Programs handbooks

Eye Technician: Program overview

About

Welcome to PCC and the HEP Pathway

Welcome to Portland Community College and the start of your path to a rewarding career!

The Healthcare & Emergency Professions (HEP) pathway provides opportunities for students to gain certificates, degrees, licensure, and/or credentials to further their careers in healthcare and emergency services fields. Many of our programs provide hands-on learning opportunities with advanced technology, practical training in clinical settings, and instructors with industry experience. Program graduates are in high demand in the healthcare and emergency professions industry and have the potential to earn excellent wages and benefits.

For more information about the Healthcare & Emergency Professions pathway, see the programs offered. See the Healthcare programs comparison chart to compare degrees and certificates offered, program costs, and potential salaries offered in each career path.

Welcome to the Eye Technician program

Dear Eye Technician program participant,

On behalf of Portland Community College, I am thrilled to welcome you to our Eye Technician (ET) program! We are delighted that you have chosen to embark on this journey with us, and we look forward to supporting you in your pursuit of excellence in the field of eye care.

This program has been meticulously designed to provide you with comprehensive training and hands-on experience that will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive as an eye technician. Whether you are starting your career in eye care or seeking to enhance your existing skills, our program aims to meet your professional goals and aspirations.

Throughout your time with us, you will have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, engage in practical exercises, and immerse yourself in the latest advancements in eye care technology. We are committed to fostering an environment where learning is both stimulating and rewarding, and where you feel empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our patients.

Please take full advantage of all the resources available to you, ask questions, and actively participate in discussions and practical sessions. Your dedication and enthusiasm are invaluable as we work together to shape the future of eye care.

Once again, welcome to the Eye Technician program at Portland Community College. We are excited to have you on board and are confident that your journey here will be both enriching and fulfilling. We are here to help you on your journey for the next year and know that your vision is our focus to achieving a certificate in an Eye Technician program at PCC that would allow you to become a certified ophthalmic technician.

Should you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Best regards,

Ellie Bessarab, MHA COT NCLE-C
Program Director/Co-Faculty Department Chair

About the Eye Technician program

The Eye Technician program prepares students to become certified ophthalmic technicians (COTs). It is located at the Cascade Campus of Portland Community College (PCC) in the Healthcare and Emergency Professions Pathway. Other programs within this pathway include: Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Protection, Health Information Management, Medical Assisting, Medical Imaging, Medical Lab Technology, Nursing, and Veterinary Technology.

As integral members of the ophthalmic community, certified ophthalmic technicians play a vital role in patient care, collaborating closely with ophthalmologists across various subspecialties.

PCC’s Eye Technician program stands out with unique features including flexible class formats, and instructors who bring extensive field knowledge. The program’s commitment to person-centered care, comprehensive curriculum, and supportive learning environment distinguishes our graduates.

Mission and values

Mission statement

The Eye Technician program aims to provide comprehensive training in an inclusive environment that fosters the full potential of every student. Regardless of age, race, culture, economic background, or prior education, the program offers opportunities for personal growth and achievement of professional aspirations.

The program’s mission includes providing access to residents of the PCC district, as well as individuals from Oregon, Southwest Washington, and international students seeking specialized training in eye care to become certified ophthalmic technicians. Central to achieving its goals is the establishment and nurturing of partnerships within the eye care community. These partnerships not only help maintain the program’s quality but also offer valuable training opportunities for students.

Through effective teaching methods and robust student support services, the program is dedicated to preparing its students for success. This preparation extends beyond academic excellence to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive as individuals, contribute to the ophthalmic profession, and actively engage as responsible citizens.

Values

The Eye Technician program believes that it provides foundations for student success through a worthwhile curriculum that is practical, theoretical, and of high quality.

The program provides an environment to create outstanding health care professionals. The faculty and staff are enthusiastic about teaching and learning, and have unwavering respect for all students and staff.

Goals and objectives

The goal of the Portland Community College Eye Technician program is to prepare students to become competent certified ophthalmic technicians. The program aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors to succeed in the field of ophthalmology and to enter the profession effectively.

Eye Technician program objectives

The intended goals of the Eye Technician program are:

  • Admission criteria: Select students who demonstrate the potential to successfully complete the program. Provide appropriate counseling for applicants needing developmental or preparatory courses before entering the program.
  • Curriculum development: Develop and maintain a curriculum that integrates general education, clinical training, and related subjects extensively. Base the curriculum on the job-entry requirements of the ophthalmic community and professional organizations.
  • Clinical learning experiences: Utilize a variety of healthcare facilities in the community to offer diverse and comprehensive clinical learning experiences for students.
  • Graduation goals: Graduate a sufficient number of eye technicians to meet the workforce demands of the ophthalmic community.
  • Flexibility in course completion:
    • Develop a program structure that allows applicants to customize their path to completion based on their previous education and experience.
    • Implement mechanisms such as credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, and flexible scheduling to accommodate diverse applicant backgrounds.
  • Variety of learning processes:
    • Offer multiple learning modalities (e.g., lectures, labs, clinical rotations, online modules) to cater to different learning styles and preferences.
    • Incorporate hands-on training, simulations, and interactive sessions to enhance practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
  • Community relevance and advisory involvement:
    • Establish advisory committees comprising experts from the ophthalmic medical field to provide guidance on curriculum development and program updates.
    • Conduct periodic graduate follow-up studies to assess alumni success and gather feedback for continuous improvement.
    • Engage with employers to ensure graduates are equipped with skills aligned with current industry needs.
    • Undertake regular program evaluations and seek accreditation to maintain quality standards and relevance to community needs.
  • Staff recruitment, development, and retention:
    • Recruit staff who align with the values of community colleges and believe in the potential of every individual to learn.
    • Focus on hiring educators who are dedicated to the Eye Technician curriculum.
    • Emphasize the importance of continuing education for staff, both in their professional fields and as educators.
  • Community involvement:
    • Encourage practitioners to serve on advisory committees for the Eye Technician program.
    • Foster participation of practitioners in the clinical affiliations offered by the program, enhancing real-world learning experiences for students.
  • Educational technology integration:
    • Utilize educational technology effectively to enhance the learning experience.
    • Examples include videos, online resources, films, animations, slides, etc., tailored to support the curriculum and improve learning outcomes.
  • Staff involvement and curriculum development:
    • Engage staff in regular evaluation of the curriculum.
    • Revise instructional approaches based on staff feedback.
    • Develop curriculum through workshops and instructional materials projects.
  • Equipment maintenance and availability:
    • Ensure laboratory and clinical equipment reflects professional standards.
    • Ensure equipment is operational, available, and up to date in both campus and clinical settings.
  • Faculty involvement in recruitment:
    • Involve faculty in student recruitment efforts for the program and the profession.
  • Library and audio/visual resources:
    • Maintain adequate and current library resources for the program.
    • Ensure availability of up-to-date audio/visual materials.
  • Student counseling and job opportunities:
    • Provide individual counseling for students as needed.
    • Inform students about relevant job opportunities referred to the program.
  • Professionalism and legal responsibilities:
    • Promote awareness of the limitations and legal responsibilities of eye technicians.
  • Pride in vocational education:
    • Foster pride in vocational education preparation among students.
    • Instill pride in the Eye Technician profession.
    • Emphasize professional conduct and ethics among students.

Graduate achievement

PCC’s Eye Technician program, and its predecessor, the Ophthalmic Medical Technology program, are renowned for their dedication to student success, exemplified by outstanding retention, national exam pass rates, and job placement records. Graduates not only excel as certified ophthalmic technicians but also use their solid foundation to pursue advanced healthcare careers. Many alumni have progressed to become doctors of optometry, orthoptists, ophthalmic photographers, and specialists in various ophthalmology subspecialties and clinic management roles. At PCC, the nurturing learning environment empowers students to achieve their utmost potential and leave a significant mark in the healthcare sector.

The International Council of Accreditation requires programs to share the student retention rate and the International Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) exam pass rate. The following information is based on a five-year average (2020-2024) and data represents Ophthalmic Medical Technology program graduates.

  • 87% retention rate
  • 87% international COT exam pass rate

Accreditation

Portland Community College is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). For more information, see the college’s Accreditation webpage.

The Eye Technician Program is accredited by the International Council of Accreditation (ICA).

To file a complaint with the ICA, communicate with them via this contact information:
2025 Woodlane Dr.
St. Paul, MN 55125
United States of America
Phone: 651-731-7242
ica@icaccreditation.org

Costs

In addition to the costs of attending Portland Community College, there are costs associated specifically with the Eye Technician program. Students should anticipate the following costs:

  • Textbooks, scrubs, and clinical requirement platforms: $1,300

Leadership

Janeen Hull
PCC – Academic & Career Pathways Dean

See the PCC Organizational Guide for information about college administration.

Contacts

Portland Community College
Cascade Campus
705 N. Killingsworth Street
Jackson Hall 210
Portland, Oregon 97217
Telephone: 971-722-5666

College mailing address:
PO Box 19000
Portland, Oregon 97280-0990

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