The American Optometric Association (AOA) has begun preparing the industry for September’s Paraoptometric Appreciation Month, the only formal observance dedicated to honoring the practice staff that critically supports the delivery of optometric patient care.
With Americans’ increasing demand for primary eye health and vision care services provided by doctors of optometry, paraoptometric staff play a vital role in the efficient and effective delivery of quality patient care. The AOA is focused on equipping paraoptometric professionals with the education and resources necessary to build skillsets that can help practices meet this demand for care.
The AOA offers suggestions to reinforce the value paraoptometric staff bring to an optometric practice—this month and year-round.
ENROLL STAFF AS AOA ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Enrolling staff as AOA associate members is an easy, cost-free way for AOA member-doctors to grant optometric practice staff access to valuable paraoptometric programs and services, educational materials and discounts on event registration fees. Learn how enrolling staff as AOA associate members leads to practice success.
AOA associate membership gains staff access to:
- Commission on Paraoptometric Certification (CPC)- and AOA-approved continuing education (CE) and professional development, training and certification preparation materials in AOA EyeLearn.
- Member rates for AOA events, such as Optometry’s Meeting®.
- Volunteer and networking opportunities on a national level.
- All CPC, AOA publications and newsletters.
ENCOURAGE PARAOPTOMETRIC CERTIFICATION
As optometric scope of practice continues to allow doctors of optometry to practice at the top of their license—utilizing the fullest extent of their education and training to meet the increasing demands on the U.S. health care system—optometric staff shouldn’t be overlooked. Increased responsibilities, procedures and demands on doctors of optometry translate into a greater need for proven, skilled support on the part of paraoptometric staff.
Developed by a panel of AOA doctors and paraoptometrics, paraoptometric certification ensures practice staff stay up to date in contemporary CE and professional development. Each level of certification requires successful completion of an exam prepared and administered by the CPC, with the assistance of Professional Testing Corporation (PTC), to ensure mastery of the specific skillsets.
Practices can help ensure their staff have every opportunity for success—and it begins with the CPC Paraoptometric Examination Candidate Handbook. This regularly updated manual helps candidates better understand the processes and procedures to become certified, and how to retain certification through renewal. It’s not only required reading prior to applying for and taking certification examinations, but also the handbook is the go-to resource for staff seeking certification.
AOA study resources, created based on CPC exam outlines, are also available to build staff confidence in their exam prep–materials include the Paraoptometric Examination Study Resource Checklist and CPC 2024 Examination Schedule.
ENGAGE ON EyeLearn PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HUB
he AOA EyeLearn Professional Development Hub is a member-exclusive, centralized education resource with an ever-expanding catalog of CE and professional development courses, webinars and resources oriented to advance clinical proficiencies and practice management expertise.
Further, EyeLearn hosts and archives impactful webinar content, such as the Para Speaker Series, and part 1 of the paraoptometric surgical assisting micro-credential.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Additionally, the AOA is encouraging members and the industry at large to recognize staff contributions by sharing appreciation on social media using #AOAParaMonth2024. For more, follow along on Facebook and LinkedIn.
