The Duke Ophthalmic Technician Program is an allied health certificate program that prepares students for a career in eye care. The well-established program has been training future ophthalmic technicians for more than 35 years.
The one year program consists of 3 months of didactic training in a classroom setting, followed by 9 months of clinical rotations at the Duke Eye Center and satellite locations where students are able to apply their skills and gain a greater understanding of complex ophthalmic conditions while also becoming essential and valued members of our Duke Eye Center team. The clinical rotations allow students to gain experience in a variety of high volume, multi-specialty clinics and learn from some of the best technicians and ophthalmologists in the country.
The ophthalmic technician field is currently experiencing a severe national shortage, creating a high demand in ophthalmology practices. More than 90% of Duke Ophthalmic Technician program graduates secure a position within a month of graduation and have excelled in their careers; becoming team leads, clinical operations managers and ophthalmic photographers, among other eye care and leadership roles.
In order to begin the program, students must have earned a high school diploma and be 18 at start of clinical rotations. Following completion of this accelerated, full time program, graduates are prepared to take the Ophthalmic Technician certification exam, guaranteed financial security and have a variety of career options. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who are interested in a direct patient care role.