Become a "Visual Assessment Specialist"
Earn this NEW Telehealth Credential for Optical Professionals
The SAO has developed a series of four Two Hour Online Modules to help certified optical professionals add a new ophthalmic telehealth skill set to their tool belts.
Upon successfully earning this designation, an optical professional will have learned how to become a facilitator of the final Rx by helping telehealth doctors communicate better with their patients. Advanced Certified Optical Professionals will earn the designation of being an SAO "Visual Assessment Specialist". (VAS)
As a VAS optical professional, qualified Optical professionals would become facilitators of the final Rx and would work closely with Optometrists and Ophthalmologist to achieve the best possible results for the patients during a telehealth exam.
Click here to access the FREE Step 1/Module #1 of the VAS Course!
When you arrive at the sight, ignore STREAM and Go Straight to CLASS WORK to review the course.
Should you choose to earn this SAO Telehealth Designation, you will be required to renew your VAS Designation every seven years by taking a refresher course. The re-designation shall be renewed for an appropriate fee as determined by the SAO. If you are interested, please fill out the VAS Course Application Form (link found below in RED) and mail, scan and email, or fax it to the address found on the application form.
The official Four Module course titles: (Course Segment #1 is FREE)
# 1 Why and For Whom the SAO is creating “Visual Assessment Specialist” designation
# 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
Only advanced credentialed optical professionals qualify to earn this designation:
(OO, ABO-AC, ABOM, COT, COMT, CPOT,NCLE-AC, dual certified ABOC/NCLEC)
This Visual Assessment Specialist course has a one-time fee. Step 1/Module #1 is FREE and the link to it is found below. The cost of taking Modules #2, #3, and #4, sitting for the final exam, and becoming a SAO Certified “Visual Assessment Specialist” (VAS) has a fee of $199. Only advanced certified optical professionals are qualified to take the final exam. If someone wishes to take the full course before they are qualified to sit for the final exam, they can take the course, but they will not be allowed to be designated an SAO “Visual Assessment Specialist” until they reach advance status as an optical professional.
FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS BELOW TO VIEW THE STEP #1/MODULE #1 (Its FREE)
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If you have not already viewed our FREE Step #1/Module #1 of our FOUR Module course, please view it now and decide if you are ready to become a SAO "Visual Assessment Specialist": This course is designed to help all advanced credentialed optical professionals become the "facilitators of the final Rx in the ophthalmic telehealth field ".
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Welcome to of the Visual Assessment Specialist Course! Follow these instructions:
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.
Click here to access the Step 1/Module #1 of the VAS Course!
There are several sections in the "Classwork" page of each module for you to read. Only the official four module course has quizzes. We hope you choose to earn this NEW credential and help doctors and patients as a SAO "Visual Assessment Specialist".
Application to take the course and become designated as a "Visual Assessment Specialist" is found below. (Email us at info@ophthalmicoptician.org , if you have any questions)
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Sign-Up for the "Visual Assessment Specialist Certification" Hands-on Training and Testing
Sign-Up for the "Visual Assessment Specialist Certification" Hands-on Training and Testing
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Sign-Up for the "Visual Assessment Specialist Certification" Hands-on Training and Testing
Sign-Up for the "Visual Assessment Specialist Certification" Hands-on Training and Testing
Sign-Up for the "Visual Assessment Specialist Certification" Hands-on Training and Testing
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Sign-Up for the "Visual Assessment Specialist Certification" Hands-on Training and Testing
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Your donation will help make possible for this new certification program to become a reality.
Visual Assessment Specialist (VAS)
"Visual Assessment Specialist" Training and Certification test is being offered as an online course.
All Advanced Credentialed Ophthalmic Professionals and only Advanced Certified Ophthalmic Professionals that are interested in earning this new and advanced level certification in Ophthalmic Telehealth as an SAO certified "Visual Assessment Specialist" need to sign-up for our series of telehealth training courses available in the near future. The cost, which includes both the training and testing to become a certified "Visual Assessment Specialist", is being offered at a cost of $199. If you are ready to be one of the first to become a leader in the "Ophthalmic Telehealth" industry register now. Act now!
The Certification Testing is currently available to the following advanced certified optical professionals: (cost $199.00)
COTs, COMTs, Advanced Certified Paraoptometric Techs (CPOT), ABOC-ACs, ABOMs, NCLE-ACs, and Ophthalmic Opticians (O.O.).
Important Information
Questions? Call Sam Johnson, O.O.
(512) 657-2020 cell