New Zealand Dispensing Opticians - anyone here?

**MarySue** · 04-20-2009, 08:55 PM

I'm wondering how many New Zealand qualified dispensing opticians are active members of opti-board, and if it is worth while to ask for a private forum for NZ DO's?

Any answers out there?
Mary Sue

**JenniferNewZealand** · 11-01-2009, 11:03 PM

Have just passed exams, am waiting for graduation papers to arrive.
I'm from OPSM in Auckland. Haven't seen anyone else on here over the last year.

**eyeguy123** · 11-01-2009, 11:11 PM

hey guys what does it mean to be an Optician in New Zeland?:cheers:

**MarySue** · 11-02-2009, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by eyeguy123

hey guys what does it mean to be an Optician in New Zeland?:cheers:

In New Zealand we have a 2.5 year course which is done through OTEN (Open Training and Education Network) in NSW Australia. We do this through correspondence, and the learning is supplemented with 4 practical blocks. These blocks teach the hands on side of things, and give the students a chance to meet in a school room setting. The course is equivalent to Virginia's qualifications, without contact fitting or refraction. There are 800 hours of practical experience required to become registered. The Ministry of Health allows registration for dispensing opticians in New Zealand and the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board manages the registration process and our continuing professional development (required by law to maintain registration.)

For me, personally I have learnt more in the five years of CPD than in the 25 years since I completed my course at J Sargeant Reynolds in Richmond VA. I've been here 12 years and think that NZ has some of the most passionate dispensers around.

Hope that helps

Mary Sue

**MarySue** · 11-02-2009, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by JenniferNewZealand

Have just passed exams, am waiting for graduation papers to arrive.
I'm from OPSM in Auckland. Haven't seen anyone else on here over the last year.

Congratulations Jennifer - well done on completing the exams. If you need help with your registration, you can message me privately. I work assisting practices, helping other opticians, and tutoring students whenever possible. My website is www.hopperconsultants.co.nz

Good on ya mate!:cheers:

**Murray O'Brien** · 11-03-2009, 01:01 AM

Hi Mary-Sue,
I'm in Melbourne and am deeply involved with A.D.O.A. (Victoria). I was wondering what the Kiwi's think of the changes that have been made to the course curriculum courtesy of the Industry Skills Council and big business?

**MarySue** · 11-03-2009, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Murray O'Brien

Hi Mary-Sue,
I'm in Melbourne and am deeply involved with A.D.O.A. (Victoria). I was wondering what the Kiwi's think of the changes that have been made to the course curriculum courtesy of the Industry Skills Council and big business?

Murray - our association hasn't communicated much to us in the past two years. Maybe you can enlighten me as to the changes? We still use the OTEN NSW Tafe course, and I have seen the changes to that - which now include more business structure, but the same intensity of focus on optics and the art of dispensing. The required learning after completion has doubled as well from 400 -800 hours required before registration.

Is this what you mean? If so - I'm all for it personally.

**Murray O'Brien** · 11-04-2009, 02:46 AM

The Industry Skills Council are the body in Australia that determine the skill sets required over a range of industries. They have had a major review of a number of health related industries which began back in 2005. OPSM lobbied hard to get the course dumbed down, removing much of the really good (what most of us would consider core) optical content, turning it into a sort of retailers course. For OPSM, trainees are a great source of cheap labour and they receive a kickback from the Australian Government when they start and finish the course. Problem for OPSM was that very few of the trainees were passing the course, hence no Government kickback at the end. The new curriculum was introduced during 2008. All providers of the Certifcate IV in Optical Dispensing now teach the same curriculum whether it be OTEN, RMIT or Sydney Tech. I have the current course notes from RMIT (which is the provider for OPSM now) and I am very concerned. The last course which was being taught at OTEN and RMIT was pretty much the same content that we'd always had. It hadn't changed much since I went through the apprenticeship and Guild Diploma back in the early eighties(four years study back then!). As far as I can tell, New Zealand students also do the new curriculum now, as that is what is set down here. Check the OTEN website for details!http://www.oten.edu.au/oten/core/sho...&cofferid=8055
Have a look at the course information and the subjects offered. I believe the teaching staff at OTEN are very disappointed. I have tried to contact the association in N.Z. but no reply. If you can find something out it would be appreciated.

**Yellow** · 05-09-2012, 01:06 AM

I know that this is quite literally years in the making, but I just got an email from ODOB ( NZ board). They have confirmed that the RMIT qualification is the same as what OTEN/ Opti block provide. As of yesterday it's all approved. After finishing the qualification in late 2009, as of yesterday I can register... Crazy huh!