Supervision

R7.1.1

Where a registered dispensing optician accepts employment from an unregistered person or business, it should be recognised that the method of practice may raise legal and ethical considerations. It should be noted that under such employment, the registered dispensing optician retains full professional responsibility for their own practice and conduct. The dispensing optician must ensure that they are able to comply at all times with the GOC Standards of Practice for Dispensing Opticians within that working environment.

R7.2.1

An unregistered seller is not subject to regulation by the General Optical Council (GOC). However, a registered dispensing optician employed by, or working within, such a business remains fully accountable for compliance with GOC Standards, and for adherence to relevant professional body (ABDO) guidance. The presence of a registered dispensing optician on the premises, whether full-time or part-time, does not mean that all services offered are provided by registered personnel. It is misleading to suggest otherwise to the public. Where professional titles are used, these should clearly identify the registered dispensing optician by name, qualifications and hours of attendance.

In accordance with the Sale of Optical Appliances Order 1984, prescriptions for the following categories of patients must be dispensed by, or under the supervision of, a qualified and registered medical practitioner, optometrist or dispensing optician:
– Children under the age of 16
– Persons registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired

Under the Opticians Act 1989 and associated GOC rules, contact lenses may only be supplied against a valid contact lens specification by registered optometrists, registered dispensing opticians, registered medical practitioners, or businesses operating under the supervision of a GOC-registered optometrist or dispensing optician.

R7.3.1

The GOC Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians require that supervision is undertaken appropriately and in compliance with the GOC Standards of Practice 9. Pre-registration trainees and unregistered colleagues must be supervised when carrying out any delegated functions. This includes, but is not limited to, dispensing to children under the age of 16 and to patients who are registered sight impaired or severely sight impaired.

When supervising colleagues, the registrant remains professionally responsible for the care provided to patients. To comply with legal and professional requirements, the supervising registrant must have the appropriate skills, qualifications and experience for the functions being delegated, must be available to intervene if necessary, and must ensure that patients are cared for safely and appropriately at all times.

R7.5.1

Individual supervisors of registered student dispensing opticians and trainee contact lens opticians must be approved by ABDO and comply with the following requirements

1. Follow the guidance as laid out in the supervisor guidance booklets
a. For supervisors of Student Dispensing Opticians studying on the 2015 syllabus
b. For supervisors of Student Dispensing Opticians studying on the 2023 syllabus
c. For supervisors of Trainee Contact Lens Opticians studying on the 2019 syllabus
d. For supervisors of Trainee Contact Lens Opticians studying on the 2024 syllabus 

2. Undertake to give continuous personal supervision to the trainee and accept full responsibility for their actions – i.e. be on the premises whilst the trainee is attending any patient and be in a position to intervene if required

3. Ensure the practice facilities and equipment are to the standard normally required for providing a full dispensing service. This includes that the practice has the required equipment as laid out in the ABDO Practice Visit Guidance
a. For student Dispensing Opticians
b. For Trainee Contact Lens Opticians

4. Ensure that the trainee receives practical experience in all areas of practice covered in the GOC Outcomes for Registration

5. Give the trainee the opportunity to attend appropriate tutorial and revision courses.

6. Ensure that both the supervisor and the trainee are familiar with the practical examination syllabus

7. Observes and comments on the trainee carrying out tasks related to the role and syllabus

8. Permit a representative of ABDO to visit the premises at any time considered reasonable by appointment. ABDO would expect to visit each student along with their main supervisor during their time in practice training. The purpose of the visit is to verify that the working environment is conducive to training and to support the student and supervisor as much as possible. The ABDO representative would also be required to verify the authenticity of completed case records and therefore supervisors should ensure that procedures are in place to allow the auditing process and that they have complied with General data Protection Regulations (i.e. that all related patients are aware that case records may be checked by ABDO for authenticity).

R7.6.1

Students must comply with the GOC standards for optical students.

ABDO guidance for students can be found here.