Optometrists – Resources

All registrants are required to comply with the Standards of Practice. The standards are written in plain language and span the full scope of optometric practice. Every registrant must determine – and accept accountability for – how each standard is implemented. The College provided Statements of Guidance to assist this process. The College views compliance with all standards as fundamental in the delivery of current, high quality optometric services that are safe, effective, and ethical. This in the joint interest of the public and the profession.

• Standards of Practice – General 
• Standards of Practice – Patient Activities 
• Standards of Practice – Quality Assurance

Canada

The Criminal Records Review Act (the “CRRA”) imposes an obligation on the College to ensure that every registrant consents to a criminal record check in accordance with Part 4 of the CRRA. This also includes non-practising registrants. Section 15(1)(a) of the CRRA imposes a duty on he registrant to undergo a criminal record check at least once every five years.

To complete a criminal record check online please follow the directions below; for more information please visit the Criminal Records Review Program – Walk Through.

1. Open the link: https://justice.gov.bc.ca/criminalrecordcheck.
2. To obtain the access code, please e-mail your request to the College office at  gro.cbpchc@ofni.
3. Click “Continue” after fully reading the Organization Information and Terms of Use.
4. Apply for a Criminal Record Check using your BC Services Card. If you do not have a BC Services Card, please contact the College office at  gro.cbpchc@ofni to obtain the manual submission form and instruction.
5. Proceed with the Criminal Record Check Application and Information Review. Click “Submit New CRC” then “Consent for Criminal Record Check”.
6. Continue with the payment using the “Internet Payments Program” section. Click “Payment Approved“.
7. The Criminal Record Check Receipt page appears next. Print or download the authorization receipt and provide a copy to the College office at gro.cbpchc@ofni

If you are unable to submit an online request, contact the College office immediately to assist you with a Manual Identification Verification (MIV) process.

1.  To obtain the manual consent form please email your request to the College office at gro.cbpchc@ofni
2. Ensure that the form is marked Schedule B
3. Ensure that the form is marked Works with children and vulnerable adults
4. Part 1, to be completed by the registrant
5. Part 2, to be completed by the College, please sign and date at the bottom of the Consent form.
6. Submit to the College along with a notarized copy of your primary and secondary ID
7. Please note that the criminal record review program will send out an email requesting payment to the email listed on the consent form.

United States

Complete the Nationwide Criminal Search (USA) – Consent Forms A & B, and submit to the College office with a copy of your US Social Security Number (SSN).

International

Arrange for your international criminal record check to be sent directly to the College office. If the criminal record check is sent directly to you, you must forward the document to the College office in its original sealed envelope. Opened or unsealed envelopes will not be accepted.

Button with link to log in into CSC/PEP Portal.

The Professional Enhancement Program was launched in January 2023. It is now available to all CHCPBC registrants through the PEP Portal.

The College’s core mandate is to ensure public safety. Quality assurance is one of the mechanisms by which the College supports registrants in effectively maintaining and evolving their professional competence so that the services they provide to the public are safe and effective, throughout their careers.

To further enable registrants to provide the highest standard of service to the public, the College has introduced a new aspect of quality assurance – the Professional Enhancement Program (PEP).

Based on the Career-Span Competence Approach and a core set of competencies, which align with CHCPBC Standards of Practice, the Professional Enhancement Program will enable registrants to better manage their on-going, career-long, professional development and rise above minimum standards to become “the best you can be”.

Overview – The Professional Enhancement Program

The College is a resource for registrants to become informed and educated for the purpose of enhancing standards of practice.

The overwhelming majority of complaints received by the College are the result of a failure or breakdown in communications between the patient and the optometrist or the clinic staff. Resolving complaints before they escalate is often a matter of employing “best practices” in communicating with the patient who has a concern or complaint. Concerns and complaints often present indicators which may be useful, to the optometrist, for evaluating a clinic’s overall communication skills. The following is a complaint resolution method, employing four basic steps, which should be followed in order:

Listen

Ask the complainant to present their concerns in detail. Start with the facts. When all the facts have been recounted, encourage the complainant to present their perspective on the issue. Avoid interrupting or taking issue with anything the complainant says at this point; simply allow the story to be told.

Acknowledge

Acknowledge the complainant’s perspective. “So, you feel that…” Build agreement at each step. When both the optometrist and the complainant agree on the complainant’s perspective, that is, why the complainant feels that they have a concern, consider validating the complainant’s perspective. “I understand why you feel the way you do about this matter. In similar circumstances I would feel the same.” This is not an acknowledgement of fact, it is an acknowledgement of perspective – the way the complainant feels about the issue as they understand it.

Review

Build agreement on the verifiable facts with the complainant. “My record indicates that… Is that your understanding?” Be mindful that what one person says or thinks they say to another person may not be what that other person understands they said. As a professional, it is your responsibility to ensure that your patient understands what you, or your staff, say to them.

Fair Resolution

If errors were made, admit them and apologize. Ask the right question. “How can we fairly resolve this matter to your satisfaction?“

• Continuing Education Record Manual Form
• Continuing Education Requirements
• How to Obtain Continuing Education Activity Approval

Topics:

• Registration & Jurisprudence Exam 
• Optometric Corporation
• How to Form an Optometric Corporation
• CPR Certification
• Continuing Education (CE)
• Special Levy
• MSP – Where do I begin?

Resources

• Open a New Place of Practice
• Change a Place of Practice Name
• Relocate a Place of Practice
• Cease to Practice at a Place of Practice
  • A Registrant who ceases to practice/closes a place of practice must:
    • Complete a Transfer of Records Containing Personal Information Form or complete a Declaration of Ownership of Records Form
    • Update online profile
    • Complete a Declaration of Transferring Controlling Interest From, if applicable.
    • Assuming Responsibilities

• Resources and Useful Publications

• Send a Notice of Student Internship Form to the College office.

The Professional Enhancement Program

The College’s core mandate is to ensure public safety. Quality assurance is one of the mechanisms by which the College supports registrants in effectively evolving their professional competence over their careers so that the services they provide to the public are safe and effective.

To further enable registrants to provide the highest level of service to the public, the College has introduced a new aspect of quality assurance – the Professional Enhancement Program (PEP).

Based on the Career-Span Competence Approach and a core set of competencies, which align with CDOBC Standards of Practice, the Professional Enhancement Program will enable registrants to better manage their on-going, career-long, professional development and rise above minimum standards to become “the best you can be”.

The Professional Enhancement Program was launched in January 2023.

• Professional Enhancement Program