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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
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).
Recent graduates of Australian undergraduate
orthoptic degree programs may apply before a degree has been conferred
and will be considered after notification to the AOB by the university
that the degree program has been successfully completed and that
the applicant is eligible for admission to the Degree. A legally
certified copy of the applicant's degree is required immediately
after conferral and within 12 months of registration. Registration
will not be renewed if a copy of the certificate is not provided.
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.
When can I register?
Suitably qualified orthoptists can apply for registration
at any time. An application and payment information can be downloaded
here.
It is the responsibility of the orthoptist to initiate and maintain
registration. Please allow up to six weeks for the registration
process.
The Australian Orthoptic Board adopted a two-year
registration structure. The current Registration period is from
1st July 2007 until 30th June 2009.
The full registration fee (currently AU$162) is
payable regardless of when application is made during the biennial
cycle. There is no provision for pro rata or part payment of registration.
Apply - how do I register?
2007-09 application and payment 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 copy of your orthoptic degree 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; and
- payment of AU$162 for registration until
30 June 2009 - cheque, money order or direct deposit receipt.
Pro-rata payment is not available.
(The AOB does not have credit card or BPay payment facilities.
Payment can be made by internet bank transfer or direct deposit
to the AOB's bank account at any CBA branch. Account information
is on the payment form.)
Each of these documents (certified as required)
and full payment must be received before your application can be
considered.
All registrations are due for renewal biennially
on 1st July. The full registration fee is payable regardless of
when application is made during the biennial cycle.
Registration is independent of the Continuing Professional
Education program. Participation in the CPE program toward a Certificate
of Currency is encouraged but is not mandatory at this time.
Certified copy of qualifications
A photocopy of your degree certificate must be 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).
It is the responsibility of the orthoptist to initiate
and maintain registration. If you fail to renew your registration
by the due date, you will be held registered until 30 September
of the renewal year. A late fee is payable in addition to your registration
fee after 31 August.
If registration has not been renewed by 30 September,
your name will be removed from the AOB's Register.
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
Education program (CPE) to gain credit towards a Certificate of
Currency. The Board assesses professional continuing education activities
submitted for accreditation.
Registration must be re-applied for every two years.
On re-registration an orthoptist is eligible to submit a CPE claim
and a Certificate of Currency will be awarded if sufficient points
have been accrued.
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.
The NSW government has passed
legislation that allows orthoptists Registered with the Australian
Orthoptic Board to refract and prescribe lenses but only for persons
who:
- have had, within the previous six months, an
ocular health examination conducted by an optometrist or a registered
medical practitioner practising as an ophthalmologist; and
- have been referred in writing by the optometrist
or medical practitioner.
Source: RANZCO website
Legislation is different in each state and should
be checked for the state in which you work.
Sonography: The Health Insurance Commissison
in association with the Australasian Sonographers Accreditation
Registry (ASAR) introduced in 2002 a program of accreditation and
continuing professional education for sonographers. The ASAR recognises
registration with the Australian Orthoptic Board as appropriate
accreditation for orthoptists to undertake sonography in relation
to ocular structures.
Why
is continuing professional education necessary?
AOB Registration and Certificate of Currency indicate
to employers, health insurance companies and patients that you are
an appropriately qualified and up-to-date practising orthoptist.
Qualified orthoptists can be registered without participating
in Continuing Professional Education, but all registered orthoptists
are encouraged to do so as a CPE Certificate of Currency 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.
On re-registration at the completion of a two-year
cycle a registered orthoptist is eligible to submit a record of
the continuing education activities undertaken in the previous two
year cycle. If sufficient continuing professional education points
have been accrued a Certificate
of Currency will be issued.
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.
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 develop the orthoptic profession.
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