Certified Paraoptometric Technician

[Sue Hey]

I am taking the CPOT this November, and I'm looking to buy or rent the Paraoptometric Skill Builder DVD's #2 & #3.
Please email me if you are interested at suehey83@gmail.com

[plculver]

Wait...you can be certified in this?

[Kimberly Santos]

I know that I am not any help to you, but i am fixing to take my CPO test in November and I was wondering if you knew what I should study or what to expect..also its in Texas if that makes a difference. I'm not familiar with a lot here yet. I just joined today.

[Sue Hey]

Yes...I have received my CPO, CPOC, and CPOA.
and I wanted to get the skill builder dvds....but didn't want to put out a lot of money for new ones

[Sue Hey]

The CPO was pretty easy....I just used the CPO study guide on the AOA site

[Chris Ryser]

Check it out at:

https://www.aoa.org/Documents/optometric-staff/Product-Directory.pdf

and take it from there

[Kimberly Santos]

Thanks!!

[cturtle77]

We had the CPO study guide in our office but I also used Quizlet. You just search certified paraoptometric on their website. I found it very helpful because you study using different methods (multiple choice, matching, etc). You can even download the Quizlet app to your iPhone/Pad. P.S. it's free :)

[Kimberly Santos]

Thanks! I appreciate it. Any info helps me.

[obxeyeguy]

Old optician here. Can someone please tell me what all this alphabet soup means? CPO, CPOC, CPOA, CPOT? Glorified titles for the same thing?

[Chris Ryser]

Certified Professional Old ...........................

Old optician here. Can someone please tell me what all this alphabet soup means? CPO, CPOC, CPOA, CPOT? Glorified titles for the same thing?

CPO ==========> Certified Professional Old

I am one of those too.

[Diane]

There are three levels of certification for Paraoptometrics. CPO is entry level Certified Paraoptometrics. CPOA is intermediate Certified Paraoptometrics Assistant. CPOT is advanced Certified Paraoptometrics Technician. A few years back, a specialty certification designation was added, CPOC, which is for Paraoptometric Coding Certification. CPOC technicians have demonstrated proficiency in Optometric Coding testing. Each of these certifications are National examinations through the American Optometric Association for technicians in Optometry.

Diane

[Erika05]

HI, does anyone know of any sites that I could take a practice test for CPOA? I was only able to afford the CPOA/CPOT self study book. I would really appreciate it, if anyone could give me some info on some practice test. :)

Thank You!!

[Uilleann]

...Each of these certifications are National examinations through the American Optometric Association for technicians in Optometry.

Which is incredibly ironic given that almost no optometrists actually employ paraoptometrics. ABO's are much more common. COA-COT usually end up tech-ing for ophthalmology, and are likely one of the big reasons MD office refractions often vary so wildly. The techs do 70-90% of the workflow, and the doc will breeze in, spend 3-7 minutes with a patient, sign off on everything, and move on to the next one.

[Diane]

Which is incredibly ironic given that almost no optometrists actually employ paraoptometrics. ABO's are much more common. COA-COT usually end up tech-ing for ophthalmology, and are likely one of the big reasons MD office refractions often vary so wildly. The techs do 70-90% of the workflow, and the doc will breeze in, spend 3-7 minutes with a patient, sign off on everything, and move on to the next one.

There is a difference between CPOA and CPOT from the Paraoptometrics/Optometrosts and COA and COT from JCAHPO from the Ophthalmologist.

Diane