Occupational Guides for Immigrants to B.C. NOC: 3121 REGULATED Optometrists Optometrists Introduction What are the Occupational Guides for Immigrants to B.C.? British Columbia welcomes you! Like you, over 35,000 immigrants from around the world settle in B.C. each year and find work in a variety of professions. The process of finding work can take time, so it is important to understand each of the steps needed to gain employment. If you are preparing to come to B.C., or have just arrived, this guide provides the following information: Section 1 - how this occupation is practiced in B.C. Section 2 - steps to help you prepare before you arrive Section 3 - qualifications needed in B.C. Section 4 - tips to help you find employment Learn More Section 1 Occupational Overview Optometrists may have various job titles Occupation Description Optometrists specialize in examining, diagnosing, treating, managing, and preventing diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and related structures, and can prescribe medications to treat certain eye conditions, such as infections, inflammations, allergies and injuries. Working Conditions In B.C., Opticians work in optical retail outlets or other establishments with optical dispensing departments, or they may be self-employed. Doctor of Optometry Workforce Highlights 2,300 Optometrists in B.C. Annual Salary $21,433-$165,294 Range For more information on wages and workforce see Section 2. This Occupational Guide for Immigrants to B.C. is a resource to help immigrants build a career plan. Occupational qualifications and requirements sometimes change. Planning your career in B.C. will require additional research and direct contact with the appropriate regulatory bodies, professional associations and training institutions. This Occupational Guide is for general information only and is not legal or professional advice. WelcomeBC.ca Occupational Guides for Immigrants to B.C. NOC: 3121 REGULATED Optometrists Section 2 Prepare Before You Come to B.C. Explore Regions in B.C. to Live and Work The demand for each occupation varies throughout the regions of the province. B.C. is a big province, about the same size as Tanzania or Venezuela, and bigger than Pakistan or Turkey. Each region has different employment needs and industries. Use the labour market information and resources in this guide to explore regional employment options. B.C. Labour Market Information To learn more about your chosen profession visit the following websites where you will find information including salaries, regional employment opportunities, and job descriptions. B.C. Job Trend Tracker www.bcjobtrendtracker.ca 7 8 Education Planner www.educationplanner.ca 6 WorkBC www.workbc.ca Working in Canada Tool www.workingincanada.gc.ca 5 BC Wage and Salary Survey 2009 www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/StatisticsBySubject/LabourIncome/Earnings.aspx 3 1 4 2 Prepare Yourself Plan and prepare for your career as much as possible before arriving in B.C. Be sure you understand the provincial job market and professional requirements of your occupation. You may be able to start or complete many of these tasks before you arrive in Canada. B.C. DEVELOPMENT REGIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. Vancouver Island/Coast Mainland/Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay 5. 6. 7. 8. Cariboo North Coast Nechako Northeast Get Started! 1. Learn about the occupation. Know the name of the job in Canada, and make lists of potential employers. 2. Collect documents. Collect copies of relevant documents, and if necessary, have them translated into English. Degrees, diplomas or certificates from universities, colleges or schools Program descriptions related to your studies, and transcripts of grades Reference letters and performance reviews from employers Work descriptions and letters from professional agencies 3. Improve your workplace skills. You may need to improve your skills or knowledge before you start working in B.C. Explore all the resources provided in this guide. 2 Occupational Guides for Immigrants to B.C. NOC: 3121 REGULATED Optometrists Essential Skills Essential skills are the basic workplace abilities you need to succeed on the job. The most important Essential Skills for Optometrists are: document use, oral communication, and critical thinking. The resources below can help you assess and upgrade your essential skills. Essential Skills in the Workplace www.itsessential.ca How Do Your Skills Measure Up? measureup.towes.com/default.asp Test of Workplace Essential Skills www.towes.com English Language Requirements If your first language is not English and you wish to partake in the International Optometric Bridging Program for internationally trained Optometrists, you must complete a standardized test of language fluency. The program requires IELTS 7.5 with no score lower than 7.0, or CLBPT average of 8.0 with no score lower than 8.0. (Canadian Language Benchmarks: www.language.ca). You may need to enroll in training or upgrading programs. Many of the training programs for Optometrists have language level requirements and each vary in the types of tests they accept and the minimum scores required. For example, the Pre-Optometry program at Thompson Rivers University requires TOEFL score of 88 IBT (570 PBT) or an IELTS score of 6.5. Vancouver Island University’s undergraduate program in Sciences, requires TOEFL 80 IBT (550 PBT/213 CBT) or IELTS 6.0; while the University of British Columbia’s Science degree requires TOEFL 90 IBT, IELTS 6.5 or a CAE score of B. Improve Your Language Skills Continue improving your language skills by taking further English and Canadian cultural training, joining organizations, getting involved in different community groups, and attending events where English is the primary language spoken. The more skills, certification, and languages you have, the more attractive you are to a potential employer. English Language and Communication Services DIVERSEcity www.dcrs.ca English Language Services for Adults www.elsanet.org Planning to Work in British Columbia, Canada Workbook www.welcomebc.ca/local/wbc/docs/ BC_Workbook_EN_June4_Fillable.pdf IELTS International English Language Testing System www.ielts.org Immigrant Services Society of BC www.issbc.org MOSAIC www.mosaicbc.com S.U.C.C.E.S.S. www.successbc.ca TOEFL www.toefl.org Welcome BC www.welcomebc.ca 3 Occupational Guides for Immigrants to B.C. NOC: 3121 REGULATED Optometrists Section 3 Qualifications The following information will help you understand how to become qualified to work in your profession in B.C. This is only a guide; you should do more research to make a career plan that will work for you. The College of Optometrists of British Columbia regulates the practice of optometry in B.C., by setting education and competency requirements, practice guidelines and standards of practice, and by monitoring and enforcing these requirements and standards. Registration with the College of Optometrists of British Columbia is required in order to legally practice as an Optometrist in the province and be eligible to bill through the Medical Services Plan. Optometrist Qualifications Getting a licence in British Columbia is a multi-step process. To obtain a professional designation that allows you to be licensed and registered to practice optometry, you are required to complete the following: A minimum of three years of undergraduate education, preferably in the sciences A four-year university program in optometry, accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education Successful completion of the national examination administered by the Canadian Examiners in Optometry Successful completion of the College of Optometrists of British Columbia requirements One year of residency training (optional) Internationally Trained Professionals If you wish to practise optometry in the B.C., you must successfully complete the application process. There are several steps to the process. Learn More Important Links for Optometrists in B.C. Canadian Assessment of Competence in Optometry www.ceo-eco.org Canadian Examiners in Optometry www.ceo-eco.org Canadian Optometric Regulatory Authorities www.cora-acro.com College of Optometrists of British Columbia www.optometrybc.com University of Waterloo School of Optometry www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/iobp Apply directly to the International Optometric Bridging Program (IOBP) at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry Upon successful completion, forward verification of having successfully completed the University of Waterloo IOBP, as well as proof of a passing mark on the final exit exam to the College of Optometrists of B.C. Apply directly to the Canadian Examiners in Optometry (CEO) to challenge the Canadian Assessment of Competence in Optometry (CACO) exam 4 Occupational Guides for Immigrants to B.C. NOC: 3121 REGULATED Optometrists Section 4 Tips to Finding Employment in B.C. Get Help with Your Job Search Finding a job in B.C. may be very different than in your home country. You may need help finding job vacancies, updating your resume, writing cover letters, preparing for interviews, and understanding what B.C. employers are looking for. ! Skills Connect for Immigrants program provide employment-related support services that move internationally educated professionals into the B.C. labour market: www.welcomebc.ca/skillsconnect Employers want experienced workers. Even with the right certification and years of experience in your country, some employers may want you to start in an entry-level job to show your skills before you work in your chosen profession. B.C. Employment and Labour Market Services employment programs: www.labourmarketservices.gov.bc.ca Industry Links These industry organizations provide important information and offer key resources: British Columbia Association of Optometrists www.optometrists.bc.ca Canadian Association of Optometrists www.opto.ca/about-optometry/practicing-in-canada ! ! Look for jobs in the classified sections of newspapers, or use on-line resources like: CraigsList geo.craigslist.org/iso/ca/bc B.C. Association of Optometrists’ Optomart Listings www.optometrists.bc.ca/code/navigate.aspx?Id=22 The Canadian government provides employment and settlement services in China, India, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. The program is called the Canadian Immigrant Integration Program. More information about these pre-arrival services: www.newcomersuccess.ca Build Connections Within Your Profession Many job vacancies are not advertised. Get advice from people you may know in B.C., including relatives, friends or neighbours. Working as a volunteer, attending events, and joining clubs and associations are good ways to meet people, learn about Canadian workplace culture and improve your English language and communication skills. You may benefit from joining local Chambers of Commerce and business clubs, attending business functions, and meeting with unions, contractors, employment agencies, and recruitment specialists. For more information see: www.bcchamber.org This project is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada with support from the Province of British Columbia. WelcomeBC.ca Updated December 4, 2012 5 The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is used in Canada to classify jobs by industry and level of education. If you are applying for an immigration program in Canada, you will need to know the NOC code for your occupation. The NOC Code for Optometrist is 3121. To learn more about NOC 3121, visit www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/QuickSearch. aspx?val65=3121