Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 16 UCW APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2023 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 de- signed to equip qualified ophthalmic personnel with the educational prepa- ration necessary to assume the role of Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant. e three-semester certificate program, designed for Certified Ophthalmic Assistants and Certified Ophthalmic Technicians or Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologists, provides a convenient pathway for these certi- fied ophthalmic personnel to enhance their career opportunities by obtain- ing the certification to become an Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant. e need to develop OSAs is nation- ally recognized, with ophthalmolo- gists 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 as- sisting during surgery, the OSA assists with preparing surgical instruments and preparing patients for procedures. e OSA may also assist with ad- ministering evaluations and tests be- fore and after surgery. In some cases, the ophthalmic surgical assistant may assist patients with follow-up after surgery. e 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 na- tional certification exam. Employment opportunities include hospitals, clin- ics and educational institutions. e program will provide current COAs and COTs with another unique career option in the health care industry. e didactic portion of the program is taught online, and the laboratory portion is taught during the evenings. is format combining online and evening instruction provides a way for interested candidates to continue working while completing the education- al requirements for the program. is program is designed for entry during the fall semester, and individuals entering the program must currently be em- ployed as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant, Certified Ophthalmic Technician or Certified Ophthal- mic 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 Ophthal- mology. During the course of the program, students will apply theoretical knowl- edge to the care of ophthalmic surgi- cal 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. FTCC's Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant Program leads to career opportunities by TERRY HERRING EDUCATION Celebration SATURDAY, MAY 13 | 7:30PM HUFF CONCERT HALL | METHODIST UNIVERSITY Our season closes with a program that brings together performers from our community to perform alongside the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra in an exciting collaborative concert. Visit fayettevillesymphony.org or call the office at 910.433.4690. Tickets can be purchased at the door the night of the performance. This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. SELLING A BUSINESS? BUYING A BUSINESS? Business Sales • Mergers & Acquisitions • Franchises akelsey@tworld.com Ashley Kelsey (910) 302-6447 www.transworldeast.com TERRY HERRING, FTCC Surgical Services Division Chairperson. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. 910-484-6200 FTCC offers a program to train ophthalmic personnel to become surgical assistants.