1. Certified Patient Service Specialist (CPSS ®) Program
Elevate Your Staff to National Professional Status

2. Mission
To establish a national standard of excellence that recognizes and promotes the professionalism of staff in ophthalmology practices and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) by providing certification and continuing education focused on increasing the quality of patient care.

3. 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 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

4. 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

5. Practice Registration Process
Practice/ASC provides continued support to employees by offering continuing education opportunities 4.
Practice/ASC receives login information and
detailed instructions via within
one business day of registration 3.
Practice/ASC submits application and
one-time registration fee, as well as
any individual applicant fees for
each employee 2.
Practice/ASC makes commitment to
support program 1.

6. Certification Requirements
Staff Member…
Is a member of a participating medical practice or ASC.
Has at least one year of experience in a medical eye care practice or ASC.
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.

7. Employee Certification Process1.
Receives username and password with detailed instructions via after practice or ASC has registered and paid individual application fee 2.
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) 3. 4.
Employees are notified of official test results immediately upon completion of 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.

8. CPSS® for the ASC Certification Process
Applicants wanting to achieve CPSS for the ASC (CPSS-ASC) certification must complete the following steps:
Complete CPSS exam with a score of 80% or higher
Complete the five additional ASC study courses and achieve a score of 80% or higher on the course tests
Complete CPSS-ASC application and submit to BSM via or fax
Receive acknowledgement of CPSS-ASC status

9. Recertification Requirements
Applicant Must…
Reapply for certification every 3 years.
Document at least 15 hours of continuing education (with supervisor approval) in the year certification period.
Submit an application and recertification fee.
Note: If certification is not renewed on or before the expiration of certification, applicants will need to retake the CPSS® certification test.

10. Areas of Knowledge Patient Care HIPAA Customer Service
Insurance/Billing/
Coding
Patient Scheduling
Ophthalmic Facilities and Equipment
Anatomy and Physiology of
the Eye
Human Resources
Common Ophthalmic Diagnoses
Eye Exams/Triaging
Ocular Emergencies
Optional ASC Certification
OSHA

11. 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

12. Resources Available CPSS Recommended Study Guides (Intermediate):
Maximizing Practice Collections (4-part series) Triaging Ocular Emergencies Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye

13. CPSS-ASC Supplemental Courses
Resources Available
CPSS-ASC Supplemental Courses
Patient Safety in the ASC Advance Directives and Elder Abuse Patient Rights Infection Prevention and Medications in Ophthalmic ASC Common Ophthalmic Surgeries

14. 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

15. Elevate your ophthalmic staff to national professional status now!
Next Step
Make a commitment for your practice to join the exciting CPSS program.
Elevate your ophthalmic staff to
national professional status now!