Ophthalmic Technician, AAS - Academic Plan
2023-2024
Total Credits: 63
Ophthalmic technicians are skilled medical professionals who work alongside ophthalmologists to perform eye exams, diagnose diseases, and administer treatments in caring for patients' eyes and eyesight. Once you graduate, you'll be ready for the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) certification exam at the Ophthalmic Technician Level. You will learn core medical and eye care principles and gain industry knowledge through courses such anatomy and physiology, clinical optics, vision care, pathology, and pharmacology. You'll get experience in clinical settings and practicums. Courses are in-person / face-to-face with hands-on labs and experience with industry equipment.
Program Outcomes
- Patient Care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of ophthalmic health problems and the promotion of health
- Medical Knowledge about ophthalmic and systemic disease and cognate sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care
- Interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange and teaming with patients, their families, and other health professionals
- Professionalism, as manifested through a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to a diverse patient population
- Community and health services that demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care and the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide care that is of optimal value
- Technical and scientific skills adequate to administer treatment, perform tasks, and collect data as ordered by an ophthalmologist
Recommended Sequence (Full-Time Track)
Year 1: Fall
4 Credits
OR
3 Credits or higher
3 Credits
Year 1: Spring
3 Credits
OR
3 Credits
4 Credits
Year 1: Summer
Year 2: Fall
4 Credits
5 Credits
3 Credits
Year 2: Spring
Recommended Sequence (Part-Time Track)
Year 1: Fall
3 Credits or higher
3 Credits
Year 1: Spring
4 Credits
OR
Year 1: Summer
4 Credits
Year 2: Fall
3 Credits
OR
3 Credits
5 Credits
Year 2: Spring
3 Credits
Year 2: Summer
Year 3: Fall
4 Credits
Year 3: Spring
Notes
- Most General Education courses listed require college level readiness as measured by Accuplacer, ACT, or SAT scores; approved high school course work that is less than five years old; or successful completion of appropriate college-readiness course.
- *BIO 2101 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab: GT-SC1* taken before or concurrent with OPT 1011
- **MAT 1140 must be taken before OPT 1041
- ***In order to meet program requirements, students registered for ENG 1021 or ENG 1031 must also register for ENG 0094 unless they can demonstrate otherwise meeting the ENG 0094 standard through assessment testing, prior college coursework, or recent High School coursework. See an Advisor for details.
- AAA 1001 – College 101: Student Experience is required for all new college students seeking degrees or transfer.
- Students must complete a Criminal Background Check prior to being accepted into the OPT program and renew as necessary while they are enrolled in the program.
- All OPT courses must be completed within four years of starting the Major Courses.
- You may begin the required General Education courses prior to taking OPT courses according to published semester schedules. Check with your Financial Aid Advisor to determine eligibility and requirements.
- OPT classes cannot be taken out of sequence for either track. The only exception is HPR 1040 Comprehensive Medical Terminology which is an open enrollment course (can be taken anytime) according to published schedules. Check with your Financial Aid Advisor to determine eligibility and requirements.
- OPT 2088 and OPT 2089 requires the student to complete 280 hours for each on-site practicum experience.
- The Associate of Applied Science degree in Ophthalmic Technician is designed to enable a student to develop the technical skills necessary for the healthcare industry.
- The OPT program is pursuing accreditation by the International Council of Accreditation. Refer to the 2022/2023 Catalog for program admission, elective course, and graduation requirements; consult the OPT Department for specific course planning information and guidance and utilize DegreeCheck to monitor progress. To graduate from this program, visit www.arapahoe.edu/graduation and submit the graduation application by the deadline. This information is subject to change without notice.