"Telehealth Vision Specialist" = "Ophthalmic Optician"
Telehealth Vision Specialists are FACILITATORS of the final Rx
The SAO has developed a series of four Two-Hour Online Modules to help experienced credentialed OPTICAL PROFESSIONALS become TELEHEALTH VISION SPECIALISTS and earn the Nationally Registered Title "Ophthalmic Optician".
Their telehealth services may be offered to the public in an INDEPENDENT OPTICAL OFFICE or in a doctor's office.
In order to earn the designation "OPHTHALMIC OPTICIAN", an optical professional will have learned how to become a FACILITATOR of the FINAL Rx when helping telehealth doctors communicate better with their patients by gathering a patient's eye health exam information and verifying the new Rx before creating the eyewear. This service to the doctors and to the patients will allow Independent Opticians to be a stronger force within the Optical industry and has the potential to more than double the business volume in an independent optician's office.
Only qualified Optical Professionals who earn this designation of being an "Ophthalmic Optician" by successfully completing the "Visual Assessment Specialist" course, will be able to use the Nationally Registered title "Ophthalmic Optician" (O.O.).
The official Four Module course titles: (Course Segment #1 is FREE)
# 1 Why the SAO has created the “Visual Assessment Specialist” course
# 2 Why Gathering Patient History is Important
# 3 Reasons behind each part of a complete exam
# 4 How to Communicate Effectively and build TRUST with the Doctor and Patient
*IMPORTANT*
Only experienced credentialed optical professionals qualify to earn the designation "Ophthalmic Optician".
To qualify for membership in the SAO and use the registered title "Ophthalmic Optician®" a candidate must meet the following THREE requirements:
1. Have a minimum of 4 years of documented and verifiable professional experience.
2. Have a 2-year Opticianry Associates degree from a NFOS recognized school.
or
Possess at the minimum a basic ABO or NCLE certification, or COA certification, or CPOA certification.
3. Have successfully completed the SAO “Visual Assessment Specialist Course”.
(The SAO reserves the right - and final authority - to consider unique applicants on a case-by-case basis.)
Completion of the "Visual Assessment Specialist" course, which has four two-hour modules, is required to become designated an "OPHTHALMIC OPTICIAN".
Module #1 is FREE and can be requested via our CONTACT PAGE. Please, review module #1 before applying to become a registered "Ophthalmic Optician".
If you choose to complete Modules #1, #2, #3, and #4 and apply to become a nationally registered "Ophthalmic Optician" there is a fee of $199. We will send you an application form. The renewal of your nationally registered "Ophthalmic Optician" status will not be necessary until December 31st, 2032.
Step 1/ Go to our CONTACT BUTTON to request access to the FREE Module #1, Send us your contact information and text us at (512-657-2020) that you have sent your request. We will respond via email, with information needed to review the FREE First Section of our four-section course and an application form to proceed to the complete course, should you decide to complete the full course. Please read the following instructions:
"YOU MAY NEED A GOOGLE E-MAIL ACCOUNT TO ACCESS THIS COURSE."
When you arrive at the course, you will be automatically directed to the course announcements page (“Stream”). Please disregard the Stream: click the “Classwork” link at the top middle of your screen.
There are several sections in the "Classwork" page of each module for you to read. Only the official four module courses have quizzes (You will need to score at least an 80% or higher score on each of the four sections). We hope you choose to earn this NEW designation and help telehealth doctors and patients as a SAO "Ophthalmic Optician" and become a FACILITATOR of the FINAL Rx.
When you are ready to take the full course, pay the $199 fee on our Google payment page, email us the application form sent to you and text us that you have emailed us. Upon successfully completing all four sections. You will then receive a certificate designating you as an "Ophthalmic Optician". Your full membership status in the SAO will be good through December 31st, 2032.
(Email us at info@ophthalmicoptician.org or text (512) 657-2020, if you have any questions)