Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to determine client optical needs from prescriptions, and provide detailed technical advice on appliances.
This unit applies to optical dispensers who work according to prescriptions provided by optometrists or ophthalmologists.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Determine client optical needs | 1.1 Access and correctly interpret prescription or customer record 1.2 Determine style and performance requirements in consultation with the client 1.3 Take and record accurate client measurements 1.4 Identify particular challenges or special needs of the client in relation to product options 1.5 Identify opportunities to suggest new or innovative products 1.6 Select products that meet client optical needs |
2. Provide appliance information to client | 2.1 Provide accurate and current style and performance details about available appliance options 2.2 Explain how the optical appliance will meet visual, functional and cosmetic needs 2.3 Provide accurate details of product costs 2.4 Involve the client in the decision making process and provide opportunities to ask questions and discuss concerns 2.5 Record advice provided according to organisation requirements |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 100 hours of direct client contact work
provided advice on optical appliances to at least 5 different clients
provided advice on both spectacles and contact lenses
provided sound technical advice on options to clients taking account of:
weight
lens thickness
centration
curvature
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
industry context for provision of advice on optical appliances, including:
industry structure and profile
interrelationships between different parts of the industry
modes of optical practice
how dispensaries and laboratories operate
terminology used to describe optical appliances, their features and use
legal and ethical considerations for providing optical advice to clients:
duty of care
informed consent
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations of different industry roles
work health and safety
needs of different client groups
children and youth
adults of both genders
older people
measuring techniques and requirements
ways to assist clients select the most appropriate optical appliance, including:
how to assess the clients needs and interpret the requirements of different types of prescription
the principles of cosmetics and fashion to spectacle selection
the important parameters of lifestyle and image in the selection of spectacles
how to select suitable frames for clients and their prescription
how to select a suitable lens and lens treatment for the client
the inter-pupillary distance and multifocal fitting heights
basic facial fitting and adjustment of spectacle frames and mounts
concepts and principles behind the design of spectacle lenses including:
different categories of lenses and frames
examples of current lens designs
how lens aberrations can be corrected or reduced
how to determine and specify appropriate lens design
the design and performance of spectacle lenses
the function of aspheric lens designs
the six main types of aberrations which are encountered in specific lenses
types of spectacle frames and their performance characteristics
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations have not been provided in the workplace. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
back vertex distance (BVD) gauge or rule
frame adjusting tools
opticians lens measure
parallel rule or equivalent
pupillary distance (PD) rule
pupillometer
spectacle frames
spectacle lenses
modelling of industry operating conditions, including provision of services to the general public
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. |
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. |