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Thread: Just took the Paraoptometric Assistant exam

  1. #1
    OptiBoard Professional William Walker's Avatar
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    Just took the Paraoptometric Assistant exam

    It was a piece of cake. I was the only one to take it in Jacksonville, so I had a nice room and proctor to myself. The 225 question exam took me all of about 50 minutes. Looks like I'll get to add another letter behind my name soon!

    William
    William Walker

    Associates in Science in Opticianry
    Associates in Science in Optical Business Management
    Licensed Dispensing Optician
    Board Certified
    Certified Paraoptometric Assistant
    American Board of Opticianry Advanced Certified
    National Contact Lens Examiners Certified

    Next Goal: ABOM

    Optician with Lenscrafters in Jacksonville, FL

  2. #2
    Paper Shuffler GOS_Queen's Avatar
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    Congrats :cheers:

    Would you mind explaining how it's different from the ABO?

  3. #3
    OptiBoard Professional William Walker's Avatar
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    The ABO is an exam based on knowledge of spectacles. The Paraoptometric exam is designed around what they expect a paraoptometric to see. It covers a broad array of topics (although not very deep, due to the amount of topics they cover). There are questions about glasses, contact lenses, phone triage, medical conditions of the eye (the majority of the exam). If/when I get to open my own optical, if I hire someone not licensed, I might make passing that test worth an extra spiff, just to se that employees would train themselves in different areas of the office.
    William Walker

    Associates in Science in Opticianry
    Associates in Science in Optical Business Management
    Licensed Dispensing Optician
    Board Certified
    Certified Paraoptometric Assistant
    American Board of Opticianry Advanced Certified
    National Contact Lens Examiners Certified

    Next Goal: ABOM

    Optician with Lenscrafters in Jacksonville, FL

  4. #4
    On the Sunset Tour! Framebender's Avatar
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    Blue Jumper Congratulations Mr Walker. . .

    on a job well done!!

  5. #5
    Bad address email on file sharonm516's Avatar
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    The CPO is easy....mainly how to run the front desk with a little anatomy.

    The CPOA is a bit harder....
    I will be taking my CPOT this fall...which is written and practical.

    Congrats to you!!!
    Sharon Mafort, CPOA

  6. #6
    Master OptiBoarder ziggy's Avatar
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    CONGRATS WILLIAM! Just how many letters are now after your name?

    Paul R. King ABOC,NCLEC LDO(OH,KY),FNAO,OOA,OAO,CLSA:p half of mine just cost money, no test needed!!
    Last edited by ziggy; 03-31-2006 at 02:22 PM. Reason: chance to be a smartie pants
    Paul:cheers:

  7. #7
    Bad address email on file sharonm516's Avatar
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    You are going to need the following:
    1) an extra big signature stamp

    2) heavy duty matieral for your lab coat to hold up that long name badge

    3) extra pen refills...you are going to run out of ink quick!

    Congrats again! :bbg:

  8. #8
    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
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    Thumbs up Certified Paraoptometric

    Associates in Applied Science in Opticianry
    Licensed Dispsensing Optician
    Certified Paraoptometric
    American Board of Opticianry Advanced Certified
    National Contact Lens Examiners Certified
    Congratulations for the latest title.

    It is refreshing to learn that there are still people in our field that have the drive to learn and those will also professionally advance in the optical business and never stand still.

    :)

  9. #9
    OptiBoard Professional William Walker's Avatar
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    Thanks for all the kind (and even funny) words.


    Sharon, you'll have to keep me posted (get it, POSTed, whew!) on how easy or difficult it is. I'd like to take it, but I'll have to wait at least 6 months before I'm eligible.

    Does anyone have an idea on how much harder the JCAHPO certs are in comparison to the Paraoptometrics?

    Take care all,
    William
    William Walker

    Associates in Science in Opticianry
    Associates in Science in Optical Business Management
    Licensed Dispensing Optician
    Board Certified
    Certified Paraoptometric Assistant
    American Board of Opticianry Advanced Certified
    National Contact Lens Examiners Certified

    Next Goal: ABOM

    Optician with Lenscrafters in Jacksonville, FL

  10. #10
    Master OptiBoarder Snitgirl's Avatar
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    Congrats William !!! :cheers:

    You're a great role model. I want to be like you when I grow up :D

    Michelle :D

  11. #11
    OptiBoard Professional William Walker's Avatar
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    Results are in. I made a 197 out of 225. Nor bad for not studying one bit! Passing is a 152 or better. Now that the CPOA cert. is on the way, now I can look forward to scheduling the CPOT!
    William Walker

    Associates in Science in Opticianry
    Associates in Science in Optical Business Management
    Licensed Dispensing Optician
    Board Certified
    Certified Paraoptometric Assistant
    American Board of Opticianry Advanced Certified
    National Contact Lens Examiners Certified

    Next Goal: ABOM

    Optician with Lenscrafters in Jacksonville, FL

  12. #12
    Bad address email on file sharonm516's Avatar
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    CONGRATS!!!!!!!!! Mr. CPOA! ;)

    Dont you have the study guides for the CPOT? I can email them to you if you want me to..the written and practical guides.
    The next test is in June in Vegas at the big conference, but I cant afford that...Im getting married in July.
    The only irritating thing about the CPOT is that they only offer the practical 3 times a year and you cant get the actual title until you pass both. Just drives me nutty!!!! LOL :hammer:
    Great to know that I have a study buddy for the CPOT.....
    Take care!
    Sharon M, CPOA

  13. #13
    OptiBoard Professional William Walker's Avatar
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    Well, congrats right back at you for the upcoming marriage! That's making the pool of optically minded women smaller and smaller!

    No, I don't have any study info for the CPOT, so if you'd like to email it to me, my email address is qurtrn10@hotmail.com.

    I have to wait the 6 month period before I can sit for the CPOT, so if we take it at the same time, we'll have to try to take it in the same place!

    Talk to you later,
    William
    William Walker

    Associates in Science in Opticianry
    Associates in Science in Optical Business Management
    Licensed Dispensing Optician
    Board Certified
    Certified Paraoptometric Assistant
    American Board of Opticianry Advanced Certified
    National Contact Lens Examiners Certified

    Next Goal: ABOM

    Optician with Lenscrafters in Jacksonville, FL

  14. #14
    Bad address email on file sharonm516's Avatar
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    Awwww thanks for the congrats!!!

    I will most likely take the CPOT written in Denver (where I will be living...the Army is sending us to Ft Carson in August) and the practical where ever I can get it! LOL I emailed the para section of the AOA and complained a little about not offering the practical enough and encouraged them to either make more dates available or to consider contracting with someone that will be able to give the exam more often. I also told them they need to update their book and make the pictures at least from the year 2000. I suggested that they include information on refractive surgery since many optometrists are teaming with surgery centers.

    I will definately email you the study stuff for the CPOT! Use the same book as the CPOA, so need to buy another "blue book" as I call it. Look for it in a few minutes....as soon as I get done screening this next patient!
    Sharon

  15. #15
    Bad address email on file sharonm516's Avatar
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    *DING* You have mail!!!:cheers:

  16. #16
    OptiBoard Professional William Walker's Avatar
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    Thanks, it looks like I might actually have to study a little bit for this one!
    William Walker

    Associates in Science in Opticianry
    Associates in Science in Optical Business Management
    Licensed Dispensing Optician
    Board Certified
    Certified Paraoptometric Assistant
    American Board of Opticianry Advanced Certified
    National Contact Lens Examiners Certified

    Next Goal: ABOM

    Optician with Lenscrafters in Jacksonville, FL

  17. #17
    Bad address email on file sharonm516's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by William Walker
    Thanks, it looks like I might actually have to study a little bit for this one!
    Im with ya on that!!! But if you can pass the NCLE (which Im studying for also) then I think this would be a piece of cake!!!!
    Is the NCLE REALLY all those formulas??? MY docs looked at the book and laughed...they remembered learning them in optometry school, but never use them.

  18. #18
    OptiBoard Professional William Walker's Avatar
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    Yeah, unfortunately at least when I took the NCLE, you needed to know everything.
    William Walker

    Associates in Science in Opticianry
    Associates in Science in Optical Business Management
    Licensed Dispensing Optician
    Board Certified
    Certified Paraoptometric Assistant
    American Board of Opticianry Advanced Certified
    National Contact Lens Examiners Certified

    Next Goal: ABOM

    Optician with Lenscrafters in Jacksonville, FL

  19. #19
    Bad address email on file sharonm516's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by William Walker
    Yeah, unfortunately at least when I took the NCLE, you needed to know everything.
    YIKES!!! Any tips, tricks, ideas....:o :o

  20. #20
    OptiBoard Professional William Walker's Avatar
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    The only tip I can give is study, study, study.

    I'm sure you'll do fine.
    William Walker

    Associates in Science in Opticianry
    Associates in Science in Optical Business Management
    Licensed Dispensing Optician
    Board Certified
    Certified Paraoptometric Assistant
    American Board of Opticianry Advanced Certified
    National Contact Lens Examiners Certified

    Next Goal: ABOM

    Optician with Lenscrafters in Jacksonville, FL

  21. #21
    OptiBoardaholic
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    Additional certification

    Congrats on your latest addition to the ALPHABET SOUP after your name you can also add the Ophthalmology assistant lettes too.

    I had fun the other night doing a refraction on one of the other students in the Ophthalmic assistants course run by Palomar College ROP and Shiley Eye Center. I already demonstrated proficiencywith the slit lamp....thanks ProfBob Russo NYCTC , applanation tonometry, corneal topography. Still need to demonstrate K readings and ustasound A scan and B scan Im doing this just tpo say thatI can do it
    Ed

    MSEd, BBA, AAS Ophthalmic Dispensing
    ABOC NCLC FNAO FOAA

  22. #22
    OptiBoard Novice Lesley Howell's Avatar
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    Can you email the study material to me ?? THANKS
    lesleyj1320@gmail.com

  23. #23
    OptiBoard Novice Hannah Bond's Avatar
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    Any tips on what to study for the CPO examination. There's really no way to narrow it down with the material I have. Any tips would help. Thanks!

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by William Walker View Post
    It was a piece of cake. I was the only one to take it in Jacksonville, so I had a nice room and proctor to myself. The 225 question exam took me all of about 50 minutes. Looks like I'll get to add another letter behind my name soon!

    William
    Hi there, I’m very new the field. I’ve been in it a little over a year. I’m smart I learn fast, I’m taking my CPO in two weeks and I’m scared to death. I’ve been studying so much. Is there any thing I should know, and insight I mean. What is the test mainly based on? Is there something I should be focusing on more then not.
    Ive already learned so much, just very nervous
    thank you
    woodstock72

  25. #25
    OptiBoard Novice
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    Any tips on the CPO test!??

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