AOA Paraoptometric SectionAOA Paraoptometric Section

The The BridgeBridge

Between the AOA Between the AOA Paraoptometric SectionParaoptometric Section

and YOU!and YOU!

What is a Paraoptometric?What is a Paraoptometric?

The American Optometric Association’s definition The American Optometric Association’s definition of a paraoptometric is a person who works under of a paraoptometric is a person who works under the direct supervision of a licensed doctor of the direct supervision of a licensed doctor of optometry.optometry.

Paraoptometrics may: Paraoptometrics may:

Collect patient dataCollect patient data Administer routine, yet technical, tests of the Administer routine, yet technical, tests of the patients’ visual capabilitiespatients’ visual capabilities Assist in office managementAssist in office management

What is a Paraoptometric?What is a Paraoptometric?

Medical procedures such as irrigation and Medical procedures such as irrigation and photographyphotography Contact lensesContact lenses Low visionLow vision Vision therapyVision therapy Optical dispensingOptical dispensing Office managementOffice management Ocular trauma Ocular trauma

State laws may limit, restrict, or otherwise affect State laws may limit, restrict, or otherwise affect the duties that may be performed by the the duties that may be performed by the paraoptometric paraoptometric

A paraoptometric may assist the A paraoptometric may assist the optometrist in primary patient care optometrist in primary patient care examination and other services, including: examination and other services, including:

Who is a Paraoptometric?Who is a Paraoptometric?

Office ManagerOffice Manager Optometric AssistantOptometric Assistant OpticianOptician Allied Health Allied Health ProfessionalProfessional Business ManagerBusiness Manager Certified Certified ParaoptometricParaoptometric Certified AssistantCertified Assistant Optometric TechnicianOptometric Technician

ParaoptometricParaoptometric Certified Paraoptometric Certified Paraoptometric AssistantAssistant Billing and coding staffBilling and coding staff Contact lens techniciansContact lens technicians ReceptionistsReceptionists Pre-testing techniciansPre-testing technicians Certified ParaoptometricCertified Paraoptometric TechnicianTechnician

What are some of the titles used in What are some of the titles used in reference to paraoptometrics?reference to paraoptometrics?

What is the AOA What is the AOA Paraoptometric Section?Paraoptometric Section?

The nation’s largest organization serving The nation’s largest organization serving the needs of optometric assistants and the needs of optometric assistants and technicians. technicians. The The purpose purpose of the PS is to provide:of the PS is to provide: continuing education opportunitiescontinuing education opportunities service recognitionservice recognition professional development and promotionprofessional development and promotion opportunities for members to be involved opportunities for members to be involved with a national professional associationwith a national professional association

Paraoptometric SectionParaoptometric SectionMission StatementMission Statement

The American Optometric The American Optometric Association Paraoptometric Section Association Paraoptometric Section (PS) will seek to ensure that the (PS) will seek to ensure that the education and training for all education and training for all paraoptometrics is consistent with paraoptometrics is consistent with and reflects the growth of the and reflects the growth of the paraoptometric profession.paraoptometric profession.

History of the History of the Paraoptometric SectionParaoptometric Section

Committee on Optometric Committee on Optometric Assistants, Technicians and Assistants, Technicians and Technologists established within the Technologists established within the AOA Education and Manpower AOA Education and Manpower Division.Division. 1971- The AOA National Registry for 1971- The AOA National Registry for Paraoptometric Personnel (AOAR) Paraoptometric Personnel (AOAR) established to recognize assistants established to recognize assistants with higher levels of competency in with higher levels of competency in patient care and practice patient care and practice management. management.

History of the History of the Paraoptometric SectionParaoptometric Section

1974- the first paraoptometric 1974- the first paraoptometric education program was offered at education program was offered at the AOA Annual Congress in the AOA Annual Congress in Washington, DC.Washington, DC.

History of the History of the Paraoptometric SectionParaoptometric Section

1978- AOA 81st Annual Congress, 1978- AOA 81st Annual Congress, AOA House of Delegates approved AOA House of Delegates approved formation of the Paraoptometric formation of the Paraoptometric SectionSection

AOA Paraoptometric Section AOA Paraoptometric Section Bylaws approved;Bylaws approved;officers elected and installed. officers elected and installed.

History of the History of the Paraoptometric SectionParaoptometric Section

Recognition of paraoptometrics’ statusRecognition of paraoptometrics’ status

Promotion of quality educationPromotion of quality education

Involve paraoptometrics in the optometric Involve paraoptometrics in the optometric profession.profession.

Council members establish permanent Council members establish permanent goals:goals:

History of the History of the Paraoptometric SectionParaoptometric Section

Recognition AwardsRecognition Awards

The Paraoptometric of the YearThe Paraoptometric of the Year Community ServiceCommunity Service State Affiliate Membership State Affiliate Membership Recruitment Recruitment Special ServiceSpecial Service

History of the History of the Paraoptometric SectionParaoptometric Section

1980- National Paraoptometric Registry 1980- National Paraoptometric Registry (NPR) established (NPR) established

1981- Developed nationally 1981- Developed nationally administered exams and established a administered exams and established a career laddercareer ladder

CPC Certification CPC Certification DesignationsDesignations

CPOCPO CPOACPOA CPOTCPOT

2002- the National Paraoptometric Registry 2002- the National Paraoptometric Registry (NPR) became the Commission on (NPR) became the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification (CPC). Paraoptometric Certification (CPC).

History of the History of the Paraoptometric SectionParaoptometric Section

History of the History of the Paraoptometric SectionParaoptometric Section

Roles and responsibilities established Roles and responsibilities established defining two separate entities. defining two separate entities.

Paraoptometric Paraoptometric Section develops Section develops EDUCATION and EDUCATION and provides provides MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP services.services.

The CPC The CPC administers administers CERTIFICATION CERTIFICATION program and program and EXAMINATIONS.EXAMINATIONS.

Current Current Education MaterialsEducation Materials

3rd Edition of the 3rd Edition of the Self Study Self Study Course for Paraoptometric Course for Paraoptometric CertificationCertification published in 2007, published in 2007, revised in 2008.revised in 2008.

Paraoptometric Group2009 – The AOA merged the

Paraoptometric Section and the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification as a new AOA Paraoptometric Group.

EducationEducation

Other materials available assisting Other materials available assisting paraoptometrics in preparation for:paraoptometrics in preparation for:

Self Assessment Examination Self Assessment Examination CPO Study GuideCPO Study Guide Education ModulesEducation Modules

Certification examination Certification examination Staff training Staff training Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development

EducationEducation

Education ModulesEducation Modules Practice Management 101Practice Management 101 Special ProceduresSpecial Procedures Anatomy and PhysiologyAnatomy and Physiology Ophthalmic DispensingOphthalmic Dispensing Soft Contact Lens Wear and CareSoft Contact Lens Wear and Care ABCs of Optical DispensingABCs of Optical Dispensing

Membership BenefitsMembership Benefits

Continuing Education opportunities Continuing Education opportunities Discounts on PS education materialsDiscounts on PS education materials AOA and AOA PS publicationsAOA and AOA PS publications Discounts on registration for Optometry’s Discounts on registration for Optometry’s MeetingMeeting®® OPT-NOPT-N Online Paraoptometric Training - Online Paraoptometric Training - NavigatorNavigator Optometry’s Career CenterOptometry’s Career Center®® Speakers’ BureauSpeakers’ Bureau Special benefitsSpecial benefits

Continuing Education (CE) Continuing Education (CE) OpportunitiesOpportunities

6 hours of CE credit opportunities 6 hours of CE credit opportunities annuallyannually with membershipwith membership

Article Archive for additional CEArticle Archive for additional CE

Education Opportunities ListingEducation Opportunities Listing

DiscountsDiscounts

PS education materials PS education materials

Reduced registration fees at Reduced registration fees at Optometry’sOptometry’s Meeting®Meeting®

AOA PublicationsAOA Publications

You will become an Associate member You will become an Associate member of the AOA with your PS membership. of the AOA with your PS membership.

AOA publications:AOA publications: PS Quarterly NewsletterPS Quarterly Newsletter Optometry: Journal of the American Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric AssociationOptometric Association AOA News AOA News (hard copy, online and (hard copy, online and e-newsletter)e-newsletter)

Optometry’s Career CenterOptometry’s Career Center®®

FEATURES AVAILABLE TO REGISTERED JOB SEEKERS INCLUDE:FEATURES AVAILABLE TO REGISTERED JOB SEEKERS INCLUDE:

• Detailed opportunity listings Detailed opportunity listings • Advanced search features Advanced search features • Ability to post your resume Ability to post your resume

The OCC is an online, national The OCC is an online, national opportunity matching service for opportunity matching service for optometryoptometry. .

Service to connect providers of opportunities for Service to connect providers of opportunities for paraoptometrics with qualified paraoptometric paraoptometrics with qualified paraoptometric candidatescandidates Premier national career site for optometryPremier national career site for optometry More than 9,000 seekers and providers registeredMore than 9,000 seekers and providers registered

• Confidentiality Confidentiality options options • E-mail alertsE-mail alerts

Speakers’ BureauSpeakers’ Bureau

2007- Speakers’ Bureau established to 2007- Speakers’ Bureau established to assist regional and state meeting assist regional and state meeting organizers.organizers.

National database National database of speakers, topic categoriesof speakers, topic categories

OPT-N OPT-N Online Paraoptometric Training- Online Paraoptometric Training-

Navigator Navigator

OPT-N Program - basic training for the OPT-N Program - basic training for the beginning paraoptometric. Topics include:beginning paraoptometric. Topics include: Introduction to ParaoptometryIntroduction to Paraoptometry Basic TerminologyBasic Terminology Front Office ProceduresFront Office Procedures Obtaining an Ocular HistoryObtaining an Ocular History Routine Pre-testing ProceduresRoutine Pre-testing Procedures External ExaminationsExternal Examinations Ancillary Testing Ancillary Testing

Learn from the convenience of your home!

RefractometryRefractometry Visual FieldsVisual Fields SpectaclesSpectacles Assisting the OptometristAssisting the Optometrist Patients with Special NeedsPatients with Special Needs Instrumentation and Maintaining Instrumentation and Maintaining EquipmentEquipment Regulations and StandardsRegulations and Standards

Special BenefitsSpecial Benefits

Receive Receive special special discounts on discounts on various various servicesservices and programsand programs

     

Paraoptometric Recognition Paraoptometric Recognition WeekWeek

Observed the third week of Observed the third week of September September The only formal observance The only formal observance in the nationin the nation Honor paraoptometrics for Honor paraoptometrics for dedication to patients, dedication to patients, profession of optometryprofession of optometry Encourage professionalism, Encourage professionalism, pride and professional pride and professional developmentdevelopment

Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteer Opportunities

Have Time to Make a Difference?

Opportunities to serve Opportunities to serve the profession at a national level:the profession at a national level: PS Council MemberPS Council Member Awards and Membership CommitteeAwards and Membership Committee State Affiliate Relations CommitteeState Affiliate Relations Committee Online Continuing Education Online Continuing Education CommitteeCommittee Optometry’s Meeting® CE CommitteeOptometry’s Meeting® CE Committee Speakers Bureau CommitteeSpeakers Bureau Committee PS NewsletterPS Newsletter Optometry’s Meeting® AmbassadorOptometry’s Meeting® Ambassador

FACEBOOKFACEBOOK

Visit FACEBOOK Visit FACEBOOK wwwww.facebook.com Type “ American Optometric Type “ American Optometric

Association” in search box.Association” in search box.

Join the Paraoptometric Group for discussion, articles, pictures and networking opportunities.

Why Join the BEST?Why Join the BEST?

Belong to an organization that represents the BEST Belong to an organization that represents the BEST of theof the paraoptometric community.paraoptometric community. Be part of the BEST who contribute to the Be part of the BEST who contribute to the advancement ofadvancement of the profession of paraoptometry.the profession of paraoptometry. Gain knowledge and skills to BEST serve your Gain knowledge and skills to BEST serve your patients’ patients’ vision care needs.vision care needs.

Make the commitment to providing quality care; develop a sense of pride in your profession; and Join the BEST today!

Moving Toward the FutureMoving Toward the Future

2008- Paraoptometric Section 2008- Paraoptometric Section celebrated celebrated 30th anniversary30th anniversary Section celebrates a strong Section celebrates a strong foundation, foundation, innovative and responsive leadership innovative and responsive leadership andand the support and involvement of the support and involvement of countlesscountless members and volunteers. members and volunteers.

We look forward to continued achievement and progress with you!

Paraoptometric Section Paraoptometric Section Contact InformationContact Information

800-365-2219800-365-2219

Ext. 4108 Ext. 4222Ext. 4108 Ext. 4222

Paraoptometric Section Secretary Paraoptometric Section ManagerParaoptometric Section Secretary Paraoptometric Section Manager

CPC Contact Information CPC Contact Information

800-365-2219800-365-2219

Ext. 4210 Ext. 4135Ext. 4210 Ext. 4135 CPC Administrative Assistant CPC AdministratorCPC Administrative Assistant CPC Administrator

PS Contact InformationPS Contact Information

American Optometric AssociationAmerican Optometric Association243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Floor 1243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Floor 1St. Louis, Missouri 63141-7881St. Louis, Missouri 63141-7881

E-mail: E-mail: PS@aoa.orgWeb page: Web page: www.aoa.org

Phone: 800-365-2219 Phone: 800-365-2219 Fax: 314-991-4101Fax: 314-991-4101