Professionalism and Professional Standards for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians is a CPD course designed for eye care professionals practising in New Zealand who want to strengthen professional conduct, accountability, and safe clinical and dispensing practice. It is particularly relevant for practitioners facing complaints, competence concerns, or fitness to practise processes, but is equally valuable for those seeking to maintain high professional standards in everyday clinical and retail environments.

The course explores the core attributes of professionalism, including integrity, communication, accountability, boundaries, documentation, and patient-centred care. Participants will align their practice with expectations set by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board and the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, with a focus on real-world risks such as poor communication, inadequate documentation, boundary concerns, conflicts of interest, and inappropriate commercial influence. The course also addresses professional behaviour during complaints, investigations, and competence reviews.

Through case-based learning, reflective tools, and practical strategies, participants will develop the skills to demonstrate professionalism in challenging situations, respond appropriately to concerns, and evidence insight, reflection, and remediation. Cultural safety, including Māori health perspectives and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, is integrated throughout to ensure practice is respectful, equitable, and aligned with New Zealand healthcare expectations.