Optometrists – Practice 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 (PDF)
• Standards of Practice – Patient Activities (PDF)
• Standards of Practice – Quality Assurance (PDF)
• Standards of Practice – Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility, and Anti-racism (PDF)

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 the registrant to undergo a criminal record check at least once every five years.

For more details please visit the BC Government page: Criminal Records Review Program – Applicants.

The Professional Enhancement Program (PEP) 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 PEP.

Based on the Career-Span Competence Approach and a core set of competencies, which align with CHCPBC Standards of Practice, the PEP enables registrants to better manage their ongoing, career-long, professional development and rise above minimum standards.

Read the Professional Enhancement Program overview (PDF)

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 Form (PDF)
• Standards for Quality Assurance (PDF)
• How to Obtain Continuing Education Activity Approval (PDF)

Resources

• Open a New Place of Practice (PDF)
• Change a Place of Practice Name (PDF)
• Relocate a Place of Practice (PDF)
• 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 (PDF) or complete a Declaration of Ownership of Records Form (PDF)
    • Update online profile
    • Complete a Declaration of Transferring Controlling Interest Form (PDF), if applicable.
    • Assuming Responsibilities (PDF)

• MSP Where Do I Begin (PDF)
• MSP – Information for Optometrists
• MSP Practitioner Registration Form (PDF)
• Request To Bill MSP For Low Vision Visual Fields Services (PDF)

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