At Illinois Eye Center, providing high-level patient care is more than just a goal—it’s an active pursuit that involves continually supporting and training our clinical staff. Our core mission to protect, preserve, and restore vision guides all aspects of our work, and one critical component is ensuring that each member of our team is equipped with the knowledge and skills to deliver the highest caliber of care. While our physicians set the medical standards for diagnosis and treatment, the frontline support staff play a key role in maintaining exceptional patient experiences and outcomes. This is why Illinois Eye Center encourages and facilitates their journey toward advanced certifications in ophthalmic care.
The most widely recognized certifying body for ophthalmic allied health personnel is the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO). Established in 1969, IJCAHPO is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to offering certification and continuing education to professionals working in ophthalmology. Today, more than 30,000 individuals across the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world hold an IJCAHPO credential. Illinois Eye Center alone boasts 43 clinical team members (non-doctor) who have earned at least one of these certifications—an impressive number that underscores our unwavering commitment to excellence.
IJCAHPO provides a variety of certification pathways, each one designed to develop and validate different levels of expertise. One such credential is the Certified Ophthalmic Scribe (OSC), which ensures a thorough understanding of how to accurately document patient visits under an ophthalmologist’s supervision. Scribes help maintain meticulous patient records, which is essential for continuity of care and accurate treatment plans. Other certifications include the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA), often an entry point for professionals looking to gain foundational skills in eye care. Individuals who aspire to more advanced clinical responsibilities can pursue the Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT), building upon the COA designation to expand both knowledge and practical competencies. Finally, the Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) represents one of the highest levels of achievement, recognizing those who have excelled in both training and real-world clinical proficiency.
By supporting our staff’s efforts to obtain these certifications, Illinois Eye Center ensures that our patients receive care from individuals who are well-versed in the latest standards and techniques. This investment in education directly aligns with our physician-owned structure. Unlike practices that may be driven by corporate priorities, our leadership makes decisions grounded in patient welfare and community benefit. When clinical staff are empowered to refine and expand their skill sets, they can respond more effectively to a range of eye health concerns, from basic vision checks to more complex procedures. This integrated approach to professional development ultimately allows us to better fulfill our mission of protecting, preserving, and restoring vision for those who walk through our doors.
Additionally, the advanced training and specialized knowledge gained through these certifications foster a culture of excellence and teamwork within our clinics. Whether it’s an OSC ensuring accurate patient records or a COMT assisting with intricate diagnostic tests, every step of the patient journey is touched by someone who has committed themselves to rigorous professional standards. This dedication does more than just improve individual patient encounters; it elevates the entire practice, creating an environment where continuous improvement is the norm, not the exception. Patients can see, firsthand, the difference when clinical staff are not only passionate about their work but also thoroughly trained and credentialed to support it.
At Illinois Eye Center, the patient experience begins the moment someone calls to schedule an appointment. From reception and preliminary assessments to in-depth examinations and surgical consultations, certified staff members make sure every detail is handled with competence and care. This level of attention is what sets us apart and exemplifies our pledge to put patient care at the center of everything we do. It also highlights the benefits of local physician ownership—when clinical and administrative decisions are made by those who are deeply invested in both the community and patient outcomes, the focus remains squarely on quality.
By encouraging our clinical staff to pursue higher-level certifications, we reaffirm our commitment to serving central Illinois with expert, compassionate eye care. No matter the concern, be it routine vision maintenance or a more complex medical condition, patients can rest assured that the team working alongside their ophthalmologist has received specialized training to address their needs. Through this collective expertise, Illinois Eye Center continues to advance our mission and remain a trusted partner for all who seek the best in ophthalmic services.