Becoming the doctor’s right hand

Kimberly Pickle, CPOA, began her paraoptometric career at the front desk of Southern Eye Care of Clinton in Mississippi in 2013. Five years—and a lot of learning—later, Pickle advanced to the role of office manager. 

Currently serving with the AOA as a member of both the CPC CE Review Committee and the Paraoptometric Resource Committee, Pickle is a former president of the Mississippi Paraoptometric Association. 

In June, Pickle was honored as the 2026 Paraoptometric of the Year at Optometry’s Meeting®. “Receiving this award has been a tremendous honor,” she says, “especially knowing that I was chosen and recognized by my peers and coworkers.” 

In celebration of Paraoptometric Appreciation Month, we asked Pickle to share her career journey and perspectives. Her responses, edited for length, are below. 

Describe your career path and the moments that shaped it. 

My career in eye care began in 2013 when I was looking for a job closer to home. At the time, I had no idea I was stepping into a career and passion I truly love. 

In 2015, I earned my CPO certification, and that was a turning point for me. It sparked my desire to learn more about eye care and helped me realize how rewarding this profession can be.  

Over the years, I made it a goal to learn every area of the office. I wanted to understand how each part of the practice worked together to provide the best care for our patients. In 2018, that hard work and dedication led to my promotion to office manager. 

How has receiving the award changed your career or perspective? 

It has given me a chance to reflect on my career and realize that even when you are quietly doing your job, helping others and giving your best without expecting recognition, people are watching and noticing the difference you make.

Receiving this award gives me a great sense of accomplishment, but it does not make me want to change what I am doing. It encourages me to continue growing. I strive every day to be a better version of myself than I was yesterday—to learn more, help others and make a positive difference. 

Can you share a patient interaction that has stayed with you throughout your career? 

One patient interaction that has always stayed with me was the first child I fitted with glasses. When she put them on for the first time, she looked outside and said, “Mommy, I can see the leaves on the trees.” That brought tears to my eyes. It showed me just how much of a difference we can make in someone’s life. 

Over the years, there have been so many patients who have impacted me. I have always believed that every patient becomes part of our extended family. But each is unique, and deserves to feel cared for, listened to and valued. 

What continuing education opportunities have had the biggest impact on your practice? 

One of the biggest was the AOA study booklet that could be purchased along with flash cards and a practice test. Having a physical book in front of me made a huge difference because I could highlight important information, make notes and go back to it. The new revised version of these resources for the current updated CPC exams can be found in AOA EyeLearn under the Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) Certification prep course. It includes the resource book, flash cards, practice assessment and more. 

I have also taken advantage of AOA webinars and educational articles, Vision Source Learning, Mississippi Optometric Association Summer and Fall Conferences and other optometry meetings and educational opportunities.

Continuing education has taught me that no matter how many years you have been in this profession, you should never stop learning. Eye care continues to change, and I believe it is important to continue growing along with it. 

How do you see the role of paraoptometrics evolving over the next five to 10 years? 

We need to do a better job of educating optometry students about the importance of paraoptometrics to their future practices and careers. A paraoptometric is the doctor’s right hand.  

I would also like to see us change the mindset from being job-oriented to career-oriented. Paraoptometry can be a career. There are opportunities for education, certification, advancement, leadership and professional involvement. 

We need to be going into high schools, participating in career days and talking to students not only about becoming an optometrist, but also about careers as paraoptometrics. Young people cannot choose a career they do not know exists. 

I would love to see paraoptometrics become more recognized and respected as a profession of its own. We need to educate future doctors, introduce young people to the profession, encourage certification and continuing education, and show people that this can be much more than a job. It can be a rewarding lifelong career. 

If you could leave one lasting message for the next generation of paraoptometrics, what would it be? 

Don’t give up. This career is worth it, but you have to be willing to put in the hard work. If someone gives you an opportunity to learn something new, take it. Learn the front desk, learn the clinical side, learn optical, learn billing—learn as much as you possibly can. The more you know, the more valuable you become, and the more opportunities you create for yourself. 

Take advantage of continuing education, certifications, mentors and opportunities to move forward. Paraoptometry can be just as interesting, challenging and rewarding as nursing or many other health care careers. You can continue growing throughout your entire career if you are willing to invest in yourself.