Allied Health Recruitment and Training Tool Kit; Educational Training Resources; American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives

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ALLIED HEALTH RECRUITMENT & TRAINING TOOL KIT
IV. OPHTHALMIC EDUCATIONAL TRAINING RESOURCES

Ophthalmic Education Training

Educational training for beginning students as ophthalmic assistants can include one or a combination of the following:

Formal educational training through an accredited program/school
Available for candidates who choose to attend a program accredited by a national accrediting agency. Provides a progressive training experience that prepares students for highly competent technical support. Additionally, the structure and environment is conducive to learning that utilizes realistic training, state-of-the-art equipment, evolving professional standards of care and may include a clinical component. Classes are designed to give a focused educational experience within a small group size allowing for a high level of student-teacher interaction. Many educational organizations have job placement programs to assist graduates in finding more immediate employment upon completion of their coursework.

The Commission on Accreditation for Ophthalmic Medical Programs (CoA-OMP) provides a listing of Ophthalmic Assistant Programs and Ophthalmic Technician/Medical Technologist Programs.

Independent or self-study
Primary method of training for individuals who are already working in the field:

Allied Health On-the-Job Training Kit Easily and thoroughly train new allied health personnel. Contents: Ophthalmic Medical Assisting Text and Exam: The core text for beginning ophthalmic allied health professional. Includes two new chapters and updated content. The course consists of a full-color textbook and an examination booklet. Fundamentals of Ophthalmic Medical Assisting DVD: Shows ophthalmic medical personnel how to perform a variety of basic tests. The Primer: Introduces beginning clerical and clinical staff to basic concepts in ophthalmology and to working in an ophthalmology office. JCAHPO Learning Systems Software: Interactive software offers benefits beyond traditional classroom training. Text-based instruction includes an interactive glossary to explain unfamiliar terms and video demonstrates actual procedures. The interactive functions allow ophthalmic professionals to manipulate equipment and view patient response as if it were a real life examination. Six multi-media courses on the CD. Ophthalmic Medical Personnel On-the-Job Trainers' Guide and Curriculum: A detailed guide that physicians and administrators can use to train new and current allied health personnel.
Ophthalmic Medical Assisting: An Independent Study Course Revised illustrated 4th Edition includes two new chapters: Refractive Surgery Concepts and Procedure and Understanding Practice Management. Other enhancements include: revised chapters and glossary incorporating new evidence-based information and ground breaking technologies, 37 procedures explained in detail, and reorganization of chapters to establish a path for learning, moving from concepts of ophthalmic science in the early chapters to practical techniques and office interactions in later chapters.Fulfills most requirements for the COA exam administered by JCAHPO. Course consists textbook & examination booklet. AAO 415.561.8540
JCAHPO Learning Systems® CD-ROM Interactive six course set includes: Keratometry, Lensometry, Ocular Motility, Retinoscopy/ Refinement, Tonometry & Visual Fields: Provides innovative approach to learning with animation and video Six complimentary JCAHPO Group A CE Credits
JCAHPO & ATPO offer continuing education opportunities through participation in non-traditional, non-classroom instructional activities such as: Audio Lectures, Articles, Internet Based Courses, Videotapes and Refinement Print-based Modules.

Distance Learning
Provides a means for individuals to expand their knowledge base while pursuing other educational coursework, on-the-job training, or work. Educational materials and courses provide a means for a pre-determined curricula and pathway designed to teach specific skills at a reasonable cost.

Centennial College Ophthalmic Medical Personnel Program Accredited by JCAHPO - Program enables students to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to function as an ophthalmic assistant, providing quality care under the supervision of a registered eye care practitioner.416-289-5000, ext. 2555
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Ophthalmic Assistant & Distance Learning Program Students study the theory and skills essential to practice. Included are: anatomy and physiology of the eye, pathology of the eye, visual fields, diagnostic techniques, optics and history taking. All candidates must be employed by an ophthalmologist. 403.284.8456
You and the Telephone is an online basic training and refresher course developed by the AAO & JCAHPO for front office staff. This course provides you with the skills you need to be successful in an Ophthalmology practice. You will learn how to communicate with patients, doctors, and other staff as well as learn some basic ophthalmology terms, anatomy and physiology. By gaining these skills, you will be able to be an active part of the team helping patients improve their eye health.

On-The-Job training
Most significant to individuals seeking alternatives for training other than formal academic programs and offers flexibility to individuals who have financial obligations and need to begin working immediately. Physicians extend opportunities to train staff increasing the potential for better long-term retention. The individual is supervised during the term of the training by medical professionals in the physician's office. As satisfactory progress in both On-The-Job Training and related self-study is achieved, staff is advanced in accordance with the employers’ wage schedule.

OTJ Training Strategies For Your New Ophthalmic Assistant course #540 scheduled for presentation during the AAOE Program of the 2008 Joint Meeting.

View handout of the April 30 Web conference On-the-Job Training (OJT) Strategies for Your New Ophthalmic Assistant (PDF 1.55 MB)

Techniques Electronic Newsletter

Techniques features articles written to help Member administrators and physicians enhance the capacity of their ophthalmic technical personnel and support the practice’s training and retention activities. The focus of this newsletter is to enhance the capacity of practices to provide on-the-job training for techs, and to increase the pool of qualified techs.

	2008
Techniques July 2008	Using Templates to Improve Technician Efficiency
Techniques May 2008	Office Culture
Techniques March 2008	Efficiently Using Ophthalmic Medical Personnel
Techniques January/February 2008	Salary Trends of the Ophthalmic Technical Team
	2007
Techniques November/December 2007	Hiring & Keeping Great Staff
Techniques September/October 2007	Optimizing Your In-House Training
Techniques July/August 2007	Recruitment Techniques for Ophthalmic Medical Technical Staff
Techniques May/June 2007	Management of Patients with Permanent Vision Loss: The Academy’s SmartSight™ Vision Rehabilitation Program
Techniques March/April 2007	OSHA Bloodborne Infection Issues
Techniques January/February 2007	Caring for Our Elderly Patients
	2006
Techniques August/September 2006	Allied Health Personnel and the Issue of Ethics
Techniques June/July 2006	The Ophthalmologist’s Role in Emergency Care: On-Call and Follow-up Duties Under EMTALA
Techniques May 2006	Color Vision
Techniques April 2006	Pupil Evaluation
Techniques March 2006	Interpreters for Deaf Patients
Techniques February 2006	Interpreters for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Patients
Techniques January 2006	Ophthalmic Abbreviations
	2005
Techniques December 2005	The Art of Patient Communication
Techniques November 2005	Vendors’ Gifts to Physicians: Is it True That Nothing in Life is Free?
Techniques October 2005	> Medicare’s New Prescription Drug Benefit - What You & Your Patients Need to Know > Electronic Prescription for Part D Drugs Announced
Techniques September 2005	What Every Tech Must Know About Coding and Documentation, Part II
Techniques August 2005	What Every Tech Must Know About Coding and Documentation, Part I
Techniques July 2005	Dealing with Difficult People
Techniques June 2005	The Role of Ophthalmic Medical Personnel in Informed Consent: PC-IOL's
Techniques May 2005	Observers Present During Surgical Procedures
Techniques April 2005	Premiere Issue Noncompliance: A Frequent Prelude to Malpractice Lawsuits

CODEquest Coding College

Take advantage of these convenient one-day seminars sponsored with your state or specialty society to get up-to-date, state- and specialty-specific coding information. Six hours JCAHPO Category A CEUs Offered.

Ophthalmic Coding Series

This kit includes all 18 of the 2009 Ophthalmic Coding Series educational modules. Developed by AAOE, the self-study modules give new and established coders the most comprehensive and up-to-date ophthalmic coding information available. Protect your bottom line by ensuring that the ophthalmologists, technicians and coding staff in your practice receive thorough and accurate education to avoid penalties for coding errors.

This series is recommended as a study guide for the Ophthalmic Coding Specialist Exam.
The 2009 Ophthalmic Coding Series kit includes:

2009 Introduction to Ophthalmic Coding – CPT Module (#012330)
2009 Introduction to Ophthalmic Coding – ICD-9 Module (#012331)
2009 Evaluation & Management Documentation Coding Module (#012332)
2009 Eye Code Documentation Coding Module (#012333)
2009 Special Ophthalmological Services Coding Module (#012334)
2009 Major Surgical Procedures Coding Module (#012335)
2009 Minor Surgical Procedures Coding Module (#012336)
2009 Mastering Modifiers Coding Module (#012337)
2009 Optical Dispensing Coding Module (#012340)
NEW! Code This Chart Coding Module (#012358)
NEW! 2009 Frequently Asked Questions Coding Module (#012361)
2009 Coding Compliance Module (#012346)
2009 Anterior Chamber Coding Module (#012338)
2009 Cornea Coding Module (#012339)
2009 Glaucoma Coding Module (#012347)
2009 Oculoplastics Coding Module (#012342)
2009 Pediatric and Strabismus Coding Module (#012343)
2009 Retina Coding Module (#012344)

The kit comes in a tabbed 3-ring binder. Each module is also available individually.

Each module offers one category 1 CME credit, 1 JCAHPO category A CE credit or 1 AAPC CEU.

Now taking advance orders. This product is expected to ship by November 1, 2008.

Tool Kit Index:

I.	NEW WAYS TO THINK ABOUT RECRUITMENT
II.	JOB APPLICANT SOURCES & HOW TO FIND THEM
III.	RECRUITMENT TOOLS
IV.	Current Page OPHTHALMIC EDUCATIONAL TRAINING RESOURCES
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