Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) is the international certifying body for allied health personnel in the medical field of ophthalmology, who are collectively termed ophthalmic medical personnel (OMP). It is governed by a board that represents related organizations that have an interest in developing the personnel in ophthalmology, such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The central office of JCAHPO is located in Woodbury, Minnesota.
JCAHPO offers three professional certifications that are successive, forming a career ladder:
- Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) - entry level
- Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) - intermediate level
- Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) - advanced level
JCAHPO also offers four specialty certifications:
- Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS)
- Ophthalmic surgical assisting
- Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist (ROUB)
- Corporate Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (CCOA)
Related to JCAHPO is the Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology, which is a professional association of OMP. ATPO does not provide certification, but facilitates professional activities such as networking, continuing education, and professional certification.
Regular Member organizations
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (website)
- American Glaucoma Society (website)
- American Ophthalmological Society (website)
- American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery with the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators (website)
- American Society of Retina Specialists (website)
- Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (website)
- Association of University Professors in Ophthalmology (website)
- Association of Veterans Affairs Ophthalmologists (website)
- Canadian Ophthalmological Society (website)
- The Canadian Society of Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (CSOMP) (website)
- Consortium of Ophthalmic Training Programs
- Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists (website)
- North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (website)
- Society of Military Ophthalmologists (website)
Affiliate Member Organization
- American Association of Certified Orthoptists (website)
- American Orthoptic Council (website)
- Ophthalmic Photographers' Society (website)
- Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology (website)
- The Canadian Orthoptic Society The Canadian Orthoptic Society