Careers in Eye Care with Mitzi Thomas

In this episode, Pierre Michiels interviews Mitzi Thomas. Mitzi Thomas is the Department Chair and Assistant Professor of the Ophthalmic Technician Program at College of DuPage. In the interview, they discuss the ophthalmic technician career path, the differences between eye care assistant and ophthalmic technician roles, the education and training required for the field, key skills such as communication, attention to detail, and critical thinking, and how hands-on clinical experiences help prepare students for successful careers in eye care. After listening to this episode, we hope you have a better understanding of the ophthalmic technician profession and the educational pathways available to enter this growing healthcare field. Full episode transcript can be found on the episode page. Below is a general timestamp summary.  00:00 - 02:24 | Guest Introduction and Career Journey  Host Pierre Michiels welcomes listeners and introduces Mitzi Thomas, Department Chair and Assistant Professor of the Ophthalmic Technician Program at College of DuPage. Mitzi shares her professional background, including her experience as an ophthalmic technician, work in hospital systems, and her role in launching the college's ophthalmic technician program. 02:24 - 08:25 | Understanding the Ophthalmic Technician Career Path  Mitzi explains the ophthalmic technician profession, including responsibilities such as diagnostic testing, patient care, imaging, and supporting ophthalmologists. She discusses the Eye Care Assistant Certificate and Ophthalmic Technician AAS pathways at COD, compares these options to becoming an ophthalmologist, and highlights how students can enter the field quickly while still exploring long-term healthcare careers. 08:25 - 11:53 | Essential Skills for Success in Eye Care  The conversation shifts to the skills needed for the profession. Mitzi emphasizes adaptability, communication, attention to detail, documentation accuracy, and critical thinking. She explains how technicians interact closely with patients and must think proactively when evaluating patient information and vision changes. 11:53 - 16:54 | Hands-On Learning and Program Preparation  Mitzi describes how students develop professional competencies through clinical placements, externships, laboratory experiences, simulations, and electronic health record training. She explains how the program blends classroom instruction with real-world application to build confidence and career readiness. 16:54 - 19:49 | Career Exploration and Program Resources  As the episode concludes, Mitzi encourages students to remain open-minded when exploring healthcare careers and to consider alternative pathways if initial plans change. She discusses advising sessions, open house opportunities, and resources available through the program for prospective students interested in learning more about eye care careers. 19:49 - 20:23 | Closing Remarks  Pierre thanks Mitzi for joining the podcast, shares information about submitting listener questions, and concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to continue exploring career pathways in healthcare and ophthalmic technology. Resources Discussed:  Contact: Mitzi Thomas [email protected] for program questions College of DuPage Ophthalmic Technician Program web page  College of DuPage Eye Care Assistant Program web page Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website. All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college, WIOA training programs, or other local support centers.Send us YOUR Listener Questions at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter