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 course outline, learning outcomes, evaluation method and CVs 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 may 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 or provide additional information.

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.

The Approver must update Vantage Technologies on a regular basis of any changes to their conflict of interest.

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 is available. This will review an approval and reach a decision within 3 days.

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?
• CET provision may be approved for Optometrists, Dispensing Optician. On occasions the provision may be suitable for Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians and Specialist Opticians, but this will be exceptional. Approvers should refer to the Chairman if there is any doubt in this area.

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?
• Approvers should be satisfied that the tutor : delegates ratio is appropriate for workshops

Peer Review Groups

• Will be processed on an individual basis by the 2 approvers.
• Further guidelines are available on peer review groups. (see Appendix 1 within Principles and Requirements)

Post Graduate Qualifications, Diplomas, MScs, PhDs

• Taught elements may qualify for CET points
• Will be processed on an individual basis by 2 approvers following the Principles and Requirments.

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? Approvers may request to see the MCQs
• Does the proposal include time for VRICS/MCQ's?

Any comments relating to a possible breach of Scheme Guidelines to be fed back to the Scheme Manager. Please refer to the section 3.1 of the Principles and Requirements.

Points Allocation - from Principles and Requirements

The over-riding principle is that the approver(s) will consider the content of the CET, and satisfy themselves through an abstract that the stated learning outcomes for the CET are being achieved. The intention is that the abstract will ensure that the content of the event will deliver the learning outcomes appropriate for the target audience.

CET points will be allocated as follows:

1. Attending lectures 1 point per learning hour
2. Providers may offer the option to users of gaining additional points by completing (post-lecture) additional learning, e.g by further reading or a virtual lecture, provided further MCQ’s are answered correctly.
3. Attending workshops 2 points per learning hour

   This is demonstrated as a session that requires demonstration and application of techniques and principles on optometric, ophthalmic dispensing and specialist procedures and instrumentation. Due to the nature of such events there is a required ratio of no more than 1 demonstrator to 6 participants and adequate levels of appropriate equipment must be provided.

4. Distance Learning

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

   • 2,000 to 4,000 words plus minimum of 6 MCQs = 1 points
   • 4,000 to 6,000 words plus minimum of 12 MCQs = 2 points
   • 6,000 words + plus minimum of 15 MCQs = 3 points
   Or short answer questions may be used, with a minimum of two words required per answer:
   • 2,000 to 4,000 words plus minimum of 3 questions = 1 point
   • 4,000 to 6,000 words plus minimum of 6 questions = 2 points
   • 6,000 words plus minimum of 8 questions = 3 points

5. Video-based CET (This would included DVD/Webcast/Virtual Lectures/Video Conference)
   • 45 minutes (approx 6,000 spoken words) of for example on screen lecture plus 12 MCQs = 2 points)
   Alternatively providers may be asked to note that a learning hour can include for example, up to three dofferent lectures e.g 2 x 6 MCQs or 3 x 4 MCQs
6. CD ROMs (written word)
   • These are approved with reference to the guidelines for Distance Learning
7. Visual Recognition Tests
   • 12 pictures/cases each carrying a question = 2 points
8. Peer Review Groups

   These will be considered and if approved, points allocated with reference to the guidelines for video-based CET i.e.

   Discussion : 45 minutes

   6 MCQs = 1 point (see Appendix 1)

9. Taught Diplomas

   MSc points are based on same requirements for lectures, workshops and distance learning (in line with the Principles and Requirements)

10. Poster Presentations

    Approver 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 (See Appendix 2 of the Principles and Requirements)

11. Audio CET/Podcast/Audio Download/Audio CD/Cassettes

    Audio 45 minutes, 6 MCQs = 1 CET point

12. Hybrid – where the submission is a hybrid of audio, video, written words the CET provider should state which points are attached to which part.

MCQs

MCQs should offer a question and a minimum of four answers per MCQ.

VRICS

VRICS can be offered as an actual event or as an on-line activity. Answers need to be in the form of MCQs.

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.