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All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |
| SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY |
| REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: |
| National Diploma: Optometry |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 957 | National Diploma: Optometry | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Committee of Technikon Principals | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| CHE - Council on Higher Education | HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| National Diploma | Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services | Promotive Health and Developmental Services | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 360 | Level 6 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6 | Regular-Provider-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
|
Passed the End Date - Status was "Registered" |
SAQA 1536/01 | 2003-07-01 | 2006-06-30 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2007-06-30 | 2011-06-30 | |||
| In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise. |
This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. |
| PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
| This qualification is intended for optemetric technologists to practice independently as part of the Health Care Team, in the field of eye and vision care. These persons will be competent to:
1. Apply optical and allied technologies 2. Provide optical aids, or visual training therapy to the specifications and prescription of a person registered with the appropriate council. 3. Apply strategies which are appropriate to the cost effective management of both the patient and the eye care facility. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| FET certificate at Level 4 - Numeracy and Science skills, Biology and English Language skills or equivalent qualification
Conformity to entrance requirements for registration with the Health Professions Council Potential within specific related fields |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| N |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| The qualification will be awarded to a learner who has provided evidence to the satisfaction of the assessors that the stated competence of the qualification, as detailed in the specified outcomes, has been achieved, either through education and training in a single provider's learning programme, and through experiential learning that complies with the stated specified outcomes. |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| The qualifying optometric technologist will be able to:
1. Apply scientific optometric skills, optical and allied technologies in the delivery of eye care products to visually compromised people 2. Apply scientific optometric skills in the delivery of visual training therapy to visually compromised people Interact consultatively in the delivery of eye care products or therapy to visually compromised people 3. Apply appropriate medico-legal ethics, health and safety regulations and codes of conduct in the delivery of service and products to patients/clients 4. Apply basic optometric skills in the assessment of specific ocular parameters 5. Apply basic optometric skills in the assessment of specific ocular and visual anomalies 6. Manage and administer human, technical and other resources to ensure optimal delivery of eye and vision care, products and services 7. Apply research methods and techniques to any relevant area of optometric learning, appropriately and correctly. (The tools to conduct research are acquired by the learner, the research as such is not performed. Once the research has been conducted credits are appropriately assigned) 8. Apply scientific optometric skills, optical and allied technologies in the delivery of eye care products to visually compromised people One 1. Interpret, analyse and critically evaluate ophthalmic prescriptions ? (40 credits) 2. Evaluate the patient/clients personal needs and requirements in the eye and vision care context ? (15 credits) 3. Relate the analysis of ophthalmic prescriptions to the final optical product ? (20 credits) 4. Communicate information clearly to the patient, informing them accurately of the optical aid-end product ? (15 credits) 5. Apply specific scientific knowledge to the manufacturing, repair and adjustment of optical appliances ? (10 credits) 6. Use specialised machinery involved in the manufacture of optical appliances or parts there-of ? (25 credits) Two Apply scientific optometric skills in the delivery of visual training therapy to visually compromised people 1. Analyse, interpret and apply basic optometric knowledge to the therapy prescription ? (20 credits) 2. Relate the prescribed therapy to a specific visual training program ? (10 credits) 3. Communicate competently with all stakeholders in the training program and desired training goal ? (5 credits) 4. Implement the training program for visually compromised patients ? (5 credits) 5. Monitor the progress of the patient's training program ? (5 credits) 6. Report accurately on the progress of the patient's condition to pertinent people ? (5 credits) Three Interact consultatively in the delivery of eye care products or therapy to visually compromised people 1. Communicate with the prescribing practitioner ? (4 credits 2. Communicate with lens suppliers ? (10 credits) 3. Communicate with suppliers of frames ? (4 credits) 4. Communicate with supplier of manufacturing machinery ? (2 credits) 5. Communicate with suppliers of various other optical aids and instrument machinery ? (5 credits) 6. Maintain effective communication and co-operation between patients and stakeholders ? (10 credits) Four Apply appropriate medico-legal ethics, health and safety regulations and codes of conduct in the delivery of service and products to patients/clients 1. Practice with ethical conduct appropriate to a multi-disciplinary team of professionals ? (10 credits) 2. Apply optimum patient care at all times ? (5 credits) 3. Apply all relevant regulations to ensure that the patients and public are protected from consequences of inadequate dispensing ? (10 credits) 4. Perform optometrically related procedures safely ? (5 credits) 5. Practice within the appropriate code of conduct ? (10 credits) |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| 1. Knowledge of the patient's vision condition can be correctly demonstrated
The prescribed product or service can be correctly interpreted and explained The vision and/or eye condition can be explained to the patient The prognosis for improved vision can be explained to the patient Completeness of the prescription can be shown 2. An adequate case history can be taken The patient's vocational and lifestyle needs can be correctly ascertained The patient's socio-economic background can be ascertained Spectacle frames can be correctly chosen in terms of functional suitability Spectacle frames can be suitably chosen in terms of colour 3. Knowledge of available product ranges can be shown Knowledge of available special lens treatment can be demonstrated Knowledge of lens materials can be demonstrated Suitability of lens designs can be shown with regard to frames Vocational suitability of lenses and special treatments can be shown Previous optical aids can be competently analysed 4. Basic knowledge of the patient's cultural and religious background can be demonstrated Different methods of communication can be shown Cosmetic effects of the end products can be clearly explained or demonstrated Head, face and eye abnormalities can be empathetically discussed Product parameters can be pre-determined Comparative costings can be correctly carried out 5. Visual point separations in the spectacle plane can be correctly determined Adjusting tools for spectacles can be correctly chosen Adjusting tools for spectacles can be correctly used Proficiency in adjusting spectacles competently can be shown Knowledge of differences in material handling can be demonstrated Existing optical appliances can be competently repaired 6. Instruments can be competently used to lay out and mark up lenses Machinery related to edging and finishing lenses can be competently calibrated A variety of specialised machinery for manufacturing/finishing and repair purposes can be competently operated Knowledge of safety regulations pertaining to manufacturing activities can be demonstrated 7. Advanced knowledge of the patient's visual system problem can be demonstrated The prescribed service or therapy can be correctly interpreted and explained The vision and/or eye condition can be explained to the patient The aim of the service or therapy can be explained to the patient The prognosis for improved binocular co-ordination and visual systems functioning can be correctly assessed 8. An adequate case history pertinent to the specific condition can be taken An adequate time frame for the service or therapy can be determined 9. The patient's level of motivation can be satisfactorily ascertained The correct instrumentation can be selected in order to carry out the service or therapy The patient's level of comprehension of their visual condition can be ascertained The possible limitations of the patient's condition can be correctly explained Different methods of communication can be shown Different levels of communication (i.e. to stakeholder groups) can be shown 10. Knowledge of instrument and free-space training programs can be demonstrated Simple, concise instructions can be given to the patients Demonstrations can be delivered (given) competently Awareness of the patient's understanding at all times within the visual training program must be present 11. Levels of progress can be ascertained A holistic approach and adequate encouragement can be provided, empathetically Timeous intervention can be shown 12. A wide range of correspondence skills can be demonstrated Interpretation of professional reports can be shown Optometric measurements can be correctly recorded and reported 13. Skills in communicating with all members of the Health Care Team can be demonstrated Negotiating skills can be demonstrated with regard to structuring of the therapy Assertiveness within the appropriate discipline can be demonstrated 14. Knowledge of correct lens terminologies can be shown Clear and concise instructions can be given Knowledge of technical limitations can be demonstrated Effects of compromises on lens design versus functions can be understood Knowledge of up to date international and local quality standards can be shown Willingness to accept viable lens design alternatives or modified products can be shown 15. Knowledge of correct frame components can be shown Knowledge of spectacle frames functions can be demonstrated Knowledge of alternative optical aid mounting devices can be shown Knowledge of current fashions can be utilized Quality of spectacle frames can be carefully judged Knowledge of frame and fashion accessories can be demonstrated 16. Knowledge of availability of specialized machinery can be shown Knowledge of operation and design of instrument/machinery can be demonstrated Service of upgrading poor aspects of machinery can be competently negotiated with the supplier 17. Knowledge of stock of various suppliers of optical aids, and specialized optical instruments can be demonstrated Current knowledge of services offered and economic viability can be ascertained Effective negotiation with regard to acquisition of new stock/services can be demonstrated Settlement in areas of service and/or supply of instruments/optical aids can be attained amicably 18. Problem areas in the provision of eye care products or therapy can be identified and adequately explained to the patients and stakeholders Amicable solutions can be reached by reasonable/open communication with patient and stakeholders Advisory capacity can be demonstrated with regard to structuring of services versus financial payments 19. Knowledge of professional ethics can be demonstrated Knowledge of appropriate behaviour can be ascertained Knowledge of own professional limitations is clearly understood Relevant knowledge of other professional ethics can be shown 20. Consideration of the patient as the primary concern within a multidisciplinary approach can be shown The patient's rights to quality care are protected Consideration of the patient's special requirements and limitations can be demonstrated Patient care procedures are optimally performed Knowledge of human behaviour in a culturally diverse environment is demonstrated and applied The psychological diversity of patient's is acknowledged The clinical diversity of patient's is acknowledged 21. Situations can be assessed, discretion and judgement can be exercised Expertise in protective eyewear can be demonstrated Knowledge of all relevant regulations can be applied and demonstrated Responsibility can be assumed for professional decisions 22. Knowledge of appropriate measurements can be demonstrated and safely carried out Awareness of patient's facial structure, individuality and variations from the norm can be accurately assessed and measured Knowledge of properties of various materials, and their manipulation can be safely demonstrated Skills in the use of adjusting equipment can be safely performed Accurate awareness of patient's proximity to all optical instrumentation can be safely ascertained Knowledge of disease and its spread via contamination of instrumentation/etc can be demonstrated Appropriate methods of sterilization can be applied 23. The patient's rights in accordance with the bill of rights are maintained Patient confidentiality can be correctly applied and entrusted Appropriate responses to the patient's needs can be demonstrated within the ethical code of practice Unethical and illegal professional activities Integrated assessment: Formative and summative assessmentallow for progressive mastery of skills and knowledge utilising the following methods including continuous assessment: 1. Written and oral tests and examinations 2. Projects/assignments 3. Supervised experiential and community training and performance pertainng to the qualificaton of the provision of eye-care with-in health care to the community. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| National Diploma: Optical Dispensing
Orthoptist Contact lens fitter Within the proposed optometric services career ladder the degree will articulate vertically with that of Optometry degree at level 7 Masters/O>D> optometry program at levels 7 and 8 |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| Criteria are those to meet SERTEC requirements
Professional Board for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians, under the Health Professions Council of South Africa Overviewed by the South African Optometric Association |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| Criteria are those to meet SERTEC requirements
Assessors must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa Assessors should be actively involved in either optometric education, optometric practice or industry and should have a working knowledge of the minimum standards required to obtain the qualification |
| NOTES |
| While South Africa still had Technikons, all of their qualifications were registered under the Committee of Technikon Principals. After the Technikons became Universities of Technology or merged with Universities, the qualifications were registered under each of these institutions, and the CTP qualifications fell away (hence the end date of 2006, above). Where relevant, replacement information is s hown in the table above. |
| LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: |
| NONE |
| PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: |
| This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here. |
| NONE |
| All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |