NEC
L14A
Opthalmic Surgical Technician
A Navy Enlisted Classification: a skill designation sailors hold in addition to their rating.
Description
Performs preoperative preparation of the ocular patient. Assists, scrubs, or circulates in the operating room as directed by the ophthalmic surgeon. Identifies, selects and maintains delicate surgical instruments. Sterilizes and sets up instruments for ophthalmic surgical procedures. Assists ophthalmologists in the treatment and care of patients with ocular diseases/disorders and performs a variety of diagnostic tests using specialized equipment.
Core Skills
- ophthalmic patient preparation
- operating room scrub technique
- operating room circulation
- ophthalmic instrument identification
- instrument sterilization
- surgical field maintenance
- ophthalmic diagnostic testing
- surgical supply management
- aseptic technique
- patient postoperative support
Common Certifications
- Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
- Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA)
- Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT)
- Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
- Certified Healthcare Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CHL)
Civilian Career Paths
- SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY
- CLINICAL TECHNICIAN
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
- Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA)
- Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
- Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
Career Growth
- Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT)
- Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA)
- Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT)
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Data sourced from official Navy publications and public military occupational references. Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.