Printable Version

New Products & Services | ACE 2009: The Gateway to Golden Opportunities | Earn JCAHPO Credits At ASCRS | ACE 2008 Highlights | 2009 Regional CE Programs | Eye Care Awareness | Foundation News | Certified Personnel | Distance Learning | CE Provider Listings |

New Products & Services

Innovation is a theme for 2009 with the introduction of new products and services in the coming months. Take advantage of these latest educational resources for OMP to get certified and stay certified!

JCATSM: Ophthalmic Assistant Career Advancement Tool

This latest learning resource introduces entry-level ophthalmic medical personnel (OMP) to the exciting world of eye care. The JCAHPO Career Advancement Tool (JCAT) utilizes “The Ophthalmic Assistant”, 8th Ed. by Stein, Stein, and Freeman, 175-question knowledge assessment examination, and a study plan that highlights the text’s most important content. This is the most in-depth pathway choice for becoming an ophthalmic assistant available through the profession’s leading continuing education (CE) and certification provider. Call (800) 284-3937 for more information on the JCAT and jump-start your career today!

New & Updated Refinements Available

Beginning in January 2009, seven (7) updated Refinements will be available for purchase. This popular series of learning modules introduces OMP to a range of relevant subjects in ophthalmology. Authored by some of the profession’s leading authorities, Refinements give personnel an informative and practical distance learning experience.

Each module focuses on a specific eye-related subject and builds knowledge and comprehension using relevant language, tables, and photographs. After studying, personnel complete the enclosed quiz and may submit it for 1 JCAHPO Group A credit. Personnel have been using the Refinements series for years to build understanding and skill competency as allied health professionals. Updated editions ensure OMP have access to the latest, most accurate information.

We are currently in the process of updating the Refinements series and developing original modules. If you are interested in authoring a new volume in the series, please contact the JCAHPO Education Department. Click here for a complete list of available Refinements.

Contact Lens Fitting Certificate of Completion

Introducing the latest tool for ophthalmic personnel: JCAHPO’s Contact Lens Fitting Certificate of Completion. With 1 in 10 Americans wearing contact lenses, this eye care specialty is growing in importance. Using this resource, personnel have the ability to positively impact contact lens care and education for the long-term benefit of the patient.

The Certificate of Completion is comprised of prerequisite study, a case-study log for 12 patients, and a final multiple-choice exam. JCAHPO & CLAO's Contact Lens Learning Systems^® is also a significant part of the prerequisite study requirements. This interactive resource allows OMP to visualize and apply their knowledge of contact lens fitting in a safe, productive environment.

The Contact Lens Fitting Certificate of Completion packet is now available for purchase. In addition to the Contact Lens Certificate, we also offer a Low Vision Certificate of Completion. An additional three (3) certificates are expected to be launched in 2009:

• Refractive Surgery
• Imaging
• Retina

*JCAHPO Certificates of Completion are separate from JCAHPO core and specialty certifications (i.e., COA, COT, ROUB, etc.).

CDOSSM Examination Release Date

JCAHPO’s latest certification exam for ophthalmic medical personnel is scheduled for release in April 2009. The Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOSSM) credential provides OMP working with B-Scan ultrasound access to an advanced level of certification.

While the CDOS examination tests B-scan concepts and the knowledge of standardized diagnostic A-Scan, the understanding of both images is important. In practices, the ability to take and interpret both images aids the physician in making a diagnosis. This is the reason many examination questions require viewing and interpreting both B-Scan and standardized diagnostic A-scan images prior to providing an answer. Additional information on eligibility requirements, fees, and examination content are available by clicking here.

Top

---

ACE 2009: The Gateway to Golden Opportunities

Mark your calendar, the 2009 Annual Continuing Education (ACE) program is only months away! This year, we journey to the Bay City for the premiere event in eye care education for OMP. Join us October 23-27, in San Francisco, CA.

The 37th ACE Program in San Francisco will also mark 40 years since JCAHPO's founding as the leading continuing education and certification provider to OMP.

Top

---

Earn JCAHPO Credits at ASCRS

Register today for the 2009 ASCRS/ASOA regional continuing education program in San Francisco, CA, April 4-6. This is a chance to earn credits and network with some of the leading cataract and refractive surgeons and ophthalmic administrators in the world. Attendees can also take advantage of the ATPO-hosted COA, COT, and COMT Written Exam Review Courses on Friday, April 3:

• COA Review (3 A JCAHPO Credits) 9:00 a.m. to Noon
• COT Review (4 A JCAHPO Credits) 8:00 a.m. to Noon
• COMT Review (4.5 A JCAHPO Credits) 7:30 a.m. to Noon

Click here for ATPO COA/COT/COMT Review Day registration.

Prepare for your next certification exam and earn JCAHPO credits in the process. Join us in San Francisco for this specialty continuing education event. Technicians and Nurses, click here for ASCRS/ASOA program registration information.

Top

---

ACE 2008 Highlights

We are grateful to all the volunteer instructors and attendees of the 2008 ACE program last November in Atlanta, GA. Thank you for making continuing education and certification opportunities for OMP an eye care priority.

Click here to visit the post-ACE page for information on credit confirmations, contest winners, and to view the 2008 ACE Photo Gallery.

Top

---

Mark Your Calendar: 2009 Regional CE Programs

The 2009 calendar for JCAHPO & ATPO continuing education (CE) regional programs is now available. Discover the latest technology, network with colleauges, and earn credits onsite. See the list below and register for a program in your area.

Program Location	Date
Salt Lake City, UT (UOS)	February 27
San Francisco, CA (CAEPS)	March 21
San Francisco, CA (ASCRS/ASOA)	April 3-6
Vancouver, BC, Canada	May 1
Kiawah Island, SC (Storm Eye)	May 29-30
Bonita Springs, FL (FSO)	July 10-12
Myrtle Beach, SC (SCO/NCEPS)	September 11-12
Buffalo, NY (ATPO)	October 9
New York, NY (ASRS)	October 2-3 (tentative)
San Francisco, CA (ACE)	October 23-27

Top

---

Eye Care Awareness

Every year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designates each month for health observance on a pressing or relevant health-related issue. As part of this initiative, the organization has dedicated a calendar to raising awareness on issues specific to eye care. Below is a list of the upcoming months and their corresponding vision-related themes.

January – Glaucoma Awareness Month February – AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month March – Save Your Vision Month April – Sports Eye Safety Month

Look for upcoming awareness months in future issues of Eye Lights, and help your clinic stay connected to important issues in the field of eye care!

Top

---

Foundation News

2008 Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the recipients of Continuing Education (CE) Scholarships in 2008. These individuals were awarded up to $500 in scholarships for travel and expenses to the 2008 ACE program. The recipients (pictured below) were recognized following the Harold A. Stein, MD, Lecture last November in Atlanta, GA. The 2009 CE application guidelines can be found on the Foundation Web site.

2008 CE Scholarship recipients in Atlanta, GA. Jacqueline Baker, COA, Margaret Embrey, COT, Kristine Fey, COMT, Kristi Forman, COA, Debra Hennagir, COA, Rita Martin, COA, Mary Nordenstrom, COT, Carla Simmons, COT. (Listed alphabetically; not all recipients are pictured.)

Top

2008 Harold A. Stein, MD, FRCS(C) Prize for Best Scientific Paper

Congratulations to Craig Simms, COMT, ROUB, of Calgary, AB, Canada, who received a $2,000 prize for his scientific paper titled, “The Role of 20MHz Anterior Segment B-Scan.”

In 2007, Mr. Simms was appointed by CSOMP to serve as a JCAHPO Commissioner. He is currently employed in the Department of Ophthalmology by the Rockyview Hospital in Calgary, AB. He is a founding member of the Canadian Society of Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (CSOMP), and served as the organization’s President from 1996-2001.

2009 Virginia Boyce Service Award

The Virginia S. Boyce Service Award is presented annually to ophthalmic medical personnel, preferably JCAHPO-certified, who have made outstanding voluntary public service contributions in the assistance of eye care and prevention of vision loss. A stipend of up to $500 is given to the recipient to help pay expenses to attend JCAHPO’s ACE program for the award presentation. Information about the 2008 recipient, Tim (Teotimo) Mendez is available on the Foundation Web site.

Criteria for Selecting Recipients

Any person may nominate candidates for this award, with appropriate documentation included to indicate worthiness for the award. Information must be received by May 1 of each year. A Foundation committee will review submissions and notify the recipient by the end of June to allow sufficient time to make travel arrangements to receive the award. A person may receive only one Virginia S. Boyce Service Award in a lifetime.

The deadline to receive nominations for the 2009 Virginia Boyce Service Award is May 1, 2009.

Top

2009 Scholarships Available

Guidelines and applications for scholarships are available on the Foundation Web site, along with the Release Form granting the Foundation permission to quote from the application or essay.

• Program Scholarships are available for students accepted in accredited training programs for ophthalmic medical assistants, technicians, technologists, and orthoptists. Deadline for receipt of applications is June 19, 2009. Assistant programs may submit at any time during the year.




• Certification Scholarships will assist with examination fees for ophthalmic medical personnel wishing to advance in the field. Essays titled "Why Certification is Important to Me" must arrive in the Foundation office by April 24, 2009.

Funds to Help You Attend JCAHPO's 2009 Annual Meeting in San Francisco October 23-27!

• Continuing Education Scholarships of up to $500 each are available for registration fees and travel to JCAHPO’s ACE program, and are open to all ophthalmic medical personnel who have not received continuing education scholarships from the Foundation between 2006 and 2008. Recipients of Certification and/or Disaster Relief/Katrina Scholarships are not included in this guideline.

Additional Scholarships

• New Venue!

  Electronic format or written essays or videos may be submitted on any of the following titles:

  "Certification – A Stepping Stone to My Future"; "Why I Would Choose Ophthalmic Medical Assisting as a Career Again"; "Why Eye MDs Need Certified Ophthalmic Medical Personnel." Deadline for receipt in the Foundation office is August 1.



• Harold A. Stein, MD, Prize for Best Scientific Paper / $1,500 cash prize, plus $500 travel and lodging reimbursement. All ophthalmic medical personnel are invited to submit an ORIGINAL written scientific presentation on any ophthalmic topic of their choice, i.e., glaucoma, contact lenses, dry eye, animal eyes, cataracts, macular degeneration, etc. Go to the Foundation Web site to print guidelines and an application. Deadline for receipt in the Foundation office is June 26, 2009.




• Disaster Relief Scholarships may be used for annual or regional programs, and for continuing education credits using JCAHPO Refinements or audio/video presentations listed on the JCAHPO order form.




• ATPO - Up to two $500 scholarships are available for essays titled, “How ATPO Has Enhanced My Career." Applications and guidelines are available at www.atpo.org or the Foundation Web site. Deadline for receipt in the Foundation office is August 1, 2009.

Legacy Society

The JCAHPO Education and Research Foundation established the Legacy Society in 2006 to honor those who have included JCAHPO in their planned giving, a part of estate planning that allows you to make contributions to organizations you want to support long-term, either in your lifetime or after your death. Bequests, cash, life insurance, IRAs, and securities are just some of the ways you can include JCAHPO in your estate plans. Talk to your legal counsel or financial advisor about special opportunities that allow you to give more than you might have thought possible. Two new members in the Legacy Society bring the current total to 13 members.

Remember: If you don’t have a will, the state does---with strict laws directing what will happen to your property and assets. The closest relatives will receive equal shares after expenses are paid to the state to search for heirs, post bonds, etc. Friends and charitable interests are not included in this search or distribution. If there are no legal heirs, your assets become property of the state and are sold at auction. Make sure YOU are making the decisions about YOUR property and assets---not the state!

Contact the Foundation office at (800) 284-3937, ext. 246, or e-mail carol@jcahpo.org for free brochures, including, "37 Things People 'Know' About Wills That Aren't Really So" and "An Estate Planning Quiz."

Top