NAIT/OAC Optical Sciences Advanced Practice Sight Testing Program

NAIT/OAC Optical Sciences Advanced Practice
Sight Testing Program (Distance)
Overview
Advanced Practice Sight Testing Program builds on your previous education and provides you
with enhanced knowledge for refracting. This program is an advanced practice; therefore, the
potential student must be a registered Optician in good standing with their Provincial Regulatory
Body. The part-time study option allows you to continue pursuing your career while furthering
your education in this new and interesting area. Advanced Practice Sight Testing can be
completed in two years or less.
This program is offered in English only.
Quick Info
Subject
Health & Safety
Certification
Other
Delivery Method
Distance & Online Learning
Contacts
Outside Alberta within Canada
Phone. 1.800.847.3155
Email. education@opticians.ca
Length
2 years
Location
Flexible
Program Model/Completion Requirements
To earn a NAIT Continuing Education Refracting Optician Certificate, students must successfully
complete:
Two (2) theory courses, where the overall passing grade is 63%
o Advanced Practice Year One (ODP550)
o Advanced Practice Year Two – Sight Testing (ODP551)
Mark Distribution for ODP551
A. Midterm Exam 30%
B. Final Exam 40%
C. Online Post Assessments 30%
100%
4 practicum courses, grades on a Pass/Fail basis
o Advanced Practice Practicum Levels 1 & 2 (ODP529 and ODP530)
o Advanced Practice Practicum Levels 5 & 6 (ODP533 and ODP534)
OR, a student must have:
Been granted Advanced credit for ODP550, ODP529 and ODP530 as a practicing
Contact Lens Fitter or Optician* (*Ontario & Quebec only)
Successfully completed ODP551, ODP533 and ODP534

Certification
Students who successfully complete all program requirements will receive a Continuing
Education Refracting Optician Certificate.
Licensing
At the time of publication, Refracting (Sight Testing) is not currently within the scope of practice of
Opticians in many provinces, this course is for educational purposes only in those jurisdictions.
For further information, contact your Provincial Regulatory Board. For contact information, CLICK
HERE
Entrance Requirements
You are eligible to register if you
Have successfully completed Advanced Practice Year One (ODP550) and Advanced
Practice Practicum Levels 1 and 2 (ODP529 and ODP530)
OR
Are a licensed Contact Lens Fitter or Optician* in good standing with your Provincial
Regulatory Body. Proof of licensure and a letter of good standing are required.
*Ontario & Quebec only
Registration
Canadian Residents outside of Alberta must apply directly to the Opticians Association of
Canada.
Contact the Opticians Association of Canada to request an application package. Application
packages must be filled out electronically, therefore, will be sent to you via email.
Phone: 1.800.847.3155 or 204.982.6060
Email. education@opticians.ca
This Program will only run if a sufficient number of applicants is reached.

Advanced Practice Year Two – Sight Testing (ODP551) – Computer Based
Learning
Course Length: 32 weeks
Hours: 350.00
Start and End Dates: September 16, 2013 to April 30, 2014
Application Deadline: August 15, 2013
Training is designed for registered opticians looking to gain the skills for Advanced Practice
Refraction. The Advanced Practice Year Two – Sight Testing course explores the art and science
of the refraction, including phorometry, strabismus, and muscle imbalances. Emphasis is placed
on the objective refraction, orthoptics and the subjective refraction.
The program contains a course of study governed by prescribed textbooks and computer-based
online learning. Students must have daily access to a computer and a designated email address.
Course content is accessed online. Students must complete online assessments and
assignments. Students are also required to complete a written midterm examination and
complete a written final examination. Examinations are not completed online.
The midterm and final examination venues will be based on the location of the majority of
students and will be a maximum of 275 km from your home city/town. Examinations are a
maximum of 3 hours in length and consist of 100 multiple-choice questions. Examinations MUST
be written on the scheduled day at the scheduled time. There are no rewrite examinations.
Textbooks referenced in the Program – Primary Care Optometry (5E) and Fundamentals for
Ophthalmic Technical Personnel (1E). Purchase of textbooks is the responsibility of the student.
A textbook list and contact information for the NAIT Bookstore (Campus Reads & Needs) is
included in the course application package, however, students may purchase textbooks from an
alternate source.
Major Topics
A. LOG 1 - Learning with LOGs
B. LOG 2 – Objective Refraction
C. LOG 3 – Subjective Refraction
D. LOG 4 – Muscle Balance Testing
E. LOG 5 – Binocular Vision Testing
F. LOG 6 – Analysis & Interpretation
Advanced Practice Practicum Level Five (ODP533) & Advanced Practice
Practicum Level Six (ODP534)
Students are required to complete Advanced Practice Practicum Levels Five and Six (ODP533 &
ODP534), consisting of 250 practical hours and specific practicum objectives. These Practicum
Levels must be completed under the direct supervision of a practicing certified refracting Optician,
certified ophthalmic medical technician (COMT), Optometrist or Ophthalmologist with whom you
have a signed Practicum Agreement. These Practicum Levels are due based on the date
specified in the Student Handbook, received prior to course commencement.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all requirements of the program are
completed within the time-frame specified.
A student must complete all academic and practical courses of the program prior
to being issued a Continuing Education Refracting Optician Certificate
Continuing Education Credits
The Advanced Practice Year Two – Sight Testing course has been accredited for continuing
education credits in the following provinces:
British Columbia = 36 EC credits
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia &
PEI = 10 EC Credits
We are currently awaiting continuing education accreditation for the remaining provinces.
Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be sent a three-part OAC continuing
education certificate to be submitted to their Provincial Regulatory Body.