Testing for certification? Paraoptometric exam handbook, PRC resources necessities

Paraoptometric certification is an asset that promotes a skilled, cohesive care team to build a practice around for years to come, and equipping staff with the right resources ensures that investment flourishes.

Increasingly, Americans’ demand for primary eye health care services delivered by optometry, as well as the rising tide of optometric scope of practice advances nationwide, mean optometry practices will need competent paraoptometric staff who can demonstrate a certain high level of clinical capabilities and practice management knowledge to truly set themselves apart. Such is the case, paraoptometric certification is the way to ensure optometry practices get ahead.

Developed by a panel of AOA doctors and paraoptometrics, paraoptometric certification ensures practice staff stay up to date in contemporary continuing education (CE) and professional development. Each level of certification requires successful completion of an exam prepared and administered by the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification (CPC), with the assistance of Professional Testing Corporation (PTC), to ensure mastery of the specific skillsets.

“For a paraoptometric, certification provides recognition, expands professional growth and acknowledges the degree of knowledge and dedication to the profession,” says Linda Rodriguez, CPO, AOA Paraoptometric Resource Center (PRC) chair.

Take advantage of paraoptometric certification education resources

Practices also can help ensure their staff have every opportunity for success—and it begins with the CPC Paraoptometric Examination Candidate Handbook. This newly 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.

In addition to the CPC Paraoptometric Examination Candidate Handbook, the AOA PRC offers numerous other educational resources to prepare test-takers as the CPC and PTC have developed new paraoptometric examinations for 2021. Outlines covering the new test content are based on a recent Job Task Analysis survey and are available in the handbook and EyeLearn: Professional Development Hub.

Here’s how you can prepare your AOA associate-member staff for each level of certification:

Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) 

• Access the Certified Paraoptometric Review Course (CPO) in EyeLearn, as well as the CPO study guide and outline.
• Access the Basic Anatomy and Conditions of the Eye webinar on EyeLearn.
• Paraoptometric Skill Builder®: Beginner PDF with quiz available in EyeLearn under Paraoptometric Skill Builder®—All Three Levels—narrated webinar version coming soon!

Certified Paraoptometric Assistant (CPOA) 

• Access the Certified Paraoptometric Assistant Review Course (CPOA), parts 1 and 2, in EyeLearn.
• Access the CPOA & CPOT Study Bundle, available only in AOA Marketplace.
• Paraoptometric Skill Builder®: Intermediate PDF with quiz available in EyeLearn under Paraoptometric Skill Builder®—All Three Levels—narrated webinar version coming soon!

Certified Paraoptometric Technician (CPOT) 

• Stay tuned: the Certified Paraoptometric Technician Review Course (CPOT) coming to EyeLearn this August.
• Access the CPOA & CPOT Study Bundle, available only in AOA Marketplace.
• Paraoptometric Skill Builder®: Advanced PDF with quiz available in EyeLearn under Paraoptometric Skill Builder®—All Three Levels—narrated webinar version coming soon!

Certified Paraoptometric Coder (CPOC) 

• Access the CPO, CPOA and CPOT Review courses available in EyeLearn, as well as the CPO study guide.
• Access the Self-Study Course for Paraoptometric Assistants and Technicians, as well as the Insurance Processing Flash Cards, available in AOA Marketplace.
• NOTE: The CPOC examination is open-book and test-takers are permitted to have the CPT Standard or Professional Edition, Codes for Optometry and ICD-10 current edition, available in AOA Marketplace.

Additional study resources for the 2021 paraoptometric certification examinations are available for both members and nonmembers.