Working as an optometrist in canada with Dr Barilee Idemudia
By berrysmotivation - June 18, 2017
Meet Dr Barilee Idemudia. She has done some research and outlined the pathway to get licensed as
an OD in Canada for eye doctors interested in practicing in Canada.
I obtained
my Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. After
which I went to Nigeria to do my internship and national service. During that time, I knew I didn't want to
practice in Nigeria. I wanted more. The doctor of optometry programme
encompasses a lot and I wanted to go the whole nine yards. I wanted to do my
residency and specialize in low vision, neuro-optometry or sports vision and I
knew I won't get that in Nigeria; not at the moment (let's be honest). So I
made a list of countries that would give me the most I wanted from optometry.
I worked
in the U.K as an extern student in my fourth year in University and I didn't
exactly like the practice.
First, the
optometrists in the U.K, aren't eye doctors, they don't get the OD degree it's
a Bsc. Programme in the U.K. which is 3years, and one year for clinical
internship as compared to the 6-year OD programme. The scopes of both are also
very different. In the U.K, I did more of refraction, contact lens fitting and
occasionally, slit lamp examination. I didn't want just that, I wanted more. So
it was either Australia, US or Canada. Long story short, I picked Canada. Now
the question was how do I get there and start working as an optometrist. The Optometry practice scope in Canada makes me excited.
So first
thing, I went through the easiest route, finding a school and doing a course. I
also picked a course that would be useful for me (I studied health care
management). As the founder of the Sight Rescue Initiative (an NGO aimed at
providing primary eye care for developing countries) I felt the HCM programme
would give me more health managerial knowledge to run the NGO.
I also did
lots of research on the licensing exams for Optometry in Canada which are
outlined below:
FORAC
(Federation of Optometric Regulatory Authorities of Canada) EVALUATING EXAM
-
You
complete a WES (World Education Service) credential application for FORAC.
With
this process, you go to wes.org and apply for your transcripts to be assessed
for professional licensing. All the steps are on the site, you get your
transcripts sent from your school to the
address on the Wes site and after Wes receives the complete documents, they
assess your credentials to know if it is an equivalent of the Canadian degree.
Most OD programmes are equivalents to be honest.
-
You
complete a pre-registration application to FORAC credentialing office available
on the FORAC website. forac-faroc.ca.
Then FORAC credentialing panel makes a recommendation and informs the
provincial optometric regulatory body identified by applicants and the college
registration committee makes a decision.
-
Then
the applicant is referred by the registration committee to the Touchstone
institute to complete the evaluation exam. I guess this exam was formerly
called PLA( prior learning assessment exam).
-
Based
on the evaluating exam score, the applicant is directed by the registration
committee to either go straight to write the CACO (Canadian assessment of
competence in Optometry) which is if your score is like super fantastic or you
are referred to go into bridging one(8 weeks of intense education) or bridging
two (48 weeks long) which is offered by the university of Waterloo school of
optometry and vision science.
-
When
passed, the applicant is directed by the registration committee to complete an
orientation programme and after some documentation you get registered.
I
know it looks lengthy and tasking but it's all worth it in the end, plus you
get your money's worth. You also enjoy your practice to the max, performing all
you learnt in school and doing all that is required of an optometrist. The pay is also very good.
I hope this gives you an idea on all it takes. Best of luck if you decide to go through the process.
Cheers
6 comments
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis post is very helpful and informative. Most people don't even realize they are being tested by an Optometrist and simply call them the optician. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information.
ReplyDelete1. Do I have to come to Canada to start these processes?
2. Is the PLA exam and FORAC done online?
3. How can I get materials that will prepare me for the CACO exam?
4. What type of visa should I apply for?
5. Can I get an invite from the university
Thanks for your Anticipated reply.
Thank you so much.. this is really helpful.
DeleteThank you so much.. this is really helpful.
DeleteThank you so much.. this is really helpful.
Delete