JCAHPO Upgrades
From November 25, to December 14, 2009, JCAHPO will be upgrading its systems. We will not have the ability to process bookstore orders or online registration for meetings and webinars. Account users may experience limited access and may not update personal profiles. Any changes made to profiles will not be stored.
You may still register by printing regional programs or the Webinar form and submitting your registration by fax at (651) 731-0410 or
mail (2025 Woodlane Drive, St. Paul, MN 55125).
Click below for continuing education brochure links:
This system upgrade will significantly improve usability on your JCAHPO account and on the JCAHPO Web site. Thank you for your patience
during this process.
New COT Examination Content
Effective mid-to-late 2010, new content for the Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) multiple-choice examinations will be administered.
Examination content areas are updated regularly to reflect skills and knowledge that COTs need to effectively perform their duties.
The COT examination will include questions from each content area. Some topics may appear similar to those covered at other
certification levels, but the level of difficulty and type of knowledge tested at the COT level is different.
Click here to view the New COT examination content.
JCAHPO/ATPO Pocket Guide Launches for Eye
Care Professionals
In October, The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO), and the Association of Technical Personnel in
Ophthalmology (ATPO) proudly launched a new tool for ophthalmic professionals: the "JCAHPO/ATPO Pocket Guide: A Clinical Skills and Reference
Guide for the Ophthalmic Technician".
"By design, the Pocket Guide is a resource that technicians can keep in the office or on their person"
St. Paul, MN, November 11, 2009 -- Compact,
informative, and convenient are just a handful of words that describe the newest
resource for eye care professionals. In October, The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO), and the
Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (ATPO) proudly launched a new tool for ophthalmic professionals:
the "JCAHPO/ATPO Pocket
Guide: A Clinical Skills and Reference Guide for the Ophthalmic Technician".
In response to a need for quick reference information for ophthalmic professionals, JCAHPO and ATPO teamed to create an innovative
product. The result is the JCAHPO/ATPO Pocket Guide: an instructive, compact resource that includes 12 color-coded sections, simple tab
navigation, and practical content.
JCAHPO President William H. Ehlers, MD, observes that creating a training resource to reflect the needs of today’s eye care professionals
was vital.
“The health care industry is full of dense medical text books. While these resources are necessary in allied health education, we
envisioned a tool that technicians could use on a daily basis,” said JCAHPO President William H. Ehlers, MD. “By design, the Pocket Guide is
a resource that technicians can keep in the office or on their person, rather than referencing through large text books for answers.”
The Pocket Guide delivers relevant content seamlessly in a compact 8x4 size and 7 oz weight text. Content reflects practical, day-to-day
information that personnel commonly utilize, with a chapter list covering ophthalmic fundamentals:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Clinical Skills
- Coding
- Contact Lenses
- History Taking/Triage/Documentation
- Pharmacology
- Safety and Infection Control
- Special Tests and Procedures
- Surgical
- Terminology
- Optics
- Reference and Tools
It is also valuable as an instructional resource for newcomers. Entry-level personnel will discover explanations to complex models and
principles of eye physiology in minutes. Detailed illustrations, photographs, and diagrams make difficult concepts straightforward.
Terminology throughout the text is also clearly outlined, including a whole section devoted to terms and definitions.
“This resource is long overdue for eye care professionals,” says JCAHPO Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lynn D. Anderson, PhD. “Physicians,
administrators, and technicians are eagerly utilizing the Pocket Guide, and we are excited at the implications for ophthalmic allied health
personnel,” she added. “We foresee the Pocket Guide greatly assisting in training, confidence, and performance efficiency for OMP.”
The JCAHPO/ATPO Pocket Guide is available for purchase through the JCAHPO Bookstore.
Download Your Handouts
The 2009 ACE program handouts will be available until December 31. Please follow these instructions to download the handouts:
- Log into your account on the left hand side of the screen.
- Click here to be brought to the ACE 2009 registration page.
- Click the button titled "View Functions and Handouts", to access your handouts.
Visit Boston in April!
The JCAHPO Technicians and Nurses program is being held April 10-12, 2010 in conjunction with ASCRS, ASOA and World Cornea
Congress VI. Build your own educational experience by moving between the clinical and surgical tracks based on your interest and practice
background.
To view a preliminary list of topics, speakers and tracks, click here. The list will be finalized and updated in December.
Visit the ASCRS web site (www.ascrs.org) before the early-bird deadline of February 13th, 2010 to receive discount pricing and early
selection for housing.
Watch this space in early January, as ATPO will be offering COA, COT, and COMT Review Courses on Friday, April 9th. Registration
will be available directly on the JCAHPO website.
New Prometric Test Rescheduling/Cancellation Guidelines
After your application for a certification examination is approved, you will receive a confirmation notice. The confirmation
notice outlines how to schedule your examination at Prometric Test Centers, your eligibility period to take the examination, and other
important guidelines.
Effective January 1, 2010, it is important to note the following changes to the guidelines for rescheduling or cancelling an
examination appointment with Prometric:
| Cancellation/Reschedule Period |
Cancellation/Rescheduling Fee |
| 30 or more days before test date |
None |
| 5-29 days before the scheduled test date |
$25 (to be collected by Prometric from the candidate) |
| Less than 5 days before the test date |
No-show fee paid to JCAHPO* |
| Fail to appear for a scheduled test or arrive more than 15 minutes after the scheduled start time |
No-show fee paid to JCAHPO* |
*If your eligibility period is close to expiring, you may request a 30-day extension on your eligibility period from JCAHPO.
Please refer to the fee schedule for the current no-show fees and extension fee. If your eligibility period has expired, it will be
necessary to submit a new application with the full examination fee.
Requests for a refund of your examination fee need to be received in writing by JCAHPO more than five days before your
scheduled test date or before the end of your eligibility period if you do not have a scheduled test date. A processing fee will be
retained.
Please contact JCAHPO’s Certification Department if you have further questions.
Earn Credits Online – JCAHPO’s New Webinar Series
The latest way to take courses and earn continuing education credits online is through JCAHPO’s new Webinar (Web-based seminar) series.
Together with the Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (ATPO®), JCAHPO will co-host the online series monthly on
current topics in eye care. The next Webinar in the series titled, “Imaging for AMD - Pearls for the Technician”, will be presented by David A. Eichenbaum, MD,
on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. Central Time.
Following successful completion of a post-webinar quiz, registrants will be awarded 1 JCAHPO Group A credit.
Click here to register for the broadcast.
OMP Career: Vision of Opportunity
The ophthalmic assisting and technician profession remains a hotbed for employment opportunities. Click here to read this article highlighting certification pathways for OMP.
Eye Care Profession Receives U.S. Occupational Listing
JCAHPO announces that the ophthalmic allied health profession received official notification of approval for a separate occupational classification, Ophthalmic Medical Technician, from the United States Bureau of Labor's 2010 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Committee. JCAHPO calls the new occupational classification a landmark decision.
"This is a historic milestone for the ophthalmic allied health profession," remarks JCAHPO President William F. Astle, MD, FRCS(C), Dipl. ABO.
Under the 2000 SOC listing, ophthalmic assisting was classified under Other Healthcare Support Occupations (Medical Assistants). Ophthalmic Medical Technicians are now classified under the major category of Health Technologists and Technicians, and the sub-group of Health Practitioner Support Technicians and Technologists. The former grouping excluded important tasks and responsibilities of Ophthalmic Medical Technicians that require more advanced, clinical, and overall medically detailed skills and knowledge than those of the general Medical Assistant. The new occupational listing encompasses all three core levels of JCAHPO certification.
The 2010 SOC system is used by federal statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, and disseminating data. For an occupation to be accepted for inclusion in the SOC, it requires a set of uniquely identifiable skills. The first set of skills is related to the complexity and range of tasks and duties, including knowledge and experience. These are defined by preparation levels and credentials, and considered necessary for new entrants to an occupation (skill level). The second set is related to both the type of work performed and the nature of the work activities.
Read this news release for more information on this historic announcement.
Contact Lens Fitting Certificate of Completion
The latest resource available for OMP is the Contact Lens Fitting Certificate of Completion. JCAHPO has assembled this self-study package to give OMP an educational and training advantage in this key category of eye care.
OMP play an important role in helping patients better understand contact lens fitting use and care procedures. This certificate of completion will demonstrate that OMP have gained more knowledge in contact lens fitting through completion of study composed of a diverse selection of top-quality, JCAHPO-approved educational resources.
The certificate of completion package is comprised of prerequisite study, a case study log for 12 patients, and a final multiple-choice
examination.
Additional certificates coming in 2009.
Ophthalmic Assistant Career Advancement Tool
Introducing the latest learning resource for entry-level ophthalmic medical personnel (OMP): The JCAHPO Ophthalmic Assistant Career Advancement Tool (JCAT).
As the leading provider of OMP education, JCAHPO has packaged this tool as a convenient way for eager, career-minded personnel to become
familiar with the responsibilities of an ophthalmic assistant as well as become eligible to take the COA level examination. The package
includes “The Ophthalmic Assistant”, 8th Ed. by Stein, Stein, and Freeman, one of the profession’s leading educational references.
The JCAT independent study course includes over 175 quiz items that test comprehension, and a unique study plan that outlines the text's most
important content and provides study hints for assistant level education.
Call (800) 284-3937 or click here for details or information on how to purchase JCAHPO’s New Ophthalmic Assistant Career Advancement Tool today!
JCAHPO Learning Systems®: High-tech Training Tools for OMP Success
This interactive, six-module software is a resource that provides training and professional knowledge to OMP at all levels.
Learning Systems integrates cutting-edge animation, simulation, and video to teach basic skills in six areas vital to many ophthalmology practices:
- Keratometry
- Lensometry
- Ocular Motility
- Retinoscopy/Refinement
- Tonometry
- Visual Fields
Discover what JCAHPO Learning Systems can do for your clinic by trying our FREE Online Demonstration! Learning Systems is available for purchase through the JCAHPO Bookstore (Order Form) or by calling (800) 284-3937.
For contact lens related training, the JCAHPO & CLAO Contact Lens Learning Systems is also available through the JCAHPO Bookstore.(Order Form)
My JCAHPOCE: Online Credits Fast & Easy
Earning online continuing education credits is easier than ever! MyJCAHPOCE.org utilizes the latest online technology to provide CE training to ophthalmic allied health personnel.
JCAHPO courses are the benchmark for excellence in continuing education: increasing clinical skills, enhancing OMP professional development, and demonstrating commitment to quality patient care.
Through MyJCAHPOCE.org, OMP have access to a catalog of courses in 11 specialty areas. Each course includes an examination that ensures content comprehension and knowledge application. After registering, users receive a login name and a personalized CE page to view, and are able to purchase courses and track CE credits.
Visit www.myjcahpoce.org to register and seize the competitive edge for career success!