Standards & Guidelines

 

Our primary role is to protect public health and safety. We do this by setting standards for optometrists and dispensing opticians which ensure practitioners are competent and fit to practise.

You’ll find our standards below; following the link will give you more detail on each.

 

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On this page: Standards | Clinical Competence | Cultural Competence & Cultural Safety | Ethical Conduct | Professional Standards | Registration policies | Programme Accreditation | Therapeutic Standards, Statements & Guidelines

 

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Standards of clinical competence

 

ODOB standards of clinical competence align with our scopes of practice. Each clinical standard should be read together with the ethical and cultural standards.

 

Standards of clinical competence for optometrists

These entry-level competency requirements outline optometrists’ professional and clinical responsibilities in relation to carrying out examinations, obtaining a patient history, patient management, clinical diagnosis and dispensing, maintaining records and conducting research.

 

 

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Standards of clinical competence for dispensing opticians

These are entry-level competency requirements for dispensing opticians in Aotearoa New Zealand. They cover the ability to interpret and dispense prescriptions, maintain records, communicate effectively with patients, manage a practice, and perform delegated tasks in support of a registered optometrist or ophthalmologist.

 

 

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Standards of cultural competence & cultural safety

 

OBOD requires optometrists and dispensing opticians to meet standards of cultural competence and cultural safety. Cultural competence is about being able to understand and communicate effectively with people across cultures.

Cultural safety requires practitioners to be aware of how their own views and biases may impact on the care they provide to patients. In Aotearoa New Zealand, cultural safety is especially important in supporting Māori health equity.

 

 

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Standards of ethical conduct

 

The standards of ethical conduct set clear expectations about how optometrists and dispensing opticians will behave towards the individuals, families, whānau and communities they meet through their work. This includes respecting individual dignity and independence, practising safely and effectively, and advocating for equitable and improved eye health care for vulnerable groups.

 

 

 

 

Professional standards

 

The professional standards outline wider practise responsibilities for optometrists and dispensing opticians. Here are our policies on board processes for complaints, open and protected disclosure, competence reviews, the resolution of any employment relationship problems, and the naming of practitioners who have fallen short of professional expectations or where there is risk of harm.

 

Key documents

 

 

 

Registration policies

 

The registration policies outline all our registration policies and procedures. For more information, please contact the office at registrations@odob.health.nz.

 

Key documents

 

 

 

Accreditation standards for programmes

 

Optometrists

The ODOB and the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ) work together on accrediting the education providers and programmes for optometrists in both countries.

The following accreditation standards are jointly agreed and applied by OCANZ and the Board:

 

 

You’ll find further information relating to the joint accreditation standards  and joint processes on the OCANZ website.

 

Dispensing opticians

We are responsible for accrediting the education and training programmes for optometrists and dispensing opticians in Aotearoa New Zealand. These standards ensure that the education providers and programmes we accredit deliver graduates who are competent to practise.

 

 

 

Therapeutic standards, statements & guidelines

 

 

 

Oral medicine guidelines

The ODOB’s oral medicine guidelines support optometrists on the following conditions: