"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 credentialed OPTICAL PROFESSIONALS become TELEHEALTH VISION SPECIALISTS and earn the 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 patients 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 with in the Optical industry and has the potential to more than double the business volume in an independent opticians office.
Only Optical Professionals who earn this designation of being an "Ophthalmic Optician" by successfully completing the "Visual Assessment Specialist Course". It is a requirement to be able to use the Registered title "Ophthalmic Optician".
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 advanced 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 the link to it is found below. Please, review module #1 before applying to become a registered "Ophthalmic Optician".
If you choose to complete Modules #2, #3, and #4 and apply to become a registered "Ophthalmic Optician" there is a fee of $199. The renewal of your registered "Ophthalmic Optician" status is just $59/year. We have a candidate status available if you are a student or working on your necessary credentials at a cost of $25 that can be applied to the cost of the full course, when you are prepared to complete the course.
Step 1/ Go to our CONTACT BUTTON to access the FREE Module #1, Send us your contact information and we will respond via email. Please read the following instructions:
"YOU WILL 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 course have quizzes. 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, we will send you the application to take the VAS course and become designated as an "Ophthalmic Optician". (See form below)
(Email us at info@ophthalmicoptician.org or text (512) 657-2020, if you have any questions)