Regulatory_Agency

Regulatory Agency Paper A regulatory agency is an organization responsible for the practice of managing the processes and procedures employed in the function of a given industry (Encyclopedia Britannica , 2011). The agency that this paper is subject to discuss is The Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology or (JCAHPO). This paper will give details about what the history of this organization is, what authority it has, and the structure of it and how it carries out every day responsibilities in Ophthalmology. An example of the duties will also be given. The History of JCAHPO The Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology or (JCAHPO) was established in 1969, and is a nonprofit organization. It offers certification and recertification for ophthalmic personnel for the continued improvement in patient care. Since 1969 more than 25,000 people have become certified from them in the United States and Canada. Their mission is to make ophthalmic technicians certified by teaching them the standards of ophthalmic care given to patients. The organization allows Ophthalmologists’ to collaborate with one another and the organization about changes within the field. JCAHPO also offers training classes for new technicians entering the field, these technicians are very important in this setting because most Ophthalmic offices do not have nurses on staff or medical assistants. Several levels of accreditations exist through JCAHPO. These levels include Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA), Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT), Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technician (COMT), Corporate Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (CCOA), Certified Ophthalmic Registered Nurse (CORN), Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist Certification (ROUB), Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS), and Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant (OSA). Out of all of these potential credentials many never pursue anything greater than a COT. Very few organizations look for certifications above and beyond a COT. Many practices do not want to pay the salaries that are associated after the COT level. Once accredited by JCAHPO a technician can work at any ophthalmologist office or optometrist office anywhere and doctors will be sure to hire them with this certification (JCAHPO , 2011). Source and Scope of Authority JCAHPO is governed by a commission consisting of elected representatives of 19 ophthalmic organizations in the United States and Canada. Commission members elects a board of directors whose primary responsibility is managing the affairs of the commission. These organizations include the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Ophthalmological Society, the American Society of Retinal Specialists and many more. Because so many organizations are included in this commission it ensures the commission is always up-to-date with any changes in ophthalmology. The commission ensures they train and update certifications of technicians with the most up to date education in ophthalmology (JCAHPO , 2011). Another organization that is also associated with JCAHPO is the Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology or (ATPO). This organization acts as an advocate for these professionals usually over looked or not thought of in their profession. The ATPO is a membership only organization through JCAHPO, but includes many free classes for any certified individual (JCAHPO , 2011). The responsibility of JCAHPO is simply to educate ophthalmic staff and to regulate the certification of that staff. Although most ophthalmologists do not require certification to be hired many do want certification. So unlike a nurse this education is often not a requirement, but the commission is responsible to keep the technicians certified up to date. Usually any time there are changes in the field whether it is a new procedure or a change in a procedure a class needs to be taken. If a technician does not keep up with his or her certification it will expire and he or she would have to recertify. The commission is comparable to a school, it has a board that oversees the quality of the education and makes sure that the members of the organization are up to date (JCAHPO , 2011). As for authority this commission has no authority but is run by members of boards who are in authority, for example the American Board of Ophthalmologists or (ABO). This board governs Ophthalmology and the Ophthalmologists who are members. This joint commission of allied health personnel in ophthalmology is responsible daily for the continuing education of current members or new members. Like a college JCAHPO offers online courses or seminars to further education in the field. The commission offers many certifications, including, Certified Ophthalmic assistant, Certified Ophthalmic Technician, and the Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist. The responsibility of this commission is to train individuals according to the standards of Ophthalmology through the 19 other agencies represented within the board of directors in JCAHPO (JCAHPO , 2011). The Effects of JCAHPO in Ophthalmology In January 2009 the profession of an ophthalmic professional received approval from the federal government as a separate occupation classification. An ophthalmic technician is currently part of the United States Bureau of Labor’s Standard Occupation Classification or (SOC). This classification includes all of the JCAHPO certifications in Ophthalmology, and is important because of the job function of these technicians. The importance of JCAHPO as an organization is to improve the quality of care in the field. Before JCAHPO technicians were only trained by the doctors. Another effect on the field is that these technicians can perform the basic duties of taking medical histories, checking vision, dilating with eye drops and many other tasks that can free up the physician to give more of his or time to the patient and to diagnose (JCAHPO , 2011). Examples of the Duties of JCAHPO As a leader in ophthalmic certification and learning, JCAHPO has established an Education and Research Foundation to help those who want or desire the training it takes to work in the growing field of ophthalmology. The fund gives out grants to those who qualify as well as scholarships. The goal of the foundation is to expand and strengthen the quality of eye care. This is just one example of how JCAHPO has made a difference in Ophthalmology. Another example is that once certified JCAHPO will put that persons in their database and doctors can go onto the website and find a qualified technician to hire. Many Ophthalmologists use this site for perspective new hires as well as where and when new classes are to send their employees for seminars (JCAHPO , 2011). JCAHPO has created a foundation dedicated to education and research in 1990. This foundation is established to increase and fortify the delivery of eye care. The foundation has created training programs, creating a certification process for subspecialties, researching and developing psychometric means for evaluating critical skills needed to exam patients. By 2010 JCAHPO gave $15,500 to 23 students for training, $3,400 for scholarships, $9,450 in certification scholarships, and awarded the Harold Stein Prize for a scientific paper to two people totaling $2,750. These scholarships awarded by the education and research foundation gives an opportunity for those who may not be financially able to afford the financial strains of the certification process. The continuing education process can be taxing as well. With the help of the education and research foundation many individuals will be able to maintain their certification (JCAHPO, 2011) Conclusion Ophthalmology has grown, it is more important than ever to have an eye examination. JCAHPO has redefined the care of patients with ophthalmic care. With the baby boomers coming of age ophthalmic care is increasing in demand. This care is being completes through new discoveries that have been made in this field that can help to save the sight of a person young or old. With the certification programs of JACHPO to train technicians that help the doctor the doctor has more time to spend with each patient. With more time a patient can receive the quality care that he or she deserves. With proper training from the commission, whom are doctors within the field of Ophthalmology, a technician learns the important aspects of quality care, including how to assist the doctor in many functions including procedures, ultra sounds, and collecting important data vital to the patients care. With the help of the Academy of Ophthalmology, JACHPO has set the standard of education for technicians and have helped them to be recognized by other professionals nationwide.