Approver Guidelines

Role

The role of the Approver is to confirm that the proposed provision will meet the aim of sustaining competent practise in the competency areas defined by the GOC.

The Approver is confirming two things:
The provider is taking a structured and objective based approach to creating the learning outcomes
The outline content of the provision is appropriate to the competency area and will help to sustain competent practise.

How

The Approver will do this online and on screen by reviewing the submission from a provider which includes a CET course outline, learning outcomes, evaluation method and CV's of lecturers/authors.

The Approver's job is not an administrative one. The submission system will permit providers to provide the information required in the form that it is required. The Approver therefore has more time to exercise their professional judgement on the quality of the provision proposed.

The Approver will be aided by a checklist. Approvers will work in pairs and discuss the proposed provision before coming to a decision.

Approvers are selected according to their competency to approve the provision using the agreed selection process.

Relationship with Provider

The Approver is anonymous to the Provider.

If a submission does not meet the requirement, the Approver will provide feedback so the Provider can re-submit.

A submission will be referred to a 3rd Approver if the first 2 do not agree and a majority decision will be taken.

On resubmission, if declined a 2nd time, the submission can be referred to the chairman of the Approval panel on request, whose decision is final.

A submission can only be submitted twice before rejection or referral to chairman.

The Approver must maintain confidentiality at all times.

If there is any conflict of interest, the Approver must decline the offer of reviewing a submission.

Performance standards

Our aim is to provide a rapid and efficient service to Providers and to turn submissions around as quickly as possible.

The contract with the GOC sets the normal service level at 10 working days.

Vantage will pay a penalty of 20 per day for any submission which takes more than 15 working days to review.

An Approver will not be paid for a submission which is not returned to the Scheme Manager within the timescale agreed for that submission.

An Approver should inform the Scheme Manager of any periods of unavailability (e.g. holidays, heavy workloads), or if they believe other demands mean they cannot achieve the 10 day standard.

A Fast Track approval service will be available from 1st January 2005.

Anonymity

The list of Approvers will not be published on cetoptics.com.
The complete list of Approvers will be made available on request.
An Approver's name for a specific submission will not be released to a Provider.

Checklist

The competency area(s) covered
Is the provision appropriate for this competency area?
For example, delivery of practical skills in a workshop setting

The learning objectives (in outcome terms)
Do the learning objectives match the competency area proposed?
Are the objectives outcome/output focused?

The outline of the content
Does the content match the learning objectives?
Is the content at an appropriate level or depth for what is proposed?
Does a manufacturer's presentation offer information on other equivalent products in the market place? Do you want to request to see the slides to be used?

The method(s) of delivery (modality)
Is the modality appropriate for the competency area, content and outcomes proposed?

The target audience (e.g. Dispensing Optician, Optometrist, Specialist)
Is the proposal appropriate and relevant for the target audience?

The name and background of the speakers/presenters of the CET event
Do the people involved have relevant experience?

The points requested for the CET event
Do you agree with the number requested, if no, please state reasons
Do you want to allocate different points for different target groups?

Learning Environment
Are the facilities appropriate?
Will there be appropriate and sufficient equipment ?
Will written support material be provided, if appropriate.

The self-assessment mechanism for evaluating the learning outcomes to be used by each individual.
Is the mechanism appropriate?

Peer Review Groups
Will be processed on an individual basis by the chairman and I-2 approvers.
Further guidelines are being developed for how peer review groups will be handled.

Post Graduate Qualifications, Diplomas, MScs, PhDs
Will be processed on an individual basis by chairman and I-2 approvers following the Scheme Guidelines.

Distance Learning
Is the number of words sufficient? (if text based), see section 2.2
Is the distance learning modality appropriate for the competency area and content proposed? (video, audio, text).
Does the number of MCQs match the points proposed?
Does the proposal include time for VRICS/MCQ's?

Other feedback requested from Approvers
The geographical location
Inform the Scheme Manager if you think this should be offered over a wider geographical area.

Any comments relating to a possible breach of Scheme Guidelines to be fed back to the Scheme Manager.

Points Allocation - from Scheme Guidelines

The points definition will be based on the definitions currently
operating in the voluntary schemes. In general CET points will be allocated as follows:
[a] Attending lectures: 1 credit per learning hour
[b] Attending workshops: 1.5 credits per learning hour
[c] Distance Learning see below

A minimum 2000 word submission, a minimum 60% pass mark:

• 2,000 to 4000 words plus minimum of 6 MCQs = 1 credit
• 4,000 to 6,000 words plus minimum of 12 MCQs = 2 credits
• 6,000 words +, plus minimum of 15 MCQs = 3 credits

Or short answer questions may be used, with a minimum of two words required per answer:

• 2,000 to 4000 words plus minimum of 3 questions = 1 credit
• 4,000 to 6,000 words plus minimum of 6 questions = 2 credits
• 6,000 words +, plus minimum of 8 questions = 3 credits

Web-based CET - see proposal

• 40 minutes (approx 6000 words) of on-screen lecture plus 12 MCQs = 2 credits

CD ROMs

• These are approved with reference to the guidelines for Distance Learning.

[d] Visual Recognition Tests

• 12 pictures/cases each carrying a question = 2 credits

[e] Peer Review Groups

• These will be considered and if approved, points allocated with reference to the guidelines for lectures, workshops and distance learning with reference to the Scheme Guidelines

[f] Diplomas, MSc, PhDs

• These will be considered and if approved, points allocated with reference to the guidelines for lectures, workshops and distance learning with reference to the Scheme Guidelines

[g] Poster Presentations

• These will be considered. Approvers must be satisfied that the poster proposal meets the criteria for approval. Points will be allocated on the successful completion of a number of MCQ questions. Same guidance as the criteria for allocating points to distance learning provision.

Finalising the Approval

To complete the process, the Approvers do one of the following:
Approve as submitted
Request further information from the provider
Refer to Chairman
State number of points agreed with co-approver
State approval period - 12, 24 months or expiry date.
The decision on approval period is based on the learning objectives and content retaining relevance over the period. The normal approval period is 12 months.