Dr. Toyos is board certified in ophthalmology and one of the nation’s foremost cataract surgery and refractive specialists. He is Medical Director and Founder of Toyos Clinic, a leading eye care provider serving Tennessee and surrounding areas. In addition to his community involvement, Dr. Toyos is also the official eye care provider to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Memphis Redbirds, the Ballet Memphis, and is the author of several books. He founded the Sports Ophthalmic Society of the Americas to promote the art and science of sports ophthalmology by uniting team ophthalmologists, team optometrists, trainers, and other sports eye care providers.

The Memphis Business Journal recently named him among the city’s Top 40 Under 40 for his dedication to raising the quality of eye care locally, and participating in frequent mission trips to developing Latin and South American countries. Most recently, The Jazz Foundation of America honored Dr. Toyos with a humanitarian award for providing free medical and surgical care to victims of Hurricane Katrina, including several displaced jazz musicians.

JCAHPO is pleased to welcome Dr. Toyos to the 2009 ACE schedule for this must-see address by one of the nation’s most successful and promising young ophthalmologists.

"This is a historic milestone for the ophthalmic allied health profession," remarks JCAHPO President William F. Astle, MD, FRCS(C), Dipl. ABO.

Under the 2000 SOC listing, ophthalmic assisting was classified under Other Healthcare Support Occupations (Medical Assistants). Ophthalmic Medical Technicians are now classified under the major category of Health Technologists and Technicians, and the sub-group of Health Practitioner Support Technicians and Technologists. The former grouping excluded important tasks and responsibilities of Ophthalmic Medical Technicians that require more advanced, clinical, and overall medically detailed skills and knowledge than those of the general Medical Assistant. The new occupational listing encompasses all three core levels of JCAHPO certification.

The 2010 SOC system is used by federal statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, and disseminating data. For an occupation to be accepted for inclusion in the SOC, it requires a set of uniquely identifiable skills. The first set of skills is related to the complexity and range of tasks and duties, including knowledge and experience. These are defined by preparation levels and credentials, and considered necessary for new entrants to an occupation (skill level). The second set is related to both the type of work performed and the nature of the work activities.

Read this news release for more information on this historic announcement.

OMP play an important role in helping patients better understand contact lens fitting use and care procedures. This certificate of completion will demonstrate that OMP have gained more knowledge in contact lens fitting through completion of study composed of a diverse selection of top-quality, JCAHPO-approved educational resources.

The certificate of completion package is comprised of prerequisite study, a case study log for 12 patients, and a final multiple-choice examination.

Additional certificates coming in 2009.

As the leading provider of OMP education, JCAHPO has packaged this tool as a convenient way for eager, career-minded personnel to become familiar with the responsibilities of an ophthalmic assistant as well as become eligible to take the COA level examination. The package includes “The Ophthalmic Assistant”, 8th Ed. by Stein, Stein, and Freeman, one of the profession’s leading educational references. The JCAT independent study course includes over 175 quiz items that test comprehension, and a unique study plan that outlines the text's most important content and provides study hints for assistant level education.

Call (800) 284-3937 or click here for details or information on how to purchase JCAHPO’s New Ophthalmic Assistant Career Advancement Tool today!

While the application is now available at the reduced fee, personnel will be charged re-test fees at the following rates:

The practice test will remain available for an additional $85 for personnel wishing to become familiarized with the computerized format. Personnel who take and pass all components of the COT practice exam will be granted COT certification. A reminder that practice tests may only be taken before beginning the official Skill Evaluation testing.

Learning Systems integrates cutting-edge animation, simulation, and video to teach basic skills in six areas vital to many ophthalmology practices:

• Keratometry
• Lensometry
• Ocular Motility
• Retinoscopy/Refinement
• Tonometry
• Visual Fields

Discover what JCAHPO Learning Systems can do for your clinic by trying our FREE Online Demonstration! Learning Systems is available for purchase through the JCAHPO Bookstore (Order Form) or by calling (800) 284-3937.

For contact lens related training, the JCAHPO & CLAO Contact Lens Learning Systems is also available through the JCAHPO Bookstore.(Order Form)

JCAHPO courses are the benchmark for excellence in continuing education: increasing clinical skills, enhancing OMP professional development, and demonstrating commitment to quality patient care.

Through MyJCAHPOCE.org, OMP have access to a catalog of courses in 11 specialty areas. Each course includes an examination that ensures content comprehension and knowledge application. After registering, users receive a login name and a personalized CE page to view, and are able to purchase courses and track CE credits.

Visit www.myjcahpoce.org to register and seize the competitive edge for career success!