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What is the Australian Orthoptic Board?
The Australian Orthoptic Board is the registration
body for orthoptists in Australia. The function of the registration
board is to regulate the profession of orthoptics in order to protect
the public. The Board holds a Register
of suitably qualified orthoptists and investigates the professional
conduct and fitness to practise of registered orthoptists. Registration
is biennial and must be renewed every two years.
Who can be registered?
Graduates of specified Australian undergraduate
degree programs in orthoptics are eligible to be registered
with the Australian Orthoptic Board. Currently recognised degree
programs are offered by The
University of Sydney (NSW) and by La
Trobe University (Victoria).
Graduates in the current biennium of Australian
orthoptic degree programs may apply for registration before a degree
has been conferred. A certified university transcript of final
results stating qualification for admission to the bachelor degree
must be provided. A legally certified copy of the applicant's
degree is required after conferral and within 12 months of registration.
Registration will not be renewed without a certified copy of the
degree.
Orthoptists who have qualified in a country other
than Australia are required to submit their qualifications and
supplementary evidence to the Australian Orthoptic Board for assessment.
Such registration is not automatic and may require further examination.
Refer to International Registration.
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When can I register?
The Australian Orthoptic Board has a two-year registration
structure. The current registration period is from 1 July 2009 until
30 June 2011.
Suitably qualified orthoptists can apply for registration
at any time by completing an application (see below). It
is the responsibility of the orthoptist to initiate and maintain
registration. Please allow up to six weeks for the registration
process.
The full registration fee is payable regardless
of when application is made during the biennial cycle. There is
no provision for pro rata or part payment of registration.
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Apply - how do I register?
2009-2011 application form: Download an application
for biennial registration here.
(Please don't use an old form - you may have to do it again!).
Fill in the application form, sign and return:
- the application form;
- a certified copy of your orthoptic
degree - must be signed by an authorised
person as a true copy of the original (see below).
Application before a degree has been conferred must include a
certified university transcript of final results showing admission
to the bachelor degree
- a copy of any change of name document eg
a marriage certificate if the name on your qualification is different
to that on the application.
An invoice for registration until 30 June
2011 will be sent on request or on receipt of your application.
The full registration fee of $165 is payable regardless of when
application is made during the biennial cycle.
Each of these documents (certified as required)
and full payment must be received before registration can be issued.
Certified copy of qualifications
A photocopy of your degree must be legally certified.
That is, the copy must have a statement written/stamped on the front
such as "I, _______ [insert name of authorised witness],
________ [insert occupation], hereby certify that this is
a true and complete copy of the original certificate". The
copy must be signed and dated by the authorised
witness, most likely a doctor in your workplace, or any other
person from the authorised witness list (eg pharmacist, teacher)
who is not related to you.
It is the responsibility of the orthoptist to initiate
and maintain registration. Registrants who have not renewed by 30
September will be removed from the Register. Restoration of name
to the Register will require an application and fee fixed by the
Board.
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How does the Board ensure
standards of practice?
The Australian Orthoptic Board was established to
protect the interests of orthoptic patients by
ensuring:
- the fitness to practise of
registered orthoptists,
- that registered orthoptists
are appropriately qualified, and
- maintain up to date clinical
skills and knowledge.
The Australian Orthoptic
Board accredits the orthoptic training programs in Australia and
assesses the suitability of overseas qualified orthoptists for practice
in Australia.
The Australian Orthoptic Board also provides a mechanism
for complaints (and subsequent disciplinary action, if appropriate)
that can be initiated by patients who believe an orthoptist has
been negligent in management or where an orthoptist does not maintain
appropriate ethical standards of practice or is found incompetent
in practice.
While registration is not compulsory to practise,
orthoptists are encouraged to register
with the Board and to participate in the Continuing Professional
Development program (CPD) to gain credit towards a Certificate of
Currency. The Board assesses professional continuing development
activities submitted for accreditation.
A Certificate of Currency is accepted by a number
of health funds to qualify for a provider number for private health
rebates.
Registration must be re-applied for every two years.
A registered orthoptist is eligible to submit a CPD claim and a
Certificate of Currency will be awarded if sufficient points have
been accrued.
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Why
is registration necessary?
There is no legislation requiring orthoptists to
be registered to work in Australia but many employers and most public
hospitals will ask for registration with the Australian Orthoptic
Board (AOB) as a condition of employment.
Orthoptists and Prescribing in NSW, VIC and SA
- Legislation
Three state governments have passed legislation
that allows orthoptists REGISTERED with the Australian Orthoptic
Board to refract and prescribe lenses (not contact lenses).
Legislation is different in each state and
should be checked for the state in which you work. As not all orthoptists
are registered with the Australian Orthoptic Board, it is important
that ophthalmologists only refer patients to orthoptists who are
legally allowed to prescribe.
Source: RANZCO
Sonography: The Health Insurance Commissison
in association with the Australasian Sonographers Accreditation
Registry (ASAR) introduced
in 2002 a program of accreditation and continuing professional development
for sonographers. The ASAR recognises registration with the Australian
Orthoptic Board as appropriate accreditation for orthoptists to
undertake sonography in relation to ocular structures.
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Why
is continuing professional development necessary?
AOB Registration and Certificate of Currency indicates
to employers, health insurers and patients that you are an appropriately
qualified and up-to-date practising orthoptist. The Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) program issues a Certificate of Currency which
is a statement that the holder:
- has maintained professional knowledge,
- has up-to-date practising skills, and
- provides the highest quality care for patients/clients.
Orthoptists and Private
Health Insurances Accreditation Rules effective 1 July 2009:
Changes in the Private Health Insurance Act 2007 require a practitioner
to be recognized by an accredited body before a Private Health Fund
can give a rebate to patients. Orthoptists are covered under a new
rule to this Act - Rule 10 which came into force on 1st July
2009.
Medibank Private has acknowledged the Australian
Orthoptic Board as the suitable body to accredit Orthoptists; Registrants
who hold a CPD Certificate of Currency are eligible for a health
provider number from Medibank Private.
All Private Health Insurers are bound by this legislation
and are likely to follow this lead and request verification of registration
and a Certificate of Currency from the Board before a provider number
will be issued to Orthoptists.
How do I apply for a Certificate of Currency?
A registered orthoptist submits a CPD
Claim record of the continuing development activities undertaken
in the previous two year cycle. If sufficient CPD points have been
accrued a Certificate of Currency
will be issued.
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Can an orthoptist
be de-registered?
Yes. Incidences of unprofessional conduct, or health
issues, which impair an orthoptist's ability to safely perform their
work, can be reported to the Board. In such cases the Board must
investigate the report and may recommend the issue go to an informal
or formal hearing of the Board. Registration of the orthoptist concerned
may be suspended until the hearing is complete and if the complaint
is substantiated the orthoptist may be struck from the register
or asked to complete specific education requirements or modify their
practice. Refer to the Regulations
of the AOB.
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What is the difference between
the AOB and the OAA?
The Orthoptic Association of Australia Inc (OAA)
is the professional body representing orthoptists.
The purpose of the registration board (AOB) is to
protect the public by ensuring all registered orthoptists are competent
to practise and provide a mechanism to receive and investigate complaints
in relation to professional conduct.
The purpose of the OAA is to support and encourage
members of the orthoptic profession to maintain their high standards
of practice and to develop the orthoptic profession.
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