Updated Ophthalmic Career Progression Program Available from NAO

The National Academy of Opticianry has updated it Ophthalmic Career Progression Program text. The text reportedly "very closely follows the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) Task Analoysis, the basis for the National ABO Certification Exam." The text consists of four illustrated volumes, each with an exam. There's also a final exam. NAO also has a fifth volume that focuses on contact lenses.The text was written by three renowned academics in opticianry:

• Diane F. Drake, LDO, ABOM, FCLSA, FNAO
• David F. Meldrum, LDO, ABOM, FNAO, and
• Randall L. Smith, M.S., ABOM, NCLEC, FNAO.

The OCPP is a convenient, affordable home-study, on-the-job training tool for apprenticing opticians. Several states accept it as a viable method to achieve required training and education for licensing and national certification. It is also widely used in states that don't require licensing and certification as a quality, thorough base-line for on-the-job training. To find out more about the program go to www.nao.org and click into the Ophthalmic Career Progression Program (OCPP) for more information or call NAO (800-229-4828).

CDC Will Launch Campaign Targeted at Young Adult Contact Lens Wearers

According to Vision of the Industry, the National Academy of Opticianry magazine, "in November, 2014, the CDC will launch a 5-day campaign targeted to young adult contact lens wearers 18-22 years old and to eye care providers. This is a broad outreach campaign that will focus on dissemination of healthy contact lens wear and care information and materials. The CDC will engage with media, social media, and both CDC and partner communication channels and networks to disseminate messages and content." The CDC has partnered with professional organizations to begin a new healthy contact lens awareness effort. As part of that effort, free infographics are currently available through the CDC. Read the article.

NAO Offers Job Bank for Optician Members

"The [National Academy of Opticianry]... offers both a “Help Wanted” section and a “Position Wanted” section in our popular Job Bank," the association announced recently. The NAO writes, "'Help Wanted' is where you will find the job-of-your-dreams posted by employers across the country who need someone of your incredible talent, knowledge, credentials, and experience. 'Position Wanted' is where you can post your impressive resume to be found by companies searching for someone of your incredible talent, knowledge, credentials, and experience." Read more.

NAO Promoting Membership Drive

"Ask your co-workers to join the NAO and get an NAO gift for every new member who joins! Plus... your new member gets one, too!" That's the word from a recent National Academy of Opticianry. "Here's how it works: When your co-worker(s) join the NAO, both you and your new member(s) choose a gift. Choose from a free CEC, a gleaming NAO lapel pin, or a $15 gift card to use on anything the NAO offers, including your own membership dues! Membership is $75. Membership is good through November, 2014. Offer ends on December 15, which gives you roughly a month for you and your new member(s) to cash-in! Your new member(s) get to choose a free CEC, a lapel pin, or a $15 gift card as well!...Once they join, they can also earn free NAO gifts for everyone they sign up too!...After you and your new member fill out the membership form, fax it to us at 301-577-3880. Call us if you have questions at 800-229-4828." Download the form at this site.

NAO offers training for opticians, which is valid in eight states. NAO recently highlighted Linda Conlin, founder of OpticalCEUs, in its publication Vision of Industry. (Go to www.opticalceu.com.)

National Academy of Opticianry Recognizes Linda Conlin, Founder of OpticalCEUs

"In this issue, we are choosing to use this space to highlight a particularly amazing [NAO] ambassador. Linda Conlin...has been an NAO fellow since 1999 and an ambassador for many years. Her work for us is consistently wonderful that she has won our Ambassador of the Year Award twice." That's the start of an article (page 16) in this month's Vision of the Industry, the official publication of the National Academy of Opticianry.

Eight States Certify NAO's OCPP as an Alternative to Education

Eight states--namely Alaska, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas--now allow apprenticing opticians to enroll in the National Academy of Opticianry's Ophthalmic Career Progression Program (OCPP) rather than attend school full-time, notes the National Academy of Opticianry. "These states...view the OCPP as one method for Apprenticing Opticians to achieve their states' rigid education and training requirements via the OCPP's  'home study' apprenticing program," according to a recent NAO email.

Participants in the 28-year-old program must have a high-school diploma or equivalent and must work in an optical position with a licensed and practising optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist. The student also must interact daily with his/ her sponsor, who assesses the student's progress through the program.  The cost of the OCPP is $800.  A payment plan is available.

The NAO notes that more than 1450 students in the U.S. and overseas participate in the program while working for such operations as LensCrafters, WalMart, Davis Vision, Empire Vision, National Vision, Pearle Vision, and Sterling. 

Since the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) has approved the OCPP as a method for preparing for the ABO certification exam, opticians and eye doctors from the other 42 states use the program as a baseline for their training programs. For more information, call NAO (800-229-4828) or click the OCPP button on the association's home page.