Professional Standards for Optometrists and Opticians

Who this course is for

Optometrists and opticians regulated by provincial and territorial colleges in Canada, in independent, corporate and retail practice.

Course details

Learning time

2 hours (estimated learning time including knowledge checks, reflection and assessment)

Standards covered

Provincial optometry and opticianry legislation and college standards (e.g. Ontario's Optometry Act, 1991 and Opticianry Act, 1991 with the Health Professions Procedural Code); Canadian Association of Optometrists guidance; Ontario's RHPA, 1991 (ICRC, HPARB, sexual abuse and mandatory reporting provisions); PHIPA and PIPEDA; Ontario's Apology Act, 2009 and other provincial apology legislation; SCERPs; TRC Calls to Action and In Plain Sight

Format

Online and self-paced: gated lessons with knowledge checks, a reflective account and a final assessment

Assessment

10 scenario-based multiple-choice questions, 80% to pass (8 of 10), with an explanation for each answer

Outcome

Certificate of completion and a written reflective account you can keep for your CPD or quality-assurance record

1. 1Introduction7 lessons

   • Understanding professionalism in eye care
   • Professionalism in the Canadian regulatory context
   • The unique nature of professionalism in eye care
   • Core components of professionalism
   • Common professional risks in eye care practice
   • Professionalism beyond direct patient care
   • The link between professionalism and complaints
2. 2Core Attributes7 lessons

   • Integrity and honesty in eye care practice
   • Accountability and professional responsibility
   • Respect, dignity, and professional behaviour
   • Competence and continuous professional development
   • Professional boundaries and ethical conduct
   • Reliability, organization, and professional responsibility
   • Professionalism under pressure
3. 3Boundaries, Roles & Scope8 lessons

   • Understanding professional boundaries in eye care
   • Boundary crossings vs boundary violations
   • Absolute prohibition of sexual or intimate relationships
   • Understanding scope of practice
   • Scope of practice risks and complaints
   • Managing commercial influences and professional boundaries
   • Managing boundary and scope challenges in practice
   • Regulatory perspective on boundaries and scope
4. 4Communication & Conduct8 lessons

   • The role of communication in professional eye care practice
   • Building trust through professional communication
   • Clear, honest, and transparent communication
   • Managing difficult conversations
   • Professional conduct in all interactions
   • Digital communication and professionalism
   • Communication, documentation, and complaints
   • Maintaining professionalism under pressure
5. 5Documentation & Records7 lessons

   • The importance of documentation in eye care practice
   • Principles of high-quality record keeping
   • Documentation responsibilities: optometrists vs opticians
   • Documentation of communication and consent
   • Documentation in complex and high-risk situations
   • Common documentation errors and risks
   • Digital records, privacy, and regulatory scrutiny
6. 6Challenging Situations7 lessons

   • Understanding challenging situations in eye care practice
   • Managing difficult patient interactions
   • High-risk clinical decisions and referral
   • Managing commercial pressure professionally
   • Responding to errors and adverse events
   • Professionalism under pressure and in complaints
   • Learning from challenging situations
7. 7Cultural Safety7 lessons

   • Understanding cultural safety in eye care practice
   • Indigenous health and professional responsibility
   • Respecting diverse cultural perspectives
   • Addressing health inequities
   • Communication and cultural safety
   • Cultural safety in clinical and commercial decisions
   • Cultural safety and professional conduct
8. 8Complaints & Investigations8 lessons

   • Understanding complaints and investigations in Canada
   • Professional response to complaints
   • Understanding investigations and regulatory processes
   • Honesty, integrity, and professional conduct
   • Insight and reflection in professional conduct
   • Remediation and professional improvement
   • Preventing complaints and professional conduct issues
   • Professional conduct and public trust
9. 9Reflection, Insight & Remediation8 lessons

   • The central role of reflection in eye care practice
   • Understanding insight in a regulatory context
   • Structured approaches to reflective practice
   • Writing effective reflective statements
   • Understanding remediation in eye care practice
   • Demonstrating reflection, insight, and remediation to regulators
   • Consequences of poor reflection and lack of insight
   • Embedding reflective practice into professional development
10. 10Conclusion & Key Takeaways1 lesson

    • Key takeaways

Assessment and certificate

Fitness To Practice

Certificate of Completion

This certifies that

Your Name

has successfully completed

Professional Standards for Optometrists and Opticians

Completed12 Oct 2026

2hours (estimated)

Certificate IDFTS-7Q4K-2M9X

Continuing professional development record — Canada