Student Handbook 2020 / 2021 - Alberta College and ...
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Student Handbook 2020 / 2021
A WARM WELCOME!
Welcome to the NAIT Optical Sciences Program or the SAIT Vision Care Sciences Program
from the ACAO and its Council. Our sincere congratulations on a great choice of profession.
Registered Opticians are regulated health professionals in Alberta, and valuable
contributors to vision and health care. We know you will take pride in your profession,
and we look to you as our future leaders.
These are exciting times!
Yours Sincerely,
Jennifer Bertrand
Executive Director & Registrar
WHATS INSIDE
A Warm Welcome 2
What is the ACAO 3
The ACAO Regulatory Body 3
Training and Education 4
Field Supervision 4
After Graduation 5
The NACOR Exam 5
Registered Opticians 6
ACAO Fees 6
Quality Assurance 7
Important Contact Information 7
ACAO Contact 8
2WHAT IS THE ACAO?
What we do for our members….
The Alberta College and Association of Alberta (ACAO) is the regulatory Body and Association for
Opticians in Alberta.
We work with our regulated members to protect the public under the Health Professions Act. We provide
advocacy on behalf of licensed Opticians in Alberta, and ensure that Opticians are licensed, following the
rules and regulations of the profession, and are meeting Quality Assurance Program requirements.
What we do for students…
We are a resource for students. If you need a mentor, contact us; we are here to help you succeed. As a
NAIT student, you will also start receiving copies of our electronic newsletter, which contains a student
section. You will also have access to our printed quarterly newsletter, the Eight Line, which is posted on
our website. Remember to update us with changes to your contact information so that you will continue
to receive this valuable information.
You can visit our website and view past newsletters at your leisure: www.acao.ca
THE ACAO IS A REGULATORY BODY
We work under the Health Professions Act…
A regulatory body exists to register and monitor health care practitioners, in this case, Opticians. In
Alberta, Opticians are regulated with the ACAO. The College receives its authority from the Government
of Alberta via the Health Professions Act.
Our promise to the public…
Our job is to maintain standards and ensure protection of the public. When some one uses the services of
those registered with the ACAO, they trust that they will be receiving a certain quality of service and level
of care that our registrants have been trained to give. The public can be sure that the health and safety
of their eyes are being protected by Registered Opticians, because the ACAO only licenses those who
have met the initial requirements and continue to expand their education through the Quality Assurance
Program.
The role of the ACAO…
• Ensure the competence of members is maintained
• Protect the public from unsafe or unethical Opticianry practise
• Protect the use of regulated title designations and initials; RO, RCLP
• Review the professional conduct of members based on complaints and discipline if appropriate
3TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Across the provinces…
As with other health professions, Opticians must be able to demonstrate that they are qualified for the
profession and not a risk to the public. The regulatory agencies of each province are responsible for
deciding individually what the education requirements for Opticianry will be. Currently, all provinces in
Canada, except for Quebec, use the National Competencies for Canadian Opticians, 3rd Edition, which
may be found on the NACOR website at www.nacor.ca
The NAIT program…
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Optical Sciences program provides training and
education for Opticians in Alberta and is used as a distance learning delivery option for training Opticians
in all other Provinces in Canada. The NAIT Optical Sciences program is “blended” in Alberta because it
offers courses through distance delivery and in classroom setting. Students of this program will learn
while employed full time and attend labs that are offered periodically by NAIT to enhance their skills.
The SAIT program…
The Optician program at SAIT is two years in length and trains students to be in the forefront of eye care
practice, working as part of a multi-disciplinary vision care team. Students will study ocular pathology,
refracting and pharmacology, as well as business and retail aspects of the profession. Application of the
theory will be demonstrated through clinical competencies focusing on refraction, filling eyeglass and
contact lens prescriptions, ensuring a proper fit, and determining clients’ eyewear needs. These skills,
along with business and retail skills, will be practiced and demonstrated in a dynamic, patient-centered
environment.
PRACTICUM SUPERVISORS & FIELD SUPERVISION
About practicum supervisors...
Each student i must have a practicum supervisor that they work under at all times. A practicum
supervisor can be a qualified Optician, Optometrist, or Ophthalmologist.
About field supervision…
Field Supervision was set up to ensure that students and supervisors would know how to fully benefit
from the practicum portion of your program.
Talking to students and practicum supervisors…
Field Supervisors will touch base with students, wither by phone or in person, once or twice in their
study year. These conferences are to ensure that students understand what is expected of them, and
know what resources are available. This also offers a chance for the students to ask questions and get
clarification on issues as they arise. The Field Supervisor will also ensure that the practicum supervisor is
equally aware of what is expected, and what it means to sign the practicum contract with a student.
4AFTER GRADUATION
Be prepared…
Upon completion of your program, you will be provided with the information on how to register as
Provisional with ACAO. There are fees associated with registering as Provisional, and to take the NACOR
National Licensing exam. Don’t get caught off guard, be prepared for these fees so that you can complete
your training and being working in your chosen health profession as a Registered Optician.
A Provisional Optician is…
A Provisional Optician is some one who has completed the training requirements to become an Optician,
but who has not yet successfully completed the National Licensing exam (NACOR). The category of
Provisional was created to ensure that you are regulated, and may continue to work in your field, during
the span of time between the end of classes and the completion of the NAOR exam.
You will be required to register with the ACAO as a Provisional Optician or Provisional Contact Lens
Practitioner as soon as you complete your training.
You need a supervisor…
Even though you have completed your training and are registering with the college as a Provisional
Optician, or Provisional Contact Lens Practitioner, you still need to be supervised by a licensed Optician,
Optometrist or Ophthalmologist until you complete your NACOR National Licensing Sxam. Student
supervisors are managed by NAIT, but supervisors of Provisional Opticians are managed by ACAO. Until
you successfully complete your NACOR exam, your supervisor must be on hand and available to guide you
and offer expertise whenever you are working and you must ensure your supervisor is on file with the
ACAO.
Titles and credentials…
Registered Opticians (RO) and Registered Contact Lens Practitioners (RCLP) work extremely hard for
the skills required to become Licensed. Only persons registered with the ACAO may use this title; it
guarantees the public that you are qualified professional in Alberta, and that you maintain your skills.
THE NACOR EXAM
Taking the exam…
Once students have successfully completed the NAIT Optical sciences program and have become
Provisional with the ACAO, the national Association of Canadian Optician Regulators (NACOR)
administers the National Licensing exam for both Optical Sciences 1; Eyeglass, and Optical Sciences 2;
Contact Lenses. You must successfully pass the National Licensing exam in order to become a Registered
Optician and work unsupervised.
Date and fees…
The cost to take the NACOR exam is $750.00 (subject to change). Alberta hosts the NAACOR twice a year.
Once in February and again in May. Candidates also have the option of writing in other provinces.
5REGISTERED OPTICANS
Licensing Fees…
In order to practice as an Optician or Contact Lens Practitioner in Alberta each member must be
registered with the ACAO. The annual licensing fees support the regulation of the profession and work
to serve you as a member. Provisional fees are equal to regular member fees, but if you begin your
Provisional status throughout the year, we offer reduced fees. It is important to plan ahead so that you
are not caught off guard when your fees are due; to find out the current fee schedule, visit;
http://acao.ca/registration-and-fees/fees/
Application fee is applied to all applications except those already registered as Registered Opticians with the ACAO: $136.50
(Includes GST)
Registrationn Fees Fees 2020 Due Date
Includes GST
Registered Optician (RO) / Provisional Optician (PCLP) $809.11 Dec 1st - Annual
$999.16
Registered Contact Lens Practitioner (RCLP) / Provsional (includes eyeglass Dec 1st - Annual
(SCLP) fee)
New Provisional Fees 2019 Due Date
Includes GST
EG Graduates between Jan 1 - March 30 $809.11 PAID UPON
EG Graduates between April 1 - Dec 31 $404.55 GRADUATION, PRIOR TO
NACOR EXAM
CL Graduates between Jan 1 - March 30 $190.05 PAID UPON
CL Graduates between April 1 -Dec 31 $95.03 GRADUATION, PRIOR TO
NACOR EXAM
DO I NEED TO REGISTER?
Registration is mandatory…
As is the case for all other health professions in Alberta, Opticians must register with the provincial
regulatory body, in this case the ACAO, in order to legally practise in their chosen health profession.
Annual renewal…
All new ACAO members will recieve a Certificate of Registration. A valid Certificate of Registration must
be on display to assure your patients that all registration requiremetnts have been satisfied, and that you
are legally allowed to practice. Members will also recieve their annual Practice Permit which they will
have access to via their online profile upon receipt of registration fees. The annual practice permit can be
used as confirmation that you have renewed your license for the current year.
6QUALITY ASSURANCE
Continuing Education…
Continuing learning is important to all careers, but proving competence is especially important when
there is risk of harm to the public. When you become a Registered Optician and the Provisional status is
removed from your practice permit, you will be required to take part in the Quality Assurance Program.
Upgrading your skills…
The program is designed to help you continually upgrade your knowledge and skills to meet the demands
of changing practice requirements and client needs. It is also an opportunity for you to explore your
chosen field in depth and learn interesting new things, so while the Continuing Competency Program is a
requirement, we hope that you will find it an enjoyable one.
ALBERTA COLLEGE AND ASSOCIATION OF OPTICIANS
The Alberta College and Association of Opticians is dedicated to advancing and promoting the profession
of Opticianry in Alberta.
We welcome you and wish to let you know that we are here to help with any questions.
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION
ACAO Staff
Jennifer Bertrand Kristie Murray
Registrar / Executive Director Office Manager
jennifer@acao.ca kristie@acao.ca
Julie Therou Zechel - RO, RCLP Ruta Nuguse
Deputy Registrarj Regisration Administrator
julie@acao.ca ruta@acao.ca
Kalen Hussey
Complaints and Professional Practice
Assistant
kalen@acao.ca
NACOR FIELD SUPERVISION
Jodi Dodds - RO Karla Charland - RO, RCLP
Executive Director Field Supervision Coordinator / Exam Coordinator
jdodds@nacor.ca karlacoa07@gmail.com
2711 - 83 Garry Street c/o ACAO office
Winnipeg, MB 201, 2528 Ellwood Drive SW
Tel: 204-949-1950 Edmonton, AB
Toll Free: 866-949-1950 Tel: 780-422-2681
Fax: 204-949-9153 Toll Free: 877-849-2020
Website: www.nacor.ca
7Address: 201, 2528 Ellwood Drive SW Edmonton, AB T6X 0A9 Phone: 780-429-2694 Toll Free: 800-263-6026 Fax: 780-426-5576 Toll Free: 800-584-6896 Email: general@acao.ca Website: www.acao.ca
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