Standard of Practice

THE DISPENSING OPTICIANS BOARD OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

Opticians, as health care professionals, play an important role in helping clients/patients maintain ophthalmic care and safeguard the public interest.

Opticians are obligated to supply patients with eyeglasses or contact lenses manufactured according to acceptable industry standards and fitted professionally, based on a prescription from an authorized prescriber. When making a determination of the final product, Opticians also give consideration to aesthetics, patient requirements and preferences, inform patients about warranties (written or implied) and quote an all-inclusive price for the product at the time the purchase is made.

At all times, Opticians must maintain the high professional and ethical Standards of Practice [SOP] established in the public interest, recognizing that these standards are designed to protect the public from harm.

SCOPE OF PRACTICE:

The functions that are within the current scope of practice for registered licensed opticians and contact lens fitters include:

• Interpreting a prescription for,
• Evaluating or advising a person in respect of, or
• Measuring, preparing, providing, verifying, fitting, adjusting, adapting, or duplicating optical appliance devices for subnormal vision, eyeglasses or contact lenses for the relief or correction of any visual or muscular error or defect of the eyes.

Responsibilities only licensed Registered Opticians and Contact Lens Fitters can perform:

• Interpreting a prescription
• Evaluating or advising a person in respect of, or
• Preparing the final design of eyeglasses and contact lenses
• Providing, verifying, measuring, fitting, adjusting, adapting, or duplicating devices for subnormal vision, eyeglasses, or contact lenses / follow-up care
• Dispensing and adapting the finished product to the client after any modification and/or repair of the product
• Supervise student Opticians and student Contact Lens Fitters
• Supervision of an optical and activities conducted during regular hours of operation

Responsibilities that can be performed by non-licensed persons:

• Sale of non-prescription products including accessories
• Reception and general office duties
• Fashion consulting
• Dissemination of published product information
• Laboratory work including fabrication and repair
• Financial transactions

Non-licensed staff may wear a name badge identifying their status in the optical [example: laboratory technician].

The Board may request that optical dispensaries provide photographic confirmation of the required equipment and that Optical outlets may be subject to inspection by a member or officer of the Board.

All Optical outlets must have a licensed Registered Optician who is in full time supervision of the optical dispensing portion of the optical business. All licensed Registered Opticians are required to have their Professional Liability Insurance [PLI] in effect when servicing clients.

Hours of operation of the optical outlet would be determined by the owner/manager. Under no circumstance will an optical be opened to the general public without the proper authorized staff on duty.