Allied Health
Allied health professionals are vital to the provision of world class eye care at the Kellogg Eye Center. The largest group of allied health professionals are our 58 ophthalmic technicians, who take part in patient examinations and care in the clinics. Other allied health personnel include professional staff in the contact lens, ophthalmic ultrasound, ophthalmic photography, low vision, occupational therapy, orthoptics, and prosthetics services. This diverse group of staff have continuing education needs which stem from the constantly evolving state of technology and practice in ophthalmic care, as well as the requirements of professional organizations in which many are certified. For example, our ophthalmic technicians are certified by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO), which sets standards for achieving certification at several levels and requirements for maintaining certification.
To provide for continuing education of our allied health professionals, the Department of Ophthalmology sponsors an annual series of courses led by experienced faculty, and open to allied health professionals from the Department and the surrounding community. Approval for continuing education credit hours is sought for all courses from the appropriate certifying organizations, such as JCAHPO. An annual brochure ("Continuing Medical Education Courses for Physicians & Allied Health Professionals") is distributed widely to announce courses for the coming year, and each course also is promoted by a mailed announcement. Please see the listing for Allied Health courses for the current academic year.
The Department also promotes other continuing education opportunities for its allied health professionals by providing funds to support attendance at annual meetings of the key professional organizations. Since many of these organizations schedule meetings concurrently with the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Annual Meeting, a group of our allied health staff attend this meeting each year. Attendance is based on merit, availability of funds, participation in continuing education teaching and courses, time lapse since last supported attendance, and need for specialized training, with a goal to provide this opportunity to all staff on a rotating basis. Support also is provided for staff who must travel to undergo certification advancement testing or specialized training. Upon achieving advanced certification, the Department recognizes such achievements by announcement and provision of a certificate and cash award.
Information
For additional information and inquiries regarding Allied Health, please contact:
David Musch, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Phone: 734.763.8175
E-mail: dmusch@umich.edu
Links to related sites
The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO)
http://www.jcahpo.org/
The Ophthalmic Photographers' Society
http://www.opsweb.org
Michigan Ophthalmic Personnel Society
http://www.eyemops.org
American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery and the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators
http://www.ascrs.org/
National Library of Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/
SLACK, Inc. (Journal Publishing Division)
http://www.slackinc.com/journals.asp
The World Wide Eye (Ophthalmic Education)
http://www.eye.com/login.cgi
