination, final course examinations will be waived. Should a student not pass the examination, course finals will be required, and the Pass/No Pass grade will be awarded.
Although the Eye Technician program has a strong reputation for students successfully passing their COT written examination, the program cannot guarantee that every student will pass. It is up to the individual student to review the COT course materials and study well in advance before the COT examination date.
If a student successfully passes the COT exam but does not pass all the required Eye Technician courses with (70% or Pass), iJCAHPO will not release the certificate to the candidate regardless of passing the written COT exam. Students then would be given the opportunity to complete the incomplete coursework to achieve passing or would be required to retake the course for a passing grade. This would be determined on a case-by-case situation.
Professional associations
Students of the Eye Technician program are required to create an account with iJCAHPO. With this free membership, students have access to EyecareCE courses and the Ophthalmic Scribe Certification exam that will enhance professional training and development. Some of those CE courses and exams will be required to be completed, as assigned by program instructors.
Other student membership opportunities include a student rate at Ophthalmic Photographers’ Society (OPS). A copy of the PCC student ID sent with an application to OPS is required to receive a discounted membership rate for one year. Benefits include full access to the OPS website, the quarterly OPS journal, and member forum access.