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Registration - Frequently Asked Questions
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ELIGIBILITY FOR REGISTRATION:
Who can be registered?
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Graduates of specified Australian undergraduate degree programs
in orthoptics are eligible for registration with the Australian
Orthoptic Board. Currently recognised degree programs are offered
by The
University of Sydney (NSW) and by La
Trobe University (Victoria).
Registration is independent of the CPE program and Certificate
of Currency. Even though participation in the CPE program is encouraged
it is not mandatory at this time.
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Australian qualified orthoptists:
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To apply for registration download
the application and return:
1. the application form
2. a copy of your orthoptic degree certificate signed as a true
copy of the original by an authorised
person, and
3. payment - cheque, money order or direct deposit receipt.
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Overseas trained orthoptists:
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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.
You will need to supply detailed information about your qualifications
as the Board needs to map the competencies you have from your current
qualifications against those required for registration in Australia.
Currently recognised degree programs are offered by The University
of Sydney (NSW) and by La Trobe University (Victoria).
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APPLYING FOR REGISTRATION:
When and how do I apply for Registration? |
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.
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QUALIFICATIONS:
I know that orthoptists are not required to be registered but do
they still need to have formal qualifications to practice?
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Whilst orthoptists do not have legislated registration in Australia
the public hospital sector, many private ophthalmology clinics and
specialist rehabilitation agencies amongst other employing groups
do require orthoptists to be registered with the Australian Orthoptic
Board. This trend is increasing with the increased demands on practice
and hospital accreditation.
Orthoptists are required to undertake a 3.5 - 4 year undergraduate
degree or graduate entry masters degree to qualify for practice,
the courses are required to be accredited by the Australian Orthoptic
Board for recognition for registration.
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QUALIFICATIONS:
Is a receptionist in an optometrist's practice allowed to perform
duties such as insertion of contact lenses and checking of eye pressure
for glaucoma and other eye tests if they are not an orthoptist? |
There is no legislation to prevent a receptionist from undertaking
the duties you outline, however the practitioner is taking a large
risk in using unqualified personnel performing testing procedures
without appropriate knowledge of the processes they a testing for
or full understanding of the testing procedures and interpretation
of results.
Anyone in this situation would be well advised to carry indemnity
insurance as they can be personally sued along with their employer
in the case of error.
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RECOGNITION FOR PRIOR LEARNING:
I am an overseas trained Optometrist currently living in Australia.
I would like to know whether I can ask for recognition for prior
learning in order to be able to work as an Orthoptist here.
In my country, to obtain the title as a Professional Optometrist
we have to study for 5 years. We study not only Refraction, Contact
Lenses, etc, but also Orthoptics, Low Vision, Visual Fields etc.
So in my country a person who works as an Orthoptist is qualified
as an Optometrist. I understand that in Australia it is different.
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To be recognised in Australia as an orthoptist you will need to
apply to the Australian Orthoptic Board, the body that registers
orthoptists and considers overseas qualifications. Information about
applying for registration as an orthoptist is available from this
web site.
You will need to supply detailed information about your qualifications
as the Board needs to map the competencies you have from your current
qualifications against those required for registration in Australia.
Currently recognised degree programs are offered by The University
of Sydney (NSW) and by La Trobe University (Victoria).
You may be required to sit an examination, do further study or
perhaps work under supervision for a specified period. The Board
will make those decisions.
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PARTICIPATION IN CPE PROGRAM:
Do I have to participate in Continuing Professional Education
activities to be registered?
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No, participation in the Continuing Professional Education program
is voluntary. It is in addition to AOB Registration and is not
a mandatory requirement of registration. If you choose not to participate
in the CPE program there is no penalty and no exemption is required.
A Certificate of Currency indicates to employers, the public and
other professional bodies that you have kept up to date with professional
education and undertaken activities in the previous two years.
A Certificate of Currency is awarded to orthoptists who accrue
the prescribed number of CPE points in the biennium preceding re-registration.
The CPE program can be taken up at any time. To qualify for a Certificate
of Currency in 2009 sufficient points must be acquired in the current
biennium, that is 50 points gained between 1 July 2007 and 30 June
2009. There is no requirement that points be accumulated across
the entire two year period.
If you choose to undertake continuing education, download the CPE
Claim form, list your CPE accredited activities and submit it
with your registration renewal due on 1st July 2009.
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ASAR:
Should I be registered to perform B scan ultrasonography?
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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.
Orthoptists wishing to be included on the ASAR Membership Register
to perform B scan ultrasonography should download the Request
for Information collected by the AOB on behalf of the ASAR and
return with a payment of $20 for two years made payable to the ASAR.
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RECENT GRADUATES:
I've finished my course but don't have my degree yet. Can I apply
to be registered now?
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Yes. Recent graduates of Australian undergraduate
orthoptic degree programs may apply before a degree has been conferred
and will be considered:
a) if a legally certified copy of the student's academic
transcript stating that the applicant has successfully completed
the degree course is enclosed with the application; or
b) after written 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.
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11-Sep-2008
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