Carissa Dunphy is an ABO Certified optician who worked in private practice optometry for 14 years and is now a Marketing Specialist at PECAA. Carissa founded Optician Now, is an expert contributor for INVISION Magazine and co-hosts the OWA Talks Podcast for the Optical Women’s Association. Carissa was named an Innovator in the Most Influential Women in Optical by Vision Monday Magazine, was awarded a Leadership Scholarship Award from the Optical Women's Association, and most recently, an Eyecare Business Game-Changer Awardee.

Working as an eye care professional, particularly in a clinical environment, we all understand how many different hats one single person often wears. In addition, we know how challenging it is to find, hire, train, and retain good employees. Being aware of these things is the first step in working towards both educating new staff members and cross-training existing staff, allowing them to all become assets to the office. 

Whilst learning how to wear all of the hats, I realized how each position had prepared me for the next. Because I had taken the time to learn the duties of each role independently, I truly understood how the practice ran. Not only did I become very valuable to the clinic, but it significantly influenced my entire career and helped shape who and where I am today. I've gathered resources over the years, and this piece will provide you with some of them. 

Note that many of these accreditations overlap into different roles in a practice — I have seen many people whose post-nominals contain a variety of accreditations. Additionally, some accreditations require a prerequisite of a previous accreditation and a specified period of time passing before the next certification can be attained.

Administrative Roles

Office Manager Certification Course (OMCC), accredited by The University of Houston, College of Optometry: The Office Manager Certification Course enables attendees to master the skills necessary to excel as an Office Manager in an Eye Care practice. The courses are taught via webinar and once the attendees pass the exam, they have attained the skills required to receive the designation of 'Certified Office Manager.' 

Optometric Billing & Coding Certification Program (OBCCP), accredited by the AHEC (Accreditation by the Higher Education Committee): This certification course is designed for eyecare professionals operating within the billing and coding capacity of the practice. The comprehensive program includes in depth training and reviews a full spectrum of billing and coding topics. 

Certified Ophthalmic Executive (COE), American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators: The national standard for ophthalmic practice management which recognizes those who have achieved the experience, knowledge and skills identified by the NBCOE as essential to practice management. This elite certification promotes excellence and professionalism in ophthalmic practice management. Get certified and be recognized as a leader in managing the business of ophthalmology.

Technician Roles

Technicians can learn a lot between the general Optical Training Materials and Dr. Root’s Virtual Eye Professor Videos. Take a look at both the AOA Marketplace and IJCAHPO EyeCare Marketplace where you can get materials specific to the certifications listed here:

Technician Certifications

• Certified Paraoptometric (CPO): An entry-level person who has attained national recognition via certification by demonstrating an understanding of the concepts used in optometric care.
• Certified Paraoptometric Assistant (CPOA): An intermediate-level person who has attained national recognition via certification by demonstrating the ability to apply the concepts used in optometric care.
• Certified Paraoptometric Technician (CPOT): An advanced-level person who has attained national recognition via certification by demonstrating the ability to understand, apply, and interrelate the concepts used in optometric care.
• Ophthalmic Scribe Certification (OSC): Designed to test the knowledge of Allied Ophthalmic Personnel who create and maintain patient medical records under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.
• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA): Entry level core designation designed to start eye care professionals on the path to success.
• Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT): Designed to test the COA who intends to advance their career in the eye care field, or the COT program graduate.
• Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT): Recognizes accomplished eye care professionals who have progressed through the COA and COT levels or are COMT training program graduates.
• Ophthalmic Surgical Assisting (OSA): Exemplifies knowledge in the procedures and instrumentation necessary to assist in ophthalmic surgical suites.

Optician Roles

A Certified Optician is one credentialed by the ABO-NCLE, who sets a national standard of competency. Some states require that Opticians be licensed to dispense, who are then Licensed Opticians. Each state requiring licensure determines their own laws for the Opticians dispensing within their borders. 

Over the years I have gathered loads of Optician educational materials. The NAO Store also has great education & testing materials. Here are the ABO-NCLE credential variations and state licensing details:

Opticianry Credentials

• American Board of Opticianry Certification (ABOC)
• ABO Advanced Certification (ABOC-AC)
• ABO Masters Designation (ABOM)
• ABO & NCLE Practical Designations
• National Contact Lens Certification (NCLEC)
• NCLE Advanced Certification (NCLE-AC)
• NCLE Masters Designation (NCLEM)
• Check here to see if your state is licensed
• Check here to see a list of accredited Opticianry programs

Bonus:

ECP Podcasts: When you’d rather listen, this list of podcasts is for anyone in the industry.

Don’t forget about LinkedIn! Keep your profile current — make sure you add any professional organizations you belong to, articles you write, certifications you earn, and positions you hold. You can also get recommendations and connect with any vendors you work with. Upon career advancement you can easily export your profile to a pdf resume! Visit my profile for an example of how to complete all of the fields.

So, What’s Next?

Where are you required and where do you thrive? Consider the things you love and the things you are not too fond of doing. Think about where you are and where you’d like to be. Be honest with yourself and you will be more satisfied in the long run. Your daily and long-term objectives should have a plan and a balance; Identifying these things can help you determine your path, and these resources can help you reach your destination.