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Requirements for all registrants
Requirements for optometrists
Requirements for dispensing opticians
Requirements for contact lens opticians
Requirements for therapeutic specialist optometrists
Changes to CETOptics
Shortfall period
From the next cycle, starting in January 2013, there will be more specific requirements about how registrants obtain their 36 CET points.
The main change for registrants will be a requirement that all optometrists and contact lens opticians must participate in at least one formal case based discussion group per cycle. Therapeutic prescribing optometrists and contact lens opticians will be expected to discuss cases relating to their speciality area; optometrists can choose the type of cases for discussion.
These general principles will apply to ALL registrants from 1st January 2013:
1. Three-year cycle.
2. 36 general points requirement for all dispensing opticians and optometrists per cycle.
3. Expectation that registrants obtain at least six points per year
4. Number of points awarded will reflect the level of interaction required for each type of CET activity. For example, peer discussion and clinical skills CET will carry greater points than attendance at lectures or article based CET.
5. No automatic shortfall period. This will be replaced by a shortfall period only for those who have satisfied the Registrar that their CET failure was as a result of exceptional circumstances.
6. There will be a greater range of recognised learning methods including participation in lectures and discussion groups via the internet or video conferencing services.
7. Registrants will be expected to participate in at least one activity which involves peer interaction and provide a reflection statement linking the learning from the discussion to their own practice.
Requirements for optometrists
Optometrists must gain 36 general points which must include:
1.One point obtained in peer discussion activity involving patient records and decision making.
2. All of the optometry competency units, specifically:
• Communication
• Professional conduct
• Ocular examination
• Optical appliances
• Contact lens
• Ocular disease
• Assessment of visual function
• Assessment and management of binocular vision
One CET activity may cover more than one competency area. Registrants will not therefore be required to get a separate CET point for each of the competency units.
Requirements for dispensing opticians
Dispensing opticians must gain 36 general points which must include:
1. All of the dispensing competency units, specifically:
• Communication
• Professional conduct
• Ocular examination
• Optical appliances
• Contact lens
• Low vision
• Refractive management
• Ocular abnormalities
• Paediatric dispensing
One CET activity may cover more than one competency area. Registrants will not therefore be required to get a separate CET point for each of the competency units.
Requirements for contact lens opticians
Contact lens opticians must gain 36 general CET points which must include:
1. 18 of the 36 points must be obtained in contact lens specialist CET (gained at a rate of six per year).
2. One contact lens case-based discussion involving patient records and decision making competencies .
3. All of the dispensing competency units, specifically:
• Communication
• Professional conduct
• Ocular examination
• Optical appliances
• Contact lens
• Low vision
• Refractive management
• Ocular abnormalities
• Paediatric dispensing
Requirements for therapeutic specialist optometrists
Therapeutic specialist optometrists must gain 36 general points which must include:
1. One therapeutic case-based discussion group involving patient records and
decision making competencies
2. All of the optometry competency units, specifically:
• Communication
• Professional conduct
• Ocular examination
• Optical appliances
• Contact lens
• Ocular disease
• Assessment of visual function
• Assessment and management of binocular vision
Plus: 18 additional theraeputics specialty CET points (gained at a rate of six per year)
CETOptics will have enhanced functionality to include:
a) A progress bar will enable registrants to track which competencies have been covered by their CET activities and which still need to be met.
b) Facility to provide feedback on CET attended when accepting pending points.c) New features will allow registrants to record their participation in a peer discussion group, provide a reflection statement and link CET activity to their scope of practice.
Shortfall period
From the new cycle any registrant who fails to meet the CET requirements by the 31 December deadline will be automatically removed from the Registers. The shortfall period will only be available to registrants who are able to satisfy the Registrar that exceptional circumstances have prevented them from meeting the CET requirements.
If a registrant believes they have a genuine reason for not completing their CET by the deadline, they can apply to the Registrar to have their exceptional circumstances considered. Such applications should be made at the time of the circumstances occurring and not after the deadline has passed. If the Registrar is satisfied with the reasons given a registrant may be granted an additional period of time to make good any shortfall.