Elevate Your Nonclinical Staff
to National Professional Status
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
4. Practice provides continued support to employees
by offering continuing education opportunities
3. Practice receives login information and
detailed instructions via email within
one business day of registration
2. Practice submits application and
one-time registration fee, as well as
any individual applicant fees for
each employee
1. Practice makes commitment to
support program
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.
Employee Certification Process
Receives username and password
with detailed instructions via email
after practice has registered and paid
individual application fee
Reviews study guides and
courses available on the CPSS
website or other outside resources
Completes computerized
certification test with 130 questions
(while supervised by administrator)
Employees are notified of official test results
immediately upon completion of the exam
Pass:
Score of 80% or better.
Retake:
Score of 79% or less.
Employee will receive a
certificate of recognition
and certification pin.
Employee will need to
retake the CPSS
certification test.
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
OSHA
HIPAA
Spelling of Commonly
Used Words
Customer Service/
Practice Standards
Eye Exams/Triaging
Ocular Emergencies
Insurance/Billing/
Coding
Common Ophthalmic
Diagnoses
Scope of Practice/
Optical Dispensary
Abbreviations of
Medical Terminology
Anatomy and
Physiology of
the Eye
Ophthalmic Facilities
and Equipment
Resources Available
CPSS Recommended Study Guides (Basic):
Basic Training Courses
Optical Dispensary
Regulatory and Compliance Courses
OSHA
HIPAA
Medicare Basics
Fundamentals of Diagnosis Coding
Telephone Skills Training
Resources Available
CPSS  Recommended Study Guides (Intermediate):
Maximizing Practice Collections
(4-part series)
Triaging Ocular Emergencies
Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye
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 to
join the exciting CPSS program.
Elevate your nonclinical staff
to national professional status now!