Profession Practice Standards
CHCPBC is pleased to share the new Standards of Practice for BC opticians!
These standards are enforced as of June 1, 2022.
What has changed? The standards have been completely re-written. This process has taken place over a period of close to two years, with consultation from opticians and other stakeholders across BC and Canada. The new standards are designed to be more accessible, more applicable, more measurable, and more inclusive.
What are they? A “standard” is the minimum level of performance and professional practice required of an optician to ensure service that is ethical and safe for the public. Standards exist to promote, guide, and direct professional practice. As an optician, you are required to know and adhere to the standards of your profession.
Starting in June, 2022, we will be showcasing a standard each month in our newsletter and in the Blog section of our website. We will provide case studies and scenarios to demonstrate how that standard might be operationalized in a real-life practice environment, and how grey areas might be addressed.
The standards will be highlighted out of order, prioritizing those areas where COBC registrants have indicated they need more education. However, remember that all of the new standards are enforceable starting June 1.
The full standards document can be accessed by clicking the image above, or at the link below. You may also access each individual standard at the corresponding link below – if a case study has been created for a particular standard, it will also be linked below:
- Standard 1: Client-Centred Practice
- Standard 2: Evidence-Informed Practice
- Standard 3: Collaborative Care
- Standard 4: Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism
- Standard 5: Competence
- Standard 6: Professionalism
- Standard 7: Safety and Infection Control)
- Standard 8: Dispensing of Vision Appliances
- Standard 9: Independent Automated Refraction
- Standard 10: Remote Practice and Technology
- Standard 11: Delegation and Supervision
- Standard 12: Privacy and Confidentiality
- Standard 13: Conflict of Interest
- Standard 14: Record Keeping and Billing
- Case Studies
- Record Keeping Checklist: Eyeglasses
- Record Keeping Checklist: Contact Lenses
- Record Keeping Checklist: Automated Refraction
- Standard 15: Communication and Marketing
- Standard 16: Risk Management and Quality Improvement
Contact our team if you require clarification on any of the standards. We are excited to have them in effect, and look forward to any feedback!
Professional Boundaries
Continuing Education
The legacy College, COBC was established under the Health Professions Act (HPA) in 1994 with a duty to serve and protect the public by regulating opticians, as well as to fulfill its responsibilities in the public interest.
The HPA required each health regulatory organization to develop and administer a quality assurance program. Quality assurance (QA) programming supports and promotes high practice standards amongst health practitioners and ensures that the public’s trust is well placed.
Opticians are entrusted by the public to provide safe, effective and ethical health care at all times throughout their careers. They meet entry-to-practice competencies when they are first registered and continue to meet various benchmarks and/or constructions of competence as they progress in their career, with the help of QA programming.
The legacy College, COBC transitioned its QA programming from a credit-based program to a new competency-based program. The new Continuing Competency Program (CCP) was launched in 2018, and fully implemented in 2020.
Continuing Competency Program
The Continuing Competency Program (CCP) is one of several quality assurance initiatives we’ve designed to promote quality practice for the public’s protection and to maintain their trust in BC opticians.
We’ve developed the CCP to provide opticians with the data they’ll need to better focus on their professional progress. It will also provide them with the tools needed to help them plan their growth through learning goals.
The competency-based CCP launched as the legacy College of Opticians of B.C new quality assurance program in 2018, replaced the credits-based system previously used. Opticians are no longer required to meet credit requirements. Instead, the new CCP will help opticians continue to be a competent professional by:
- Finding out which competencies opticians are exemplary in, are moderate in, or require development in.
- Creating a development learning plan to focus an optician’s professional development.
- Providing the opportunity for professional growth reflection.
The process is broken down into 4 steps:
1.Continuing Competency Assessment
At the start of each continuing competency cycle, opticians will complete an online assessment based on the National Competencies for Canadian Opticians. The online assessment generates a competency profile that highlights an optician’s strong competencies and areas for development. This competency profile will help opticians identify what they need to work on and help direct opticians to the appropriate activities to plan their professional growth in those areas.
- Develop Learning Goals with Plans
Opticians will work on at least 6 learning goals over their 3-year cycle, based on their competencies that need development. These goals will be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely), and will provide focus and direction for opticians throughout their cycle. Opticians will plan out which activities to participate in to achieve their learning goals and develop their competency.
- Achieving Learning Goals
Opticians will then follow through with their plan to achieve the goal they set out to achieve. Completing the activities as planned will determine whether the desired learning has been accomplished. Opticians will make their own choices and decisions regarding these activities, and what it might take to learn what they set out to, and how to put in into practice.
- Reflection
After completing their action plan, opticians will then reflect on how these activities helped to develop their skills and improve their practice. This step will allow opticians to think deeply about what they learned, or perhaps what they need to learn further, and how they might get there. At least 6 goals will need to be completed by the end of the cycle.
Opticians will be able to manage their continuing competency online through their registrant profile, including their assessment and their full learning plan, to track their progress and mark it complete when finished.
The new CCP will assure the public that their opticians are staying competent throughout their career.
Quality Assurance Program
Continuing Competency Program
The Continuing Competency Program (CCP) is one of several quality assurance initiatives we’ve designed to promote quality practice for the public’s protection and to maintain their trust in BC opticians.
We’ve developed the CCP to provide opticians with the data they’ll need to better focus on their professional progress. It will also provide them with the tools needed to help them plan their growth through learning goals.
The competency-based CCP launched as the legacy College of Opticians of B.C new quality assurance program in 2018, replaced the credits-based system previously used. Opticians are no longer required to meet credit requirements. Instead, the new CCP will help opticians continue to be a competent professional by:
- Finding out which competencies opticians are exemplary in, are moderate in, or require development in.
- Creating a development learning plan to focus an optician’s professional development.
- Providing the opportunity for professional growth reflection.
The process is broken down into 4 steps:
1.Continuing Competency Assessment
At the start of each continuing competency cycle, opticians will complete an online assessment based on the National Competencies for Canadian Opticians. The online assessment generates a competency profile that highlights an optician’s strong competencies and areas for development. This competency profile will help opticians identify what they need to work on and help direct opticians to the appropriate activities to plan their professional growth in those areas.
- Develop Learning Goals with Plans
Opticians will work on at least 6 learning goals over their 3-year cycle, based on their competencies that need development. These goals will be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely), and will provide focus and direction for opticians throughout their cycle. Opticians will plan out which activities to participate in to achieve their learning goals and develop their competency.
- Achieving Learning Goals
Opticians will then follow through with their plan to achieve the goal they set out to achieve. Completing the activities as planned will determine whether the desired learning has been accomplished. Opticians will make their own choices and decisions regarding these activities, and what it might take to learn what they set out to, and how to put in into practice.
- Reflection
After completing their action plan, opticians will then reflect on how these activities helped to develop their skills and improve their practice. This step will allow opticians to think deeply about what they learned, or perhaps what they need to learn further, and how they might get there. At least 6 goals will need to be completed by the end of the cycle.
Opticians will be able to manage their continuing competency online through their registrant profile, including their assessment and their full learning plan, to track their progress and mark it complete when finished.
The new CCP will assure the public that their opticians are staying competent throughout their career.
Independent Study Groups
In the credit-based continuing education process, some opticians joined up with other opticians to form study clubs. These clubs were pre-approved and assigned credits, allowing the opticians to use these learning sessions for their education requirements.
In the new Continuing Competency Program (CCP), these study clubs will continue to be an excellent way to promote continuous education while meeting education requirements for opticianry– organizing relevant topics and materials for learning and then gathering with colleagues to review and foster discussion to further develop one’s competencies.
Study Clubs & the CCP
With the CCP, you will no longer be accumulating credits, but your chosen activities for learning, like study clubs, may remain the same. The CCP process for study club participants entails the following:
1) You and your fellow study club members (who are on the CCP) will each first complete the assessment to determine which competencies you may need to address (this assessment is part of the CCP, and taken once per cycle).
2) Based on the results, your study club group can determine which competencies are a priority for everyone to address, and then set learning goals within the program on how to develop in those areas.
3) Determine what activities your study club can do together to achieve those learning goals, make a plan, and start learning!
Study clubs being organized within the new CCP will no longer need to seek approval from COBC in advance or need credits assigned. Participants can simply update their program online, and incorporate it into their plan.
Tips for Study Clubs, in the new CCP
- Ensure that the topic covered in your study club aligns with your goal.
Your assessment results will identify a competency you need to address, and you will create a specific goal to develop in that area. When choosing activities to study and discuss with your group, make sure the information covered in your study club aligns with that learning goal, so you are setting out to achieve the actual goal in your plan.
- Find others that have similar assessment results, as you may need to develop the same competency.
You may want to form study clubs with others based on your common goals. If you and your colleagues are working to develop the same competency, or have the same goal, a study club might be easier to arrange, and the materials more focused. You will also have partners to hold you accountable on achieving your shared goal!
- Talk to your co-workers about possible workplace needs or improvement ideas.
There are certain competencies that you may need to work on from your assessment, that might relate to improving the systems or policies in your workplace. If you find that others share an interest in this area, a study club can be created with a shared goal in mind, benefiting the entire workplace.
Reflecting on Study Club Learning
Once the study club sessions are over and you have achieved your goal, you will simply need to log back in to your program, summarize your learning, and submit your accomplishment. You can then move on to your next goal.
Online QA Management
Your study club details (including the topics for discussion, the timing of your meetings, any materials available, etc.) can all be self-managed online within the program. You will just add it to your plan at your own convenience, and take action. CHCPBC will be able to review the information and can provide feedback or answer questions if necessary.
With the CCP, study clubs will continue to be a valuable way to develop as an optician while meeting education requirements. When you have the chance to collaborate with other opticians, it can result in shared ideas about how to use the learned information and can provide much welcomed affirmation that you’re on the right track.
Please contact CHCPBC if you have any questions about study clubs, or need guidance with the new program through our contact us page.
Profession Specific Safety Procedures
Quality Assurance Guides
To help registrants better understand and fully utilize the Continuing Competency Program (CCP), we have developed the following materials to help further explain the program and offer some guidance:
The information Guide provides some background on quality assurance, and on the program specifically. It also goes into greater detail about the program requirements, and further explains each step of the process.
This FAQ document answers around 50 of the most common questions that registrants have about the CCP. Questions about starting the program, taking the assessment, creating learning goals, and completing the program are all covered here.
This how-to manual will provide step-by-step instructions on logging in to the program. It will also provide instructions on how to access and take the assessment, and find the results when completed.
This how-to manual will provide step-by-step instructions on how to complete your online learning plan. It will show you where to create goals and plans, how to add activities into your plans, and where to reflect on your learning.
This SMART Goal guide explains what a SMART goal is, and provides specific tips on creating proper goals. It also offers several examples of appropriate SMART goals, suggested formatting when creating goals, and a practice worksheet.
This worksheet can be used by registrants who wish to manually write out their goal and plan out their activities before adding them to their online program. The worksheet can also help registrants keep track of what they have planned, once they have added the information to their online program.
In addition to the materials above, we have also created a video which will walk you through all of the online steps required for the program:
Certified Practice Resources
Complaint Support Resources
Filing a complaint, or responding to a complaint can be difficult. CHCPBC has compiled mental health and legal resources for you, in case you need.
MENTAL HEALTH WEBSITES
- Health Link BC
A website with a mental health learning centre and mental health resource options. - BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions Wellbeing Navigation Site
A website to assist in selecting supports for mental health and substance use. - Kids Help Phone
A website with mental health resources and supports including a navigation tool, for youth. - Here to Help BC
A website with information you need to manage mental health and substance use problems, and learn how you can support a loved one. - Trans Lifeline
A trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive. - QMUNITY
BC’s Queer, Trans and Two-Spirit resource centre
PHONE NUMBERS
- Emergency Services: 911
- Health Information and Advice: 811
- Crisis Line B.C: 1-800-784-2433
- Seniors Distress Line: 604-872-1234
- Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366
ONLINE CHATS FOR MENTAL HEALTH
- BC Crisis Centre Chat Line Adults
- BC Crisis Centre Chat Line Youth
- The LifeLine App
Direct access to phone, online chat, text, and email crisis support
E-counselling, self-management tools, access to crisis centres across Canada
Available for iPhone and Android users
CULTURALLY RELEVANT SUPPORTS
- The KUU-US Crisis Line Society
A non-profit registered charity that provides 24 hour crisis services through education, prevention and intervention programs. BC-wide culturally relevant crisis support for Indigenous peoples.
ADULTS: 250-723-4050
YOUTH: 250-723-2040
TOLL FREE: 1-800-588-8717 - Hope for Wellness Helpline
Immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across what is now commonly called Canada. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer counselling and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat - Talk4Healing
A free and culturally safe help line for Indigenous women, based in northern Ontario, and accessible across what is now commonly called Canada. 1 855 554 HEAL (4325) - Healing In Colour
For Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC), finding a therapist who understands their lived experiences can be challenging. Healing in Colour strives to make that search easier. - The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line
Provides 24-hour crisis support to “Indian Residential School” survivors and their families. Call toll-free: 1-866-925-4419
LEGAL SUPPORT
- Legal aid
Provides free legal legal aid for BC residence. Call toll free: 1-866-577-2525 - Lawyer Referral Service
Helps British Columbians of any income find a suitable lawyer to serve their legal needs. Any member of the public may call the Lawyer Referral Service to obtain the contact information of a lawyer who will meet for a free half-hour legal consultation. Call toll free: 1-800-663-1919