Continuing Education and Continuing Competency Made Easy
The Health Professsions Act requires each Health Regulatory Organization to develop and administer a Continuing Edcuation Program to assure the quality of the practice of the profession and to promote continuing competence among the members. Therefore, Continuing Education (CE) is required for all members of the Alberta Opticians Association, including both practicing and non-practicing registrants .
Below are important topics about the Quality Assurance Program:
Why Mandate Continuing Education?
Rapid changes in health care technology and research challenge the professional to constantly update and add to his/her expertise. Opticians need to be aware of new techniques and knowledge that may impact eye care or the services they render to clients. In addition, the public has a right to expect that registered health professionals continually demonstrate proficiency in their chosen field and are not relying on knowledge that was gained when they first entered the profession. The public rightfully expects the AOA to ensure all registrants are up-to-date. The government agrees with the public expectation and requires the AOA to make registration renewal contingent on the completion of new educational requirements.
For new members of the profession, being up to date is an easy task. New Opticians have recently spent several years learning the current information. Veteran Opticians, who have been practicing longer, need to make some effort to upgrade and learn new technologies and procedures. Please note, that while it takes some effort, CE is important. In addition, it is a government requirement, all professions have similar programs and all other Canadian Opticians follow a similar process.
List of Continuing Competency Programs
To help opticians complete the continuing education and competency mandate the College has initiated a three part program:
(1) Continuing EducationCredits
Each optician is required to complete a number of continuing education credits within a thirty-six month period (Three-Year Con-Ed Cycle). The number of credits varies for Registered Opticians and Registered Contact Lens Practitioners and, potentially, sight testers. A fuller description of the Continuing education program appears below
(2) Self-Assessment
Several years ago, the AOA initiated a continuing competency program. Currently this takes the form of a self-assessment of individual skills and the equipment and resources an optician has in place to enhance the delivery of services utilizing those skills.
(3) Practice Review
In the near future AOA will be conducting Practice Audits. On a random rotation, AOA auditors will visit the practices of Opticians. The review of the Optician's place of business is informal and usually consists of a review of client files, the equipment in the office and the hygienic controls in the client examination areas. The purpose of the review is remedial and it is designed to allow opticians to understand their obligations to the public. This is not to be considered a disciplinary action.
If you are selected for a Practice Review, use the opportunity to have all your questions answered by the inspector and ask advice on areas of concern. One note of caution: Auditors have the right to inspect all patient records and all equipment and materials used by the registrant. Do not obstruct the inspector. However, if you believe that your rights are being overridden, the inspector will usually make an appointment for another day and suggest that you seek legal advice before his/her return.
Specialist Requirements
Many Opticians have advanced practice training. The AOA recognizes the high level of skill of all Opticians and particularly those that have Contact Lens certification. The AOA anticipates that in the future more registrants will also be certified as sight testing Opticians. With more complex levels of practice comes an added responsibility to maintain competency. Those with extra qualifications will be required to complete additional continuing education in those fields. In short, those with advanced practice certification must gain a few more credits than those with a standard dispensing certification.
Should you have any questions about the Continuing Competency Program, please feel free to contact:
Kristina Glover
Alberta Opticians Association
(780) 429-2694
kglover@opticians.ab.ca