Elevate Your Nonclinical Staff

to National Professional Status

Certified Patient Service Specialist Program

Mission

To establish a national standard of excellence that recognizes and promotes the professionalism of nonclinical staff by providing certification and continuing education focused on increasing the quality of patient care.

Why is certification important?

Establishes those who hold the Certified Patient Service Specialist® credential as recognized professionals in the medical practice

Creates a national standard of proficiency for nonclinical staff

Recognizes and creates growth opportunities for experienced staff and offers a professional development pathway for new employees

Provides a potential competitive advantage for the practice in third-party contracting

Why is certification important?

Establishes an expectation for continuing education through the recertification process

Indicates a high level of competency and commitment to patients

Offers a tangible employee benefit that supports staff retention

Highlights the encouragement and support of the physicians and administration

Practice Registration Process

Practice provides continued support to employeesby offering continuing education opportunities

Practice receives login information anddetailed instructions via email withinone business day of registration

Practice submits application andone-time registration fee, as well as any individual applicant fees for each employee

Practice makes commitment tosupport program

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Certification Requirements

Staff Member…

Is a member of a participating medical practice.

Has at least one year of experience in a medical eye care practice.

Completes a certification application and receives manager approval.

Completes computerized certification exam with score of 80% or better.

Is notified of results and certification status after taking the exam.

Pass:Score of 80% or better.

Employee will receive a certificate of recognition and certification pin.

Retake: Score of 79% or less.

Employee will need to retake the CPSS certification test.

Employees are notified of official test results immediately upon completion of the exam

Completes computerizedcertification test with 130 questions(while supervised by administrator)

Employee Certification Process

Reviews study guides andcourses available on the CPSS

website or other outside resources

Receives username and password with detailed instructions via email

after practice has registered and paid individual application fee

Recertification Requirements

Applicant must…

Reapply for certification every 3 years.

Document at least 15 hours of continuing education (with supervisor approval) in the 3-year certification period.

Retake the certification test if certification is not renewed on or before the expiration of certification.

Areas of Knowledge

Human Resources

HIPAA

Customer Service/ Practice Standards

Insurance/Billing/Coding

Abbreviations of Medical Terminology

Ophthalmic Facilities and EquipmentAnatomy and

Physiology ofthe Eye

Scope of Practice/ Optical Dispensary

Common Ophthalmic Diagnoses

Eye Exams/TriagingOcular Emergencies

Spelling of Commonly Used Words

OSHA

Resources Available

CPSS Recommended Study Guides (Basic):

Basic Training Courses

Optical Dispensary

Regulatory and Compliance CoursesOSHA HIPAA

Medicare Basics

Fundamentals of Diagnosis Coding

Telephone Skills Training

Maximizing Practice Collections (4-part series)

Triaging Ocular Emergencies

Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye

Resources Available

CPSS Recommended Study Guides (Intermediate):

Benefits of Certification

Recognition of knowledge and accomplishments by peers, physicians, administrative staff, and patients

Certificate acknowledging accomplishments

Certification pin

Induction into a growing association of professionals—Certified Patient Service Specialist® designees

Opportunities for continuing education and professional growth

Next Step

Make a commitment for your practice tojoin the exciting CPSS program.

Elevate your nonclinical staff to national professional status now!