Practicum: 35 hours/week (totaling 210 hours)
The student will be under the direct supervision of a licensed eyecare provider in a retail optical practice. They will participate as a member of the optical staff providing eyewear service to patients. Regular site visits and practical assessments will be conducted by the instructor.
Introduction
- assignment to optical supervisor
- supervisor objectives
- orientation with the supervising Optician
Application of theoretical and practical skills
- instrumentation
- lens dispensing
- frame dispensing
- product knowledge
- lens materials and functions
- frame materials and functions
Laboratory process
- edging and finishing
- insertion and alignment
- neutralization and verification
- repairing and soldering
- optical onsiderations as they may arise in
- high myopia and hyperopia
- strabismus in children
- special needs for presbyopia
- fitting anisometropia patients
- fitting aphakic patients
Application of communication skills
- interaction with patient
- professional and ethical behaviour
- telephone communication
- initiating contact
- appropriate questioning
- handling customer complaints
- written communication
- patient record-keeping
- laboratory order forms
- inventory ordering/receiving forms
Application of business skills
- record keeping
- patient files
- inventory tracking
- shipping/receiving
Communication and interaction with patients
- cultural safety and humility
- patient-provider relationships
- informed consent
- patient file documentation
- appropriate patient referral
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- demonstrate use of instruments, equipment and tools used in the process of eyeglass dispensing, surfacing, edging, plastic lens tinting and frame repair;
- demonstrate professional and ethical skills when communicating with patients, staff and others within the clinical setting;
- handle customer complaints;
- use appropriate interpersonal and written communication within the clinical setting;
- use appropriate documentation techniques for record keeping;
- use basic inventory control techniques as it relates to a small business;
- select frames for the patient based on face-shape criteria;
- incorporate cultural safety and humility in opticianry practices;
- discuss the history and ongoing effects of colonization on the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, including disparities of power in patient-provider relationships;
- identify situations where informed consent may be problematic and take appropriate steps to ensure patient understanding;
- demonstrate infection prevention and control measures established by jurisdiction and national regulatory bodies;
- recognize significant signs and symptoms in relation to the patient's eyes to identify the need for referral.
Assessment will be in accordance with the ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.
This is a Mastery course. Attendance is mandatory for successful completion of the course.
Consult the ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
Brooks and Borish, System for Ophthalmic Dispensing, current edition, Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier.