Download Clinical Skills and Fellowship Program Application (PDF) | (WORD)
This program was developed for the membership of NORA to develop and support the highest level of clinical abilities and scientific knowledge in the field of Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation. This process leads to a Fellowship within NORA. It is not a certification process but rather a learning process to help the individual clinician develop deeper knowledge and understanding about Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation with a multi-disciplinary approach.
The NORA Clinical Skills and Fellowship Committees are dedicated to the original goals envisioned by Drs. William Ludlam O.D. and Thomas Politzer O.D. for a multi-level program to enhance the clinical skills and knowledge for those working in the field of rehabilitation. Upon completion of all three levels of the program, participants will be presented with the designation Fellow of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (FNORA).
Individuals may also choose to attend the live Clinical Skills Level I and Level II courses without enrolling in the NORA Fellowship program. These courses are invaluable for developing the foundation knowledge of Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation and consistently receive very high reviews from those who have attended.
NORA Fellowship Program Requirements
Candidates have a time frame of up to 5 to 10 years to complete all the following requirements:
Level 1
Self-study: review several core textbooks on Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation
Attend the live 2-day NORA Clinical Skills Curriculum Level 1 course
Complete the Clinical Skills Level 1 Open Book Essay Questions
Make a brief 10-minute PowerPoint presentation at the NORA pre-conference on an approved Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation or Brain Injury Topic
Level 2
Attend the live 2-day NORA Clinical Skills Curriculum Level 2 course
Write two Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation case reports (following the NORA Case Report Format)
Make a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation at the NORA pre-conference on one of your two case reports
Level 3:
Work with an assigned NORA mentor to select a case report (this may be one of the Level 2 case reports) , literature review, book chapter, or research that is suitable for publication
Write and submit the article to the NORA Fellowship Committee
Submit and publish the article in a peer-reviewed journal
Once all the steps are completed and approved by the NORA Fellowship Committee, the candidate will be awarded the Fellow of Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation (FNORA) at the NORA Annual Meeting.
NORA Clinical Skills Curriculum Courses
The Clinical Skills Curriculum Course is a two-day live workshop offered as a pre-conference event that is held each year immediately prior to the annual NORA Annual Meeting. The next Clinical Skills Curriculum courses will be held in Buffalo, New York on September 14 and 15, 2017 and the NORA Annual Meeting will be held on September 16 and 17, 2017.
There are two levels of Clinical Skills Curriculum: Level 1 and Level 2. Attendee who is new to the Clinical Skills Curriculum is recommended to register for Clinical Skills Curriculum Level 1. Those who have attended Clinical Skills Curriculum Level 1 are suggested to register for Clinical Skills Curriculum Level 2. Those who have attended Clinical Skills Curriculum Level 1 and 2 are encouraged to attend the Clinical Skills Advanced Course. All Clinical Skills Curriculum attendees are strongly recommended to attend the NORA Annual Meeting as well.
Clinical Skills Level 1 is typically taught by a Neuro-Optometrist, an Occupational Therapist and a Physical Therapist. Clinical Skills Level 2 is currently taught by 2 to 3 Neuro-Optometrists, an Occupational Therapist, and/or a rehabilitation professional. The Clinical Skills Instructors bring together many years of experience of Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation.
Registration flyer and information are usually available approximately 3 to 5 months prior to the NORA meeting. Please check the NORA website at www.nora.cc
The fees for the Clinical Skills Courses will be listed on the registration flyer once it becomes available. Please note that the fees to attend the Clinical Skills Curriculum Courses are separate from the NORA Fellowship Program application fee and/or the NORA Annual Meeting Registration fees.
Since the Clinical Skills Curriculum Courses are also part of the requirements of the NORA Fellowship Program, anyone who wants to pursue the NORA Fellowship Program is recommended to start by attending the Clinical Skills Curriculum Course Level I.
To begin the NORA Fellowship Program:
1. Be a member in good standing with NORA and remain current on dues during the entire process. (If you have not already done so, join NORA as a member by visiting www.nora.cc and select PROFESSIONAL and then JOIN NORA and complete the online application. If you have already joined NORA as a member in previous year(s) but have not renewed your membership yet, please go to www.nora.cc and log in as a member and click on RENEW MY MEMBERSHIP)
2. Complete the FNORA application form (available by clicking on the CLINICAL SKILLS/FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM at www.nora.cc) and NORA Fellowship Application and follow the instruction to pay the application fees
If you have any questions about the NORA Fellowship Program, please contact:
Dr. Derek Tong, OD, FAAO, FCOVD, FNORA
NORA Fellowship Committee Chair