Standards and Guidelines Public Hearing. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) June 3, 2011

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1 Standards and Guidelines Public Hearing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) June 3, Q: Will currently accredited programs have any input into the new Standards and Guidelines CoA-OMP plans on implementing? A: Yes. This is the purpose of a Public Hearing and comment period. Since its beginning, CoA-OMP has always sought the input of programs and sponsoring organizations for endorsement of revisions made to the Standards and Guidelines before they are implemented. 2. Q: What is the purpose of a Public Hearing for the CoA-OMP Standards and Guidelines? A: Public Hearings are an opportunity for the public (sponsoring organizations, training programs, members, public, patients, and others) to review and give input and comment on the proposed Standards and Guidelines before they go into effect. This Public Hearing is a comment period for comments and input to be given in writing to the Board of Directors. 3. Q: What is the timeline for the Public Hearing? A: The 90-day Public Hearing is from May 1, 2011 until July 31, Q: Will a face-to-face Public Hearing Meeting be held that I can attend? A: A Public Hearing Webinar will be held in July so programs and sponsoring organizations can ask questions to the CoA-OMP Board of Directors. To save costs, at this time, no face-to-face meeting is planned. 5. Q: When will the Public Hearing Webinar be held and how do I attend? A: The Public Hearing Webinar will be held in July and all program directors and sponsoring organizations will be ed detailed instructions on how to attend. 6. Q. What is the process for implementing the new Standards and Guidelines? A: After the 90-day Public Hearing, the CoA-OMP Board of Directors will meet and review all letters and comments submitted to CoA-OMP. The Board will then make any revisions and address any issues that were identified by the comments. After all revisions and concerns are addressed, the Standards and Guidelines will be finalized. If no changes are made to the Standards, they will be published and put into effect. If substantial revisions are made, the Standards may need to be republished. 7. Q: If I agree with the Standards, should I still make a comment during the Public Hearing period? A: Yes. All comments are welcomed and are encouraged. 8. Q: If I disagree with a Standard, what do I do?

2 A: Submit a formal letter to CoA-OMP stating which Standard you disagree with and your reasons. 9. Q: How do I make my comments on the Standards and Guidelines? A: All comments or concerns regarding the new Standards and Guidelines must be submitted to CoA-OMP in formal letter format stating which Standard you are commenting on and your reasons. All letters must be submitted to CoA-OMP before July 31, Any letters received after this date will not be reviewed. Please mail to: Nick Weirens CoA-OMP 2025 Woodlane Drive St. Paul, MN Q: How are the new Standards and Guidelines finally approved? A: After the Board of Directors reviews all letters and all appropriate corrections are made, the Standards and Guidelines will be sent to CoA-OMP's sponsoring organizations (JCAHPO, ATPO and COTP) for final approval. 11. Q: What role does JCAHPO, ATPO and COTP have in approving the proposed Standards? A: These are the sponsoring organizations of CoA-OMP and have the final approval of the Standards and Guidelines. 12. Q: When do the new Standards and Guidelines go into effect? A: All new ophthalmic training programs are scheduled to make application with these new Standards and Guidelines by August 1, All current accredited ophthalmic training programs will be required to be in complete compliance at their next regularly scheduled accreditation review and annual reports should indicated progress towards compliance. 13. Q: How will these proposed new Standards and Guidelines affect the accreditation status of our program? A: Your accreditation status will not be affected by these proposed new Standards and Guidelines. 14. Q: How will the new Standards and Guidelines affect a program in the accreditation review process? A: The transition to the new Standards and Guidelines will not affect programs currently in the accreditation review process. However, the program must recognize the August 1, 2012 deadline and the appropriate Standards they must apply in order to maintain accreditation. 15. Q: Will my graduates be eligible to take the JCAHPO certifying examination during this transition period to become compliant with the new Standards and Guidelines? A: Yes. JCAHPO will recognize currently accredited programs during this transition period. 16. Q: Would the proposed new Self-Study Template streamline and make the accreditation process easier? A: Yes. The new Self-Study Template has all the instructions, survey samples, applications, and information that a program will need during its accreditation review process.

3 17. Q: What is the difference between a Standard and a Guideline? A: Training programs are only required to meet the Standards. The Guidelines accompanying the Standards are meant to provide explanations intended to assist in interpreting the Standards and to provide recommendations on how to meet and/or exceed the Standards. 18. Q: Standard II.A.2 - Program Director Qualifications. I am an orthoptist, but not JCAHPO certified. Do I meet the Program Director Qualifications? A: No. The program director must be certified at or above the highest level offered by the program or be a board eligible or board certified ophthalmologist. 19. Q: What revision was made to Standard II.C.2. Faculty and/or Instructional Staff Qualifications? A: The only revision made to Standard II.C.2. is, "The instructor and courses covering systemic diseases, eye diseases, pharmacology, and surgical assisting must be approved by the medical director." 20. Q: What is the CoA-OMP Board of Directors intent with the revision made to Standard II.C.2. Faculty and/or Instructional Staff Qualifications? A: The Board's intent is to have the program demonstrate that the medical director has direct input into the organization and delivery of the courses. 21. Q: Does Standard II.C.2. Faculty and/or Instructional Staff Qualifications require programs to have physicians or pharmacists instruct courses covering systemic diseases, eye diseases, pharmacology, and surgical assisting? A: Programs are only required to meet the Standards. The Guidelines accompanying the Standards are meant to provide explanations intended to assist in interpreting the Standards and to provide recommendations on how to meet and/or exceed the Standards. Standard II.C.2. Faculty and/or Instructional Staff Qualifications Instructors must possess appropriate education, credentials, training and experience for the course content they are teaching. The instructors must be knowledgeable in course content and effective in teaching their assigned subjects. The instructor and courses covering systemic diseases, eye diseases, pharmacology, and surgical assisting must be approved by the medical director. Guideline II.C.2. Faculty and/or Instructional Staff Qualifications Programs should require properly credentialed instructors, such as physicians or pharmacists, instruct the courses covering systemic diseases, eye diseases, pharmacology, and surgical assisting. Documentation of the properly credentialed instructors should be provided. Delivery methods of these courses may include webinars, guest speakers, or invited course instructors." 22. Q. Standard II.C.2 Faculty and/or Instructional Staff Qualifications: The proposed Standard indicates that the faculty teaching surgical assisting must be approved by the Medical Director. The Guideline states physicians should instruct courses on surgical assisting. Should it be Surgical Procedures and not Surgical Assisting? A: Important Correction: Thank you for identifying an important correction that will be made to the Standards and Guidelines after the public hearing is closed. The proper wording should be Surgical Procedures and not Surgical Assisting.

4 23. Q: What revision was made to Standard II.B.1. Medical Director Responsibilities? A: The only revision made to Standard II.B.1. is, "The medical director must approve courses and properly credentialed instructors covering systemic diseases, eye diseases, pharmacology, and surgical assisting." 24. Q: What is the CoA-OMP Board of Directors intent with the revision made to Standard II.B.1. Medical Director Responsibilities? A: The Board's intent is to have the program demonstrate that the medical director has direct input into the organization and delivery of the courses. 25. Q: Does Standard II.B.1. Medical Director Responsibilities require programs to have physicians or pharmacists instruct courses covering systemic diseases, eye diseases, pharmacology, and surgical assisting? A: Programs are only required to meet the Standards. The Guidelines accompanying the Standards are meant to provide explanations intended to assist in interpreting the Standards and to provide recommendations on how to meet and/or exceed the Standards. Standard II.B.1. Medical Director Responsibilities The medical director must approve courses and properly credentialed instructors covering: systemic diseases, eye diseases, pharmacology, and surgical assisting. The medical director of the program must provide competent direction or guidance and instruction (as appropriate) to ensure that the medical components of the curriculum, both didactic and supervised clinical practice, offer correct, timely information, and meet professional standards of patient care. Guideline II.B.1. Medical Director Responsibilities The medical director should require properly credentialed instructors, such as physicians or pharmacists, instruct the courses covering systemic diseases, eye diseases, pharmacology, and surgical assisting. 26. Q: Standard II.B.1 - Medical Director Responsibilities: The proposed Standard indicates that the Medical Director must approve properly credentialed instructors covering systemic diseases, eye diseases, pharmacology, and surgical assisting. Should it be Surgical Procedures and not Surgical Assisting? A: Important Correction: Thank you for identifying an important correction that will be made to the Standards and Guidelines after the public hearing is closed. The proper wording should be Surgical Procedures and not Surgical Assisting.

5 Public Hearing Timeline May 1, July 31, day public hearing July 2011 (Date TBD) Public hearing webinar August 12-13, 2011 Board of Directors Meeting August 2011 Standards and Guidelines revised and approved August 1, 2012 All new and current programs are required to be incompliance with the new Standards and Guidelines