The profession of
optometry is regulated under the Province of Alberta Health
Professions Act and must comply with Chapter H 7, Part 3,
titled “Continuing Competence and Practice Visits”.
This chapter describes the process under which all regulated
professions must operate and, in part, describes the purpose
of the Continuing Competence Program as follows:
“…must provide for regulated members
to maintain competence and to enhance the provision of professional
services…”
“…provide for practice visits of the
regulated members.”
The purpose of the ACO Continuing Competence
Program is:
- To enhance and assess the knowledge, skill and judgment
of practicing
optometrists;
- To ensure each practitioner meets the prevailing Standards
of Practice required to provide appropriate vision care
to each patient, in accordance with the Health Professions
Act; and
- To set an expectation that each member will practice according
to the
Profession’s Code of Ethics.
The program is designed to work within the following criteria:
- To be honest and fair;
- To be accountable, and measurable;
- To be flexible, and non threatening; and
- To be educational, and contemporary.
The goal is that every optometrist will:
- Maintain the skills he/she needs to provide service to
the public;
- Continually enhance the quality of his/her practice; and
- Ensure his/her continuing educational development.
Participation by each member is compulsory and the review
process must be accountable, confidential and transparent.
The Competence Committee is responsible for the administration
of the Continuing Competence Program, including the member
practice visit, measuring the results, making recommendations
(remediation) to the member, providing feedback to the member
and the ACO Council, administering an appeal process, and
referral to the Complaints Director when deemed necessary.
> Continuing
Competence Program < |
