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All Registered Dispensing Opticians and Contact Lens Fitters (practicing and non-practicing) are required to complete the mandatory continuing education (MCE) requirements set out by the College of Opticians of BC.


OVERVIEW OF MCE REQUIREMENTS 




 MCE Cycle
  • 3 year cycle (eg: Jan 1, 2010 to Dec 31, 2012)




 Total required credits over 3 years
  • Dispensing Optician = 21
  • Contact Lens Fitter = 36




 MCE Category
  • Dispensing Optician = 12 EG minimum
  • Contact Lens Fitter = 12 EG and 15 CL minimum




 MCE Activity Source
  • 2/3 = Professional provider
  • 1/3 = any other provider




Carryover Limit 
  • Dispensing Optician = 7 credits
  • Contact Lens Fitter = 12 credits


MCE CYCLE REQUIREMENTS 
Each registrant is assigned to a continuing education cycle based on the year in which they were first registered as a Licensed Optician. Each cycle is 3 years in length beginning January 1st and all CE credits are due on December 31st of the third year.

Dispensing Opticians - 21 credits over an assigned 3 year cycle (maximum 7 carry over credits may be advanced to the next cycle).

Contact Lens Fitters - 36 credits over an assigned 3 year cycle (maximum 12 carry over credits may be advanced to the next cycle).

Non-practicing Registrants - require the same number of credits over an assigned 3 year cycle as practicing registrants.

Reinstated Registrants - required to fulfill MCE requirements for every MCE cycle missed while their registration was suspended before returning to registered status. All reinstated Licensed Opticians are placed back into their original three-year cycle, regardless of how long their certificate of registration was suspended.


MCE CATEGORY REQUIREMENTS
CE courses and activities are categorized into four distinct areas of Opticianry:

1) Dispensing Practice (EG)
2) Contact Lens Practice (CL)
3) Personal Advancement - Related Fields (RF)
4) Both Dispensing and Contact Lens Practice (EC)

NOTE: EC credits can be used towards both your EG and CL requirements

Dispensing Opticians - require minimum of 12 EG credits
Contact Lens Fitters - require minimum of 12 EG credits and 15 CL credits



SOURCE OF MCE ACTIVITIES
There are 2 categories of continuing education providers:

1) Professional providers (2/3 credits)

The role of the professional provider is to ensure that all registrants have access their CE courses and activities, and that their Continuing Education is specific and relevant to Opticianry issues and developments. The COBC requires all registrants to obtain at least 2/3 of their CE credits through CE courses and activities by professional providers.

The professional providers are:
  • All Canadian educational institutions with accredited Licensed Optician programs
  • Canadian provincial/national Licensed Opticians associations 
  • Approved study clubs 
  • Recognized Canadian provincial Opticianry organizations
2) Other providers (1/3 credits)

Registrants can complete a maximum of 1/3 of their CE credit requirements through other providers:
  • Private training
  • Industry corporations
  • Allied professions
2/3 of your MCE credits must come from a professional provider and the other 1/3 can come from any other MCE provider.


Should you have any questions about your MCE cycle requirements, please contact the College office at (604) 278-7510 or email reception@cobc.ca.
Registration and Administrative Assistant Position
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May 12, 2013 |
Job Type: 12 months, full-time contract
Salary: Based on experience
Number of Positions Open: 1
Start Date of Employment: ASAP
Deadline: May 15, 2013
Website Address: www.cobc.ca

The College of Opticians of British Columbia (the “College”) is the health regulatory body for all Opticians in BC. The College is responsible for regulating Opticianry in the public interest and ensuring that Opticians are providing competent and effective care to help people achieve better vision.

The Registration and Administrative Assistant position is a good opportunity to gain experience in professional nonprofit and healthcare administration, specializing in the field of health profession regulation.
Job Type: 12 months, full-time contract
Salary: Based on experience
Number of Positions Open: 1
Start Date of Employment: ASAP
Deadline: May 15, 2013
Website Address: www.cobc.ca

The College of Opticians of British Columbia (the “College”) is the health regulatory body for all Opticians in BC. The College is responsible for regulating Opticianry in the public interest and ensuring that Opticians are providing competent and effective care to help people achieve better vision.

The Registration Assistant position is a good opportunity to gain experience in professional nonprofit and healthcare administration, specializing in the field of health profession regulation. The Registration Assistant is responsible for providing administrative support to the office and the Registrar through the following responsibilities (including but not limited to):

Registration Committee
• Administration of the registration of registrants
• Responding to enquiries regarding registration processes and procedures
• Providing administrative and logistical support for national examinations
• Writing agendas, recording minutes and executing action items from each registration committee meeting
• Facilitating the Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) process for applicants from non-accredited education
• Preparing quarterly reports to the Board on the registration committee’s progress
• Data management of registrant profiles

Quality Assurance Committee
• Administration of continuing education activity accreditation and submissions

Office Administration
• General office duties
• Accounting responsibilities including bookkeeping and cost efficiency tracking
• Coordinate board and committee meetings
• Other administrative and support responsibilities as required

In addition, you will assist in the administration of the College through writing letters, reports, policy research, and website management. The COBC is dedicated to training and equipping you in the field of professional non-profit and healthcare administration.

Qualifications:
• Undergraduate degree (new graduates are encouraged to apply)
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to prioritize, organize and problem-solve
• Self-starter who works independently without supervision
• Knowledge of accounting systems and bookkeeping would be an asset
• CMS knowledge is an asset
• Professional and service -oriented
• Interest in health legislation and regulation

Contact Information:
Please direct enquiries, resumes, and cover letters with salary expectation to:
Annette Angell
Assistant Registrar
604.278.7510 ext 201 (toll-free: 1.888.771.6755)
recruitment at cobc dot ca



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May 03, 2013 |


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