Optician or paraoptometric training program

[Uncle Double]

We started an office cold 6 months ago. I have a good optician that is going to make a great office manager as we grow, but she has little formal training. She has worked at a couple of chains over the years and went through a fair amount of on the job training. I'm wondering what training and certification program most people prefer. We were thinking about going with the AOA para-optometric training...ideas?

(ps. we don't have a local optician program and this is not a licensed state)

[braheem24]

I would do whichever program you feel you would not be able to nurture inhouse, she would get the best of both worlds and you would have a more valuable asset.

[coffee joe]

it really depends on what you're going to be doing in your office. if you're doing exams get the cpo. if you're making or dispensing glasses, get the abo. if your going to fit and dispense contacts get the ncle. or if you're doing them all go for the gusto! that level of training will take some time. also, that can be allot to expect of one person. be sure you don't overwhelm her or inadvertently leave her feeling like she has to accomplish all of this. depending on how busy you get (very hopefully) she may run for the hills screaming.

but you know what; if you want to groom her to be the office manager, you need to start training her for insurance. there are classes you can take. having a competent person on top of that will make or break you, because the insurance cos. will do anything to not pay you, including taking back money that they already paid you. it's a game you have to play (unless you're the only game in town and can opt not to take insurance) and the rules are intentionally obfuscated. if you are able to develop a business plan that doesn't include insurance, i recommended it. many practices just tell their patients to send the receipt to the insurance co. and get reimbursed.

good luck on your new venture!

[Diane]

There are always the distance learning programs. You may check them out at www.nfos.org. Some require a visit or two to the school. DeKalb Technical College in Georgia and Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, FL both have programs. Check with Thomas Schulz at DeKalb schulzt@dekalbtech.edu or Bill Underwood at Hillsboroughschulzt@dekalbtech.edu .

Just my two cents.

Diane

[Optician1960]

Before getting involved with distance learning, make sure the student has the skills and the want to truly learn outside of the classroom. It can be a very rewarding way to learn, but it is not for everybody.

There is another school in the MidAtlantic that offers distance education that is very good like the others. That is J Sargeant Reynolds College and the program is Directed by Kristi Green.

Good luck

[mlm]

If you do decide to go with the AOA paraoptometric program, I highly recommend it. I did my CPOA in 2004 and my CPOT in 2008 (skipped CPO because I was already certified in Canada). As Optician1960 mentioned, be sure this person is suited to distance learning. While they give you a guideline for what will be on the test, it's up to the student to create their own study "curriculum" so she has to be motivated and organized.

Please let me know if you have any specific questions about the program.

[CNG]

A CPO sets a benchmark in your practice as clinical care. You may benefit from this when competing for contracts in a near future. In the past the only ones who impressed was your patients but in todays environment, you may have to impress the government in the coming of socialized medicine.

If you own an optical then an opticianry program is at hand. Keep in mind, nothing wrong for you to do the actual dispensing personally. Patients will be impressed and at the same time you would save salary money. If you are afraid about the perception of your professional image buy all the computerized toys to assist you in the dispensing. Remember how much profit you make from the clinical part and how much you make from the dispensing side. You can do both. Do not forget your roots.

CNG

[dcdwn]

Hi Uncle double,
Check out Anniston state they used to have a good optical program. If you want her to refract send her to UAB or to ROATx in Texas. Dothan used to have a good optical program before it closed, you might check some locl colleges in your areato see if they have any optical programs. I know Enterprise state had a class on optics.

Don Price ABO/NCLE

[Uncle Double]

Anyone take one of these ABO courses?
http://www.goldeneagletraining.com/

[HarryChiling]

Anyone take one of these ABO courses?
http://www.goldeneagletraining.com/

No, but why not download and use this:

http://www.laramyk.com/education/ope...udy-guide.html

It has questions to go along with it and if you want you can download the review book and print it for them and use the questions to test them periodically.

Oh, and it's FREE.

[Fezz]

No, but why not download and use this:

http://www.laramyk.com/education/ope...udy-guide.html

It has questions to go along with it and if you want you can download the review book and print it for them and use the questions to test them periodically.

Oh, and it's FREE.

Good call!

I heard that SOME of the authors are rather good looking and rather charming too!


{Keyword:Some}

;):cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

[HarryChiling]

{Keyword:Some}

You said it brother. :shiner: