Certificate Program

Earn the Certificate in Optometric Administration

The Commission on Paraoptometric Certification (CPC) has launched its first in a series of specialized area of care assessment-based certificate programs.  The purpose of assessment-based certificate programs is to help fill the need for qualified personnel trained with a multi-disciplined set of competencies.  These certificates are non-degree granting programs that provide instruction and training to aid participants in acquiring knowledge, skills and competencies, and designate that participants have passed an end-of-program assessment.  In contrast to certification and licensure, an assessment-based certificate program is an educational or training program that is used to teach learning objectives and assess whether those objectives were achieved by the student.

"Certificate programs help fill the need for qualified personnel trained with a multi-disciplined set of competencies."

The Optometric Administrative Assessment-Based Certificate Program is a comprehensive program designed to help optometric staff develop a solid foundation in managing an optometric practice.  The program is intended to parallel the skills and knowledge required on the job. The program is designed for Practice Managers, Office Administrators, Front Office Personnel, and Support Staff.  The flexible program allows participants to work at their own pace as there no time constraints in which to complete the assessment.  As certificate programs are different from certification programs, candidates do not earn a credential but rather a certificate of completion.  Certificate programs do not have any on-going requirements such as certification renewal.

The material is organized around fundamental duties regarding the operation of an optometric practice.  The subject matter is divided into four self-contained units.  Each color-coded unit contains one or more sections, quizzes, and unit glossary.  Some units also include games and separate resource listings.  The sequence of the units and sections is not prescriptive and need not be read in any specific order.

The unit titles and descriptions are as follows:

Unit 1 - Financial Management and Professional Issues - Includes general financial office administration including developing and maintaining a budget, forecasting and revenue projecting, and financial control.  It also addresses professional relations, ethics, conduct, liability, and malpractice.

“It was really worth the money. It was a good reminder of things you forget or don’t do all the time. It would be great for new hires and I recommend that everyone view the program even if they don’t complete the assessment.”

Unit 2 - Assisting Foundation - Covers a multitude of first aid procedures, safety precautions, basic procedures in taking a patient history, and protective standards

Unit 3 - Practice Administration - Includes an introduction to insurance, coding and billing, keeping the patient flow functional, and general front office skills.  This unit also includes HIPAA regulations, and emphasizes organizational, time, and inventory management skills.

Unit 4 - Human Resources and Time Management - Highlights the essentials for basic human resource management.  This includes personnel responsibilities such as writing job descriptions and administrative procedures and manuals.

Multiple users in a practice will benefit as there are options to order complete sets or the assessment only.  For AOA Paraoptometric Section members, the complete program is $189 including the assessment.  For those Non-AOA Paraoptometric Section members, the complete program is $229 and for multiple practice users, the additional assessments are just $75.

For more information regarding program information and specific unit objectives, contact dmleuschke@aoa.org.

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Brochure - click to view the brochure