AOA Paraoptometric Section The Bridge Between the AOA Paraoptometric Section and YOU!

What is a Paraoptometric? The American Optometric Association’s definition of a paraoptometric is a person who works under the direct supervision of a licensed doctor of optometry. Paraoptometrics may: Collect patient data Collect patient data Administer routine, yet technical, tests of the patients’ visual capabilities Administer routine, yet technical, tests of the patients’ visual capabilities Assist in office management Assist in office management

What is a Paraoptometric? Medical procedures such as irrigation and photography Medical procedures such as irrigation and photography Contact lenses Contact lenses Low vision Low vision Vision therapy Vision therapy Optical dispensing Optical dispensing Office management Office management Ocular trauma Ocular trauma State laws may limit, restrict, or otherwise affect the duties that may be performed by the paraoptometric A paraoptometric may assist the optometrist in primary patient care examination and other services, including:

Who is a Paraoptometric? Office Manager Office Manager Optometric Assistant Optometric Assistant Optician Optician Allied Health Professional Allied Health Professional Business Manager Business Manager Certified Paraoptometric Certified Paraoptometric Certified Assistant Certified Assistant Optometric Technician Optometric Technician Paraoptometric Paraoptometric Certified Paraoptometric Assistant Certified Paraoptometric Assistant Billing and coding staff Billing and coding staff Contact lens technicians Contact lens technicians Receptionists Receptionists Pre-testing technicians Pre-testing technicians Certified Paraoptometric Certified Paraoptometric Technician Technician What are some of the titles used in reference to paraoptometrics?

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

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

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

History of the Paraoptometric Section the first paraoptometric education program was offered at the AOA Annual Congress in Washington, DC the first paraoptometric education program was offered at the AOA Annual Congress in Washington, DC.

History of the Paraoptometric Section AOA 81st Annual Congress, AOA House of Delegates approved formation of the Paraoptometric Section AOA 81st Annual Congress, AOA House of Delegates approved formation of the Paraoptometric Section AOA Paraoptometric Section AOA Paraoptometric Section Bylaws approved; officers elected and installed.

History of the Paraoptometric Section Recognition of paraoptometrics’ status Recognition of paraoptometrics’ status Promotion of quality education Promotion of quality education Involve paraoptometrics in the optometric profession. Involve paraoptometrics in the optometric profession. Council members establish permanent goals:

History of the Paraoptometric Section Recognition Awards The Paraoptometric of the Year The Paraoptometric of the Year Community Service Community Service State Affiliate Membership Recruitment State Affiliate Membership Recruitment Special Service Special Service

History of the Paraoptometric Section National Paraoptometric Registry (NPR) established National Paraoptometric Registry (NPR) established Developed nationally administered exams and established a career ladder Developed nationally administered exams and established a career ladder

CPC Certification Designations CPO CPO CPOA CPOA CPOT CPOT the National Paraoptometric Registry (NPR) became the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification (CPC). History of the Paraoptometric Section

Roles and responsibilities established Roles and responsibilities established defining two separate entities. defining two separate entities. Paraoptometric Section develops EDUCATION and provides MEMBERSHIP services. Paraoptometric Section develops EDUCATION and provides MEMBERSHIP services. The CPC administers The CPC administers CERTIFICATION CERTIFICATION program and program and EXAMINATIONS. EXAMINATIONS.

Current Education Materials 3rd Edition of the Self Study Course for Paraoptometric Certification published in 2007, revised in rd Edition of the Self Study Course for Paraoptometric Certification published in 2007, revised in 2008.

Paraoptometric Group 2009 – The AOA merged the Paraoptometric Section and the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification as a new AOA Paraoptometric Group.

Education Other materials available assisting paraoptometrics in preparation for: Self Assessment Examination Self Assessment Examination CPO Study Guide CPO Study Guide Education Modules Education Modules Certification examination Certification examination Staff training Staff training Professional Development Professional Development

Education Education Modules Practice Management 101 Practice Management 101 Special Procedures Special Procedures Anatomy and Physiology Anatomy and Physiology Ophthalmic Dispensing Ophthalmic Dispensing Soft Contact Lens Wear and Care Soft Contact Lens Wear and Care ABCs of Optical Dispensing ABCs of Optical Dispensing

Membership Benefits Continuing Education opportunities Continuing Education opportunities Discounts on PS education materials Discounts on PS education materials AOA and AOA PS publications AOA and AOA PS publications Discounts on registration for Optometry’s Meeting® Discounts on registration for Optometry’s Meeting® OPT-N Online Paraoptometric Training - Navigator OPT-N Online Paraoptometric Training - Navigator Optometry’s Career Center® Optometry’s Career Center® Speakers’ Bureau Speakers’ Bureau Special benefits Special benefits

Continuing Education (CE) Opportunities 6 hours of CE credit opportunities annually 6 hours of CE credit opportunities annually with membership with membership Article Archive for additional CE Article Archive for additional CE Education Opportunities Listing Education Opportunities Listing

Discounts PS education materials PS education materials Reduced registration fees at Optometry’s Reduced registration fees at Optometry’s Meeting® Meeting®

AOA Publications You will become an Associate member of the AOA with your PS membership. AOA publications: PS Quarterly Newsletter PS Quarterly Newsletter Optometry: Journal of the American Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association Optometric Association AOA News (hard copy, online and AOA News (hard copy, online and e-newsletter) e-newsletter)

Optometry’s Career Center® 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 opportunity matching service for optometry. Service to connect providers of opportunities for Service to connect providers of opportunities for paraoptometrics with qualified paraoptometric candidates paraoptometrics with qualified paraoptometric candidates Premier national career site for optometry Premier national career site for optometry More than 9,000 seekers and providers registered More than 9,000 seekers and providers registered Confidentiality options Confidentiality options alerts alerts

Speakers’ Bureau Speakers’ Bureau established to Speakers’ Bureau established to assist regional and state meeting organizers. assist regional and state meeting organizers. National database National database of speakers, topic categories of speakers, topic categories

OPT-N Online Paraoptometric Training- Navigator OPT-N Program - basic training for the beginning paraoptometric. Topics include: Introduction to Paraoptometry Introduction to Paraoptometry Basic Terminology Basic Terminology Front Office Procedures Front Office Procedures Obtaining an Ocular History Obtaining an Ocular History Routine Pre-testing Procedures Routine Pre-testing Procedures External Examinations External Examinations Ancillary Testing Ancillary Testing Learn from the convenience of your home! Refractometry Refractometry Visual Fields Visual Fields Spectacles Spectacles Assisting the Optometrist Assisting the Optometrist Patients with Special Needs Patients with Special Needs Instrumentation and Maintaining Equipment Instrumentation and Maintaining Equipment Regulations and Standards Regulations and Standards

Special Benefits Receive special Receive special discounts on discounts on various services various services and programs and programs

Paraoptometric Recognition Week Observed the third week of September Observed the third week of September The only formal observance in the nation The only formal observance in the nation Honor paraoptometrics for dedication to patients, profession of optometry Honor paraoptometrics for dedication to patients, profession of optometry Encourage professionalism, pride and professional development Encourage professionalism, pride and professional development

Volunteer Opportunities Have Time to Make a Difference? Opportunities to serve the profession at a national level: PS Council Member PS Council Member Awards and Membership Committee Awards and Membership Committee State Affiliate Relations Committee State Affiliate Relations Committee Online Continuing Education Committee Online Continuing Education Committee Optometry’s Meeting® CE Committee Optometry’s Meeting® CE Committee Speakers Bureau Committee Speakers Bureau Committee PS Newsletter PS Newsletter Optometry’s Meeting® Ambassador Optometry’s Meeting® Ambassador

FACEBOOK Visit FACEBOOK Visit FACEBOOK Type “ American Optometric Association” in search box. Type “ American Optometric 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 of the Belong to an organization that represents the BEST of the paraoptometric community. paraoptometric community. Be part of the BEST who contribute to the advancement of Be part of the BEST who contribute to the advancement of the profession of paraoptometry. the profession of paraoptometry. Gain knowledge and skills to BEST serve your patients’ Gain knowledge and skills to BEST serve your 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 Future Paraoptometric Section celebrated Paraoptometric Section celebrated 30th anniversary 30th anniversary Section celebrates a strong foundation, Section celebrates a strong foundation, innovative and responsive leadership and innovative and responsive leadership and the support and involvement of countless the support and involvement of countless members and volunteers. members and volunteers. We look forward to continued achievement and progress with you!

Paraoptometric Section Contact Information Ext Ext Ext Ext Paraoptometric Section Secretary Paraoptometric Section Manager Paraoptometric Section Secretary Paraoptometric Section Manager

CPC Contact Information Ext Ext Ext Ext CPC Administrative Assistant CPC Administrator CPC Administrative Assistant CPC Administrator

PS Contact Information American Optometric Association 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Floor 1 St. Louis, Missouri Web page: Phone: Fax: