HUMAN RESOURCESExpanding education and certification opportunitiesfor paraoptometrics

National Paraoptometric Recognition Week (Septem-ber 14-20, see Box) is an appropriate time for op-tometrists to think about the importance of

paraoptometrics in the practice. As noted in this month’sPractice Strategies lead story (see ‘‘Creating patients forlife,’’ pages 525-527), the typical independent optometricpractice today must compete in the eye care and eyewearmarketplace with other independent eye care practices,

corporate optical chains, mass merchants, and online con-tact lens retailers. To compete successfully, independentpractices must consistently provide patients with highlycourteous and professional service. And that places in-creasing responsibilities on paraoptometrics. Paraoptomet-ric staff today must be able to perform a wide variety of‘‘customer service’’ functions from courteously helpingpatients schedule appointments to following up with pa-tients after an office visit. They must also demonstratethe level of eye care professionalism that patients expectin an eye care practice.

Retail chains often have extensive employee trainingprograms to ensure high-quality service. Telephone re-tailers often have calls recorded ‘‘for quality control andtraining purposes.’’ However, most independent optometricpractices generally do not have the resources available to

For additional information, contact the AOA-PS at (800) 365.2219, ext.

4222; fax: (314) 991-4101 or e-mail: JVMurphy@aoa.org. Opinions ex-

pressed are not necessarily those of the American Optometric Association.

The American Optometric AssociationParaoptometric Section is introducingnew educational products to help para-optometrics meet their growing respon-sibilities in the practice. The Commissionon Paraoptometric Certification is devel-oping a Web-based test administrationsystem to help make certification a realityfor more paraoptometrics across thecountry.

1529-1839/08/$ -see front matter � 2008 American Optometric Association.

doi:10.1016/j.optm.2008.07.004

provide such extensive employee training. How then, canan independent practice effectively ensure the level ofoffice staff performance necessary to attract and maintainpatients?

The American Optometric Association ParaoptometricSection (AOA-PS) and the Commission on ParaoptometricCertification (CPC) have developed complementary staffeducation and certification programs designed to ensurethat paraoptometrics have the skills needed to meet thedemands of today’s optometric practice. The AOA-PSrecently announced several new educational products tohelp paraoptometrics meet their growing responsibilities inthe practice. The CPC is developing a Web-based testadministration system to help make certification practicalfor more paraoptometrics across the country.

Box

Paraoptometric RecognitionWeekParaoptometric Recognition Week, observed annuallyduring the third week of September (September 14-20, 2008) by the AOA-PS, is perhaps the only formalobservance in the nation specifically intended tohonor optometric practice staff. Now in its sixthyear, Paraoptometric Recognition Week is designedto honor paraoptometrics for their dedication to thepatients they serve as well as to the profession ofoptometry. Moreover, the observance is designed toencourage paraoptometrics to think of themselves asprofessionals, take pride in their responsibilities, andpursue professional development.

The AOA-PS offers a free Paraoptometric Recog-nition Week kit that includes a poster, tabletop dis-play, buttons, balloons, ribbons, press release, andAOA Paraoptometric Section information sheets.

The AOA-PS encourages optometrists to providetheir staff with gift memberships in the section as away of celebrating Paraoptometric RecognitionWeek. In addition to being a nice way to say ‘‘thankyou’’ to staff members for their dedicated service tothe practice and its patients, the gesture can have de-monstrable practice management benefits.

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534 Practice Strategies

Computer-based certification examinationsBeginning in 2009, CPC certification examinations will beoffered via computer at several hundred sites across theUnited States, in addition to an annual paper administrationat Optometry’s Meeting�. The new computerized testadministration will allow more flexibility in scheduling aswell as less traveling for applicants because there will now bemore test sites from which to choose. The new administrationprocess will also provide a more controlled and consistenttesting experience for all candidates, according to the CPC.

The CPC certification program recognizes 3 levels ofproficiency for optometric office staff. Candidates for all 3levels of certification must meet work experience oreducation requirements. They also must pass a formalwritten examination to achieve certification. Certificationlevels recognized under the program are:

1. Certified paraoptometric (CPO)dan entry-level cer-tification designed specifically for those trained onthe job. Candidates must hold a high school diplomaor its equivalent and be able to verify a minimum of 6months’ experience or equivalent knowledge.

2. Certified paraoptometric assistant (CPOA)dde-signed primarily for those who have worked asCPOs for at least 6 months. However, graduates ofCPC-approved assistant programs (or even studentsin their last semester of study in such programs)can sit for the CPOA examination without meetingthe work requirement.

3. Certified paraoptometric technician (CPOT)dthe ad-vanced level of paraoptometric certificationdopen toparaoptometrics who have been employed for at least6 months as a CPOA, as well as to graduates (or finalsemester students) of Accreditation Council on Opto-metric Education accredited technician programs.Certification requires the candidate to pass both awritten examination and a practical examination.

The CPC will continue to offer paper-based examinationsat various locations around the nation through December31, 2008. However, beginning next year, the June admin-istration of the test at Optometry’s Meeting� will representthe only paper administration of the examination.

The new computer-based examinations will be offereddaily during four, 8-day testing periods. The first computer-based test administration will be held Saturday, February 7,2009, through Saturday, February 14, 2009. Computer-based testing will also be offered in May, August, andNovember 2009.

In addition to making paraoptometric certification exam-inations available at locations around the nation, the newcomputer test administration system will now allow opto-metric office staff to schedule certification examinationsonline (once eligibility has been established).

The certification program is sponsored by CIBA Vision.For additional information on the CPC certification pro-gram, see the AOA Web site paraoptometric page(www.aoa.org/x4859.xml) or contact dmleuschke@aoa.org.

Study guidedwith continuing educationcreditThe AOA-PS offers study materials for all 3 levels ofparaoptometric certification. A newly revised Third Editionof the AOA Paraoptometric Section’s Self-Study Course forParaoptometric Certification and self-assessment examina-tion are available. The Self-Study Course and self-assess-ment examination offer experienced paraoptometrics aconvenient and effective way to prepare for CPOA orCPOT certification and earn continuing education (CE)credits in the process. The self-assessment examinationincludes 350 multiple-choice questions on informationcovered in the Self-Study Course. The course and self-assessment examination may be completed in a timeframeconvenient to the applicant. After completion, paraoptomet-rics can mail the self-assessment examination to the AOA-PS office for grading. Those answering 249 questionscorrectly will receive 12 hours of CE credit and a certificateof achievement. (Once certified at any level, a paraoptomet-ric must obtain 18 hours of approved continuing CE creditto maintain their certification designation.)

For those seeking entry-level CPO certification, thesection offers its newly revised CPO study guide on CD-ROM to help paraoptometrics prepare for the CPO exam-ination.

New education modulesSoft Contact Lens Wear and Care and The ABCs of OpticalDispensing are the latest in a series of highly popular CD-ROM Education Modules developed by the AOA-PS.

Soft Contact Lens Wear and Care, developed under agrant from Bausch & Lomb, outlines the proper way toeducate patients on soft contact lenses, including:� Soft contact lens designs available� Proper application and removal techniques� Solution use� Care and compliance� Answers to frequently asked questions

The ABCs of Optical Dispensing, developed under a grantfrom Luxottica, is designed to give paraoptometrics a fun-damental understanding of:� Frame selection and adjustments� Spectacle lens materials and designs� Lens treatments� Lens measurements� Tips for presenting designer frames and prescription

sunglassesAdditional titles in the AOA-PS Education Module series

are:� Practice Management 101� Ophthalmic Dispensing� Anatomy and Physiology� Special Procedures

Voiceover instructions on each of the CD-ROM educationmodules provide an interesting format for learning. Slide

Practice Strategies 535

‘‘thumbnails’’ provide users the option to easily ‘‘start andstop’’ a module at any point and pick up where they left off.

The modules are $40 each for AOA-PS members and $55each for nonmembers. Successful completion of the testprovided at the end of the module (answering 16 of 25questions correctly) earns the paraoptometric 1 hour of CEcredit. A processing fee of $10 for AOA-PS members ($25for nonmembers) is assessed for grading the test.

The new soft contact lens education module is avail-able free to all new AOA-PS members, compliments ofBausch & Lomb, while supplies last.

Online educationThe AOA-PS plans to introduce a brand new OnlineContinuing Education training program for paraoptomet-rics, this fall, sponsored by Essilor of America and TheVision Care Institute,� LLC. Paraoptometric sectionmembers will be able to log onto a special Web page,read a module on various topics, and then take onlinetests on the information provided. The online educationis free as a benefit of AOA-PS membership for the first 6months of the program.

AOA-PS membershipIn addition to the planned, new online education program,AOA-PS membership includes 6 hours of CE available onlineeach year. With 18 hours of CE required every 3 years forCPC recertification, certified AOA-PS members will be ableto meet all of their CE requirements online and free of charge.Members will also receive subscriptions to the section’squarterly PS e-Newsletter and AOA publications (AOA News,Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association,AOA e-publications); reduced registration fees for Optom-etry’s Meeting� (with 40 or more hours of paraoptometriceducation courses as well as paraoptometric certificationcourses and examinations), discounts on AOA-PS materials(including study guides, and education modules), and accessto the section’s Continuing Education Finder for locating ed-ucation opportunities anywhere in the United States.

Many optometrists now provide AOA-PS membership asan employee benefit. AOA-PS membership dues are $60per year (or just about $1.15 per week, the section notes).With each new membership, staff will receive a free educa-tion module (a $45 value) on contact lenses, while supplieslast. To download a membership application, visitwww.aoa.org and click on the ‘‘Paraoptometrics’’ tab.