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President's Message
 Spring is here, and the energy in Minnesota is contagious. Despite the cold winter, JCAHPO's programs have been springing ahead all year. The growing demand for certification and education requires finding new ways to provide affordable, accessible, and superior opportunities for ophthalmic medical personnel.
We have set high goals to become a greater advocate for ophthalmic allied health worldwide. We are expanding our certifications in specialty areas to support our technicians’ professional development and meet government standards, such as our new Ophthalmic Scribe Certification examination. JCAHPO will also work with other ophthalmic societies to expand our educational programs.
Speaking of affordable high quality continuing education, save the date for our 43rd Annual Continuing Education Program this November in Las Vegas! We expect a huge turnout this year, and we want to make sure you reserve your spot.
I’m excited about the coming year and I'm confident JCAHPO will continue to soar above and beyond your expectations.
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Certification News
NEW! Ophthalmic Scribe Certification
We are pleased to announce the release of the new Ophthalmic Scribe Certification (OSC) on EyeCareCE. The examination is designed to test the knowledge of ophthalmic scribes and ophthalmic medical personnel who create and maintain patient medical records under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.
The new OSC certification meets the CMS Rule with its 125-item Ophthalmic Scribe Certification examination. The open resource examination content covers History Taking, Ophthalmic Patient Services and Education, Ophthalmic Terminology, Medical Ethics and Legal Issues, and Medical Notes/Records. Once certified, scribes must recertify every three years.
The OSC examination can be accessed on EyeCareCE – cost is $20 for JCAHPO certified candidates, $40 for non-certified candidates, but who are ATPO or ASRS member sponsored, or $60 for non-certified candidates.
American Council on Education College Credits
We are pleased to announce that JCAHPO’s core certification examinations were approved for college credit equivalency by the American Council on Education (ACE).
The ACE Credit recommendation service is applicable for certifications received between 12/1/2014 and 11/30/2017*. The College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) evaluated and recommended college credit as follows:
- COA – 12 semester hours in the lower-division baccalaureate/associate degree category
- COT – 18 semester hours in the lower-division baccalaureate/associate degree category
- COMT – 12 semester hours in the upper-division baccalaureate degree category
*The American Council on Education previously approved college credit recommendation for certifications received from 1/1/1997 through 1/31/2008. If you received your COA, COT, or COMT certification during that time period, you may submit a request for a transcript to the American Council on Education.
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Education and E-Learning
2015 Annual Continuing Education (ACE) Program
Make plans NOW to join us in Las Vegas, November 13-16! Important dates to add to your calendar:
- J
 uly 7: Early Bird Registration Opens - Save up to $140 when you register early!
- July 8: Housing opens to Techs - Special room block just for Techs at Planet Hollywood!
- September 7: Pre-Registration Begins - last chance to save!
- October 4: Deadline for any changes or cancellation
- October 5: Pre-Registration deadline
- Nov 13-16: Onsite Registration at Planet Hollywood
The ACE Program web site will keep you updated on important information you'll need to ensure a worry-free experience.
Keynote Speakers
JCAHPO's Harold A. Stein Lecturer this year is Rebecca Alexander. Born with a rare genetic disorder called Usher Syndrome Type III, Rebecca has been simultaneously losing both her sight and hearing since she was a teenager. Despite her disability Rebecca keeps a positive outlook on life. Last fall Rebecca published her first book Not Fade Away: A Memoir of Senses Lost and Found, and has been featured on NBC's Today Show, in the NY Times, NY Post, and more. Today, Rebecca is a psychotherapist, spin instructor, volunteer, and an extreme athlete. Consistently upbeat, Rebecca encourages and inspires others who are facing their own challenges. In addition to being the Harold A. Stein Lecturer, Rebecca will also be signing her book at ACE. Read more about Rebecca Alexander's lecture here.
ATPO is pleased to announce Dr. Geoffrey Tabin as their 2015 Keynote presenter. Dr. Geoff Tabin, Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Director of the Division of International Ophthalmology at the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, and Co-Founder of the Himalayan Cataract Project. Dr. Tabin spends a considerable part of the year working abroad, both in Nepal and throughout the Himalayas, as well as in Africa. Dr. Tabin is committed to providing quality ophthalmic care and education to all the patients he serves. He has traveled the world extensively conducting sight restoring surgeries and training local doctors. Read more about Dr. Geoffrey Tabin's ATPO Keynote here.
ASCRS/JCAHPO Technicians & Nurses Program
 The ASCRS/JCAHPO Technicians & Nurses program is right around the corner! We hope you will join us in San Diego,
April 17-20 for 3 days of exceptional continuing education programming. While there, plan to visit the JCAHPO booth (#1221) in the exhibit hall.
Remember JCAHPO holds regional continuing education meetings throughout the year at various locations across the country. This quarter, we will be hosting programs in Austin, TX; Kiawah Island, SC; and Palm Beach, FL. Regional meetings are a convenient and cost-effective way to earn continuing education credits near you.
E-Learning Buzz
 EyeCareCE continues to be the most comprehensive on-demand, online continuing education website available. With hundreds of courses and new content added regularly, EyeCareCE is the definitive source for ophthalmic medical personnel continuing education. Clinic subscriptions are now available for EyeCareCE continuing education. Your entire eye care team can now have access to JCAHPO courses for the low annual fee of $349. Contact subscriptions@jcahpo.org for information on how your clinic can take advantage of this fabulous continuing education opportunity.
 JCAHPO hosts monthly live webinars on various topics in eye care. Presented by leading industry professionals, the JCAHPO webinars enable you to gain valuable knowledge and skills and are an innovative and timely way to earn your continuing education credits online. Upcoming webinars include.
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The Foundation is now accepting applications for:
- Student Scholarships for OMT Training Programs
Applications accepted through June 1
- Certification Grants
Applications accepted through April 25
- Continuing Education Grants
Applications accepted through July 31
- Harold A. Stein, MD, FRCS(C)* Prize for Best Scientific Paper
Submissions accepted through July 31
Virginia S. Boyce Humanitarian Award
Do you know someone who is an ophthalmic medical technician who demonstrates leadership and a commitment to volunteerism and public service?
The Foundation is accepting nominations for the Virginia S. Boyce Humanitarian Award through May 1. Nominate someone today!
Career Development
A Career Development Committee supports the recruitment and advancement of allied ophthalmic personnel. Led by Tyree Carr, MD, the Committee is engaged in expanding access to careers and career advancement; advocating for certification and continuing education; attracting new people to an allied ophthalmic career and demonstrating a valuable and fulfilling career pathway for those in this profession. The Committee is excited about being able to bring exciting new ideas and opportunities into action.
Visit Discover Eye Careers for more information. |
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 ATPO Corner
Apply today for the ATPO Phil Weber Continuing Education Grant
Did you know you can apply for travel grants and scholarships? ATPO is offering up to three $500 grants for ATPO members to attend the upcoming JCAHPO and ATPO Annual Continuing Education Program. All applications must be postmarked by July 31. Visit JCAHPO's Education and Research Foundation website for more information.
Coming soon!
Watch your mailbox for the 2015 ATPO Membership promotion. If you are planning on attending the ATPO Scientific Session & Grand Rounds, you’ll want to join for reduced registration rates.
Plan to participate!
Watch your mail box for the 2015 ATPO Salary and Benefits Survey. Surveys will be sent out in June.
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Tech Life: Josef Tamory, COA, BS
 You will never meet a more enthusiastic ophthalmic technician than Josef Tamory, COA, BS. An ophthalmic clinical supervisor based out of Washington D.C., Josef is the creator and mastermind behind the acclaimed Eye Tech Tips, Ophthalmic Technician Tips, and Eye Tech Pics.
Josef had just graduated with a degree in Biology/Pre-Med when he walked into The Mackool Eye Institute looking for a job within the medical field. He was originally interested in attending dental school, but decided he didn't want to work with mouths every day. At the time, he had no idea Dr. Mackool was, and still is, one of the best ophthalmologists in the world, performing over 30 cataract cases in one day.
While at The Mackool Eye Institute, Josef was trained as an ophthalmic technician, and also as a scrub tech later. After obtaining his COA certification in 2004 through JCAHPO’s home study course, Josef asked himself, “What else can I do?” He enjoyed learning in nontraditional ways, and found a need for technicians to have easier access to quick information. And thus, Eye Tech Tips was created.
 Eye Tech Tips started with just a few followers -- his close friends who were also technicians. Josef brought flyers promoting his Facebook page to meetings and academies to share his knowledge with the tech world. As his audience grew, so did their needs. Eye Tech Pics was created to help lighten tough days by incorporating humor with ophthalmology.
Today, he is constantly updating and sharing anything and everything to help over 4,000 ophthalmic technicians from all over the world learn tips and methods to assist in their daily routine and become better at their jobs. Josef also regularly pays out-of-pocket to give away ATPO memberships and JCAHPO resources to his followers. His secret to creating new content? He carries a little notebook with him. When inspiration hits, often several times a week, he writes it down to use at a later time.
Josef reflects on the favorite part of his job, “I love that I change people’s lives in just one day by doing what I do, and by supplying helpful and accurate information with doctors and colleagues.” Whether he is providing patient care or sharing his knowledge with other technicians, Josef is changing lives every day. He endlessly dedicates his time and energy for eye care education, and there is no end in sight. As Josef told us, “Learn as much as you can, if you want to. There is no limit to what you can learn.” And we couldn't agree more!
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