Para Information
Welcome to the Para Page! The place to come for all things Para!
Do you find yourself wondering, "Am I a Paraoptometric"? Do you work in an optometrist office and are not an OD? According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), paraoptometrics are allied health professionals who assist doctors of optometry in providing their highest level of vision care to patients.
Paraoptometric certification is a program developed by a respected panel of American Optometric Association (AOA) certified paraoptometrics and doctors of optometry, created to encourage continuing education and knowledge as the field of optometric assisting grows.
The AOA offers four levels of certification for optometric staff. Each program requires successful completion of an examination prepared and administered by the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification (CPC) with the assistance of Professional Testing Corporation (PTCNY). The purpose of the examination is to assure a level of knowledge to perform the functions necessary for each certified designation. Recipients must renew their certification every three years to remain current in their field. AOA membership is not required to become certified or to maintain a paraoptometric certification.
The CPO™, CPOA™ and CPOT™ examinations are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The NCCA accreditation serves as a benchmark on how organizations should conduct certification and clearly distinguishes the excellence and value of CPC certification. The CPC is a member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, an organization that provides education, networking, and other resources for professionals.1
Tennessee Paraoptometric Association, Board of Directors |
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President, Heather Ashley, CPO |
Vice-President, Amie Robinson, CPOA, ABOC |
Treasurer, Donna Rogers |
Secretary, Gloria Coffman, ABOC |
Past-President, Melanie Jenkins, CPO |
Save The Date!
May 18, 2024, Special Olympics Tennessee's Opening Eyes, Lipscomb University & Centennial Sportsplex, Nashville, TN.
OD’s and students from Southern College of Optometry will be onsite to perform vision screens. Volunteers are needed to help participants select frames, take measurements and pre-test.
June 19-24, 2024, Optometry’s Meeting will be in Nashville, Tennessee at the Music City Center.
Optometry’s Meeting® delivers a premier, industry-recognized continuing education (CE) and professional development program for optometrists, paraoptometric professionals and optometry students that not only satisfies your board and accreditation needs but also aligns the profession with optometry’s advancing scope of practice nationwide.2
For more information copy and paste this link in the search bar.: https://aoa.uberflip.com/i/1513024-2024-optometry’s-meeting-conference-preview/13?
October 19-23, 2024, Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians, & Tennessee Paraoptometric Association, Fall Congress, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Continuing education for Para’s is being planned now. Tell us what you’d like to learn. We hope to see you there!
For additional information, questions about paraoptometric certification, or volunteering please email amie@springhilleyecare.com
1aoa.org/education/paraoptometric-resources/paraoptometric-certification-and-renewal