Illinois Vision Screening

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

For my Illinois nurses--can you tell me what equipment you use for your vision screenings? I'm wanting to get certified to do the screenings myself, and our school doesn't have the equipment for me to do the certification process. The equipment guidelines I was given weren't specific enough for me to know what I need.

[jess11RN]

Short answer to your question, I use the Titmus II. It's old, but it does the job.

I would email Nancy Katz [email protected] and see what she suggests. Or you can call the office [phone].

You may need to borrow someone's equipment to go through the certification processes, but you'll need your own equipment to be able to screen kiddos once you are certified. Once you submit your application and your date is approved by IDPH, you'll get more information than you'll ever want to know.

Also, what about hearing? Do you have a machine for that? You'll need to do both hearing and vision certification at the same time.

[kidzcare]

I am in IL and certified to do vision and hearing screenings. For the training, you will need an audiometer (this is the one we have)

You will also need a vision screener. We have the much older version of these http://www.southpointesurgical.com/vision_screener_titmus_V2.aspx

I also have an HOTV for preK kids and other students who cannot be conditioned to use a vision screener that they have to look into. We also just got a Plusoptix but Illinois won't accept those screens on the conservation report.

[kidzcare]

I would also like to note that I think having to get certified is a joke. I could easily teach any nurse how to do this simple screenings in 5 minutes. But then how will the state get more and more money every time we all need to renew???

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

9 minutes ago, jess11RN said:

Short answer to your question, I use the Titmus II. It's old, but it does the job.

I would email Nancy Katz [email protected] and see what she suggests. Or you can call the office [phone].

You may need to borrow someone's equipment to go through the certification processes, but you'll need your own equipment to be able to screen kiddos once you are certified. Once you submit your application and your date is approved by IDPH, you'll get more information than you'll ever want to know.

Also, what about hearing? Do you have a machine for that? You'll need to do both hearing and vision certification at the same time.

Thanks. For hearing it was a little more straight forward in the wording & I think I found what I'll need.

[jess11RN]

15 minutes ago, kidzcare said:

I would also like to note that I think having to get certified is a joke. I could easily teach any nurse how to do this simple screenings in 5 minutes. But then how will the state get more and more money every time we all need to renew???

YES! It's all about the $$$. Such a ridiculous 6 day process for something that could EASILY be covered in 1!!! I'm glad re-cert is only a test (and more money).

[CanIcallmymom, BSN, RN]

3 hours ago, jess11RN said:

YES! It's all about the $$$. Such a ridiculous 6 day process for something that could EASILY be covered in 1!!! I'm glad re-cert is only a test (and more money).

My recert in TX was another "all day" class scheduled from 9-4 and a test. However, the instructor had us done and tested/recertified by 12:30. I enjoyed a half day off. Ours was completely free, they didn't even charge the district as far as I know. I'm not sure how that works though. This was the first time I've recertified, and my original certification was one of our nursing school skills tests 5 years ago. That's cool that yours is just a test! And I agree that any current nurse could easily teach it quickly.

[CanIcallmymom, BSN, RN]

3 hours ago, jess11RN said:

YES! It's all about the $$$. Such a ridiculous 6 day process for something that could EASILY be covered in 1!!! I'm glad re-cert is only a test (and more money).

Wait... 6 days?

[kidzcare]

3 minutes ago, CanIcallmymom said:

Wait... 6 days?

In Illinois, it's 3 days of training for vision screening and 3 days of training for hearing screening.

Mine were a month a part and one was during a major snowstorm!

[CanIcallmymom, BSN, RN]

12 minutes ago, kidzcare said:

In Illinois, it's 3 days of training for vision screening and 3 days of training for hearing screening.

Mine were a month a part and one was during a major snowstorm!

Oh my gosh, that is INSANE!