Pre Heath Sciences

Ophthalmic & Optometric Assistant offers a gateway to many healthcare career pathways, providing the knowledge and competencies students need to thrive in advanced studies or specialized training programs. Because its curriculum overlaps with several programs in SAIT’s School of Health and Public Safety, the Pre-Health Sciences certificate can also help students meet admission requirements for those programs.

Students who are drawn to a career in healthcare but are not yet sure which path is right for them can explore their options through the Pre-Health Sciences certificate program. This program allows students to discover different healthcare professions while building a strong foundation of practical and academic skills.

Students in this program will:

• Develop the skills, attitudes, and professionalism expected of healthcare practitioners • Gain foundational knowledge in healthcare practice, including medical terminology, anatomy, and infection control • Build core competencies in communication, mathematics, and statistics • Explore a range of healthcare careers to identify areas of interest

Students also have the option to choose electives tailored to their interests—such as a Phlebotomy course that can help them find employment opportunities, even if they decide not to pursue further education right away Ophthalmic & Optometric Assistant College Certificate - Ophthalmic & Optometric Assistant equips students with the essential skills to support eye care professionals, including ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. Students in this program will:

• Learn the key medical and scientific principles of eye care • Obtain unique skill sets that prepare them for two professions—ophthalmology and optometry—within one program • Engage in a mix of classroom theory, hands-on lab practice, and a clinical practicum • Gain expertise in eye health and vision care terminology and procedure

Graduates are prepared for careers as assistants in diverse medical settings, including private eye care clinics, corporate eye care practices, and surgical eye centres.