Circular 14/2021/TT-BYT job codes, standards and pay grades of public sector optometrists

CIRCULAR

Specifying job codes, standards and pay grades of public sector optometrists

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Pursuant to Decree No. 75/2017/ND-CP dated June 20, 2017 of the Government defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

Pursuant to Decree No. 115/2020/ND-CP dated September 25, 2020 of the Government regulating recruitment, employment and management of public employees;

After obtaining the unanimous opinion of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Official Letter No. 3476/BNV-CCVC dated July 18, 2021 on the promulgation of the Circular specifying job codes, standards and pay grades of public sector optometrists;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Organization and Personnel,

The Minister of Health hereby promulgates the Circular specifying job codes, standards and pay grades of public sector optometrists.

Article 1. Scope of regulation and subjects of application

1. This Circular specifies job codes, standards and pay grades of public sector optometrists.

2. This Circular applies to optometrists who are public employees of public health facilities.

Article 2. Job title and code

Optometrist (Class III), code: V.08.11.30.

Article 3. Responsibilities of an Optometrist (Class III):

1. Monitor, analyze, diagnose refractive and binocular vision dysfunction, vision rehabilitation, and common eye conditions

a) Diagnose, make eyeglass prescriptions, and manage refractive errors;

b) Early detect eye complications due to refractive errors and refer patients to ophthalmologists;

c) Diagnose and detect binocular vision anomalies using vision correction methods, prisms, and eye exercises;

d) Diagnose and rehabilitate vision using optical and non-optical devices, along with eye exercises;

dd) Independently measure, test, and make contact lens prescriptions; early diagnose and detect complications caused by contact lenses and refer patients to ophthalmologists;

e) Perform eye examination techniques: Examine the anterior part, posterior part, and retina, detect eye disorders and refer patients to ophthalmologists;

g) Perform paraclinical techniques in ophthalmology: Visual field testing, corneal topography, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and other techniques;

h) Coordinate with ophthalmologists to monitor treatment and care for diseases related to refraction, binocular vision, and visual impairment;

i) Implement and coordinate measures to prevent and control blindness in relation to refraction, binocular vision, visual impairment, and common eye conditions.

2. Follow up and take primary eye care

a) Provide first aid and emergency treatment for eye injuries, burns, and complications from eye medication and refer patients to ophthalmologists;

b) Coordinate with ophthalmologists for examinations and paraclinical tests to detect vitreous-retinal diseases and glaucoma;

c) Conduct examinations to detect cataracts and refer patients to doctors for treatment; adjust eyeglasses after cataract surgery;

d) Follow up and detect primary eye care problems, track patient outcomes, and participate in consultations with ophthalmologists.

3. Communicate, consult, and educate on refractive errors and eye care in the community

a) Participate in developing programs and documents on communication and health education regarding refractive disorders and binocular vision dysfunction;

b) Organize communication and health education drives on refractive errors and binocular vision dysfunction;

c) Provide health consultation and education on refractive errors and binocular vision dysfunction; advise patients or their families on eye health conditions and appropriate eye care services;

d) Consult and guide eye care for blind patients and advise on blindness services;

dd) Develop and implement a school refractive prevention program;

e) Develop plans, organize programs, and coordinate with ophthalmologists to screen for refractive diseases - errors, and binocular vision dysfunction in the community.

4. Conduct scientific training and research

a) Participate in compiling professional documents; develop training programs; formulate professional regulations and technical processes in the assigned field;

b) Participate in scientific research projects;

c) Involve in or apply inventions, improve quality in the care of refractive and binocular vision patients, vision rehabilitation, and vision correction treatment;

d) Participate in specialized training courses in refraction and primary eye care.

Article 4. Job standards of an Optometrist (Class III)

1. Ethical standards

a) Be dedicated to the cause of caring for, protecting, and improving public health;

b) Strictly comply with the code of conduct of health care practitioners;

c) Practice professionally in accordance with professional regulations, rules, technical procedures, and other law regulations;

d) Continuously research and study to improve qualifications and expertise;

dd) Uphold virtues of honesty, solidarity, respect, and cooperation with colleagues.

2. Education attainment and improvement standards

Graduate from a university or higher with a major in ophthalmology.

3. Expertise and professional standards

a) Understand the Party's viewpoints, policies, and guidelines, as well as the State's policies and laws on protecting, caring for, and improving public health;

b) Possess knowledge of health, eye diseases, refractive errors, and expertise in the use of diagnostic and treatment protocols for refractive errors;

c) Perform techniques of optometry, refractive error correction, and eyeglass prescription;

d) Demonstrate skills in health consulting and education, and effective communication with patients and the community;

dd) Exhibit skills in training, coaching, scientific research, cooperation with colleagues, and career development;

e) Possess basic information technology skills; be able to use foreign languages at a level equivalent to Vietnamese Language Proficiency Framework Level 3 or ethnic minority languages, as required by the job position for public employees working in regions home to ethnic minorities;

Article 5. Principles of job appointment and pay grading

1. Principles of appointment of an optometrist

a) The appointment and pay grade of an optometrist (Class III) must be based on the job position the public employee is holding and the tasks assigned to him/her;

b) When appointing and assigning pay grades to an optometrist (Class III), it is not allowed to combine the salary increase or promotion of such public employee therewith;

2. Appointment and pay grading of an optometrist

a) Optometrist Grade III as specified in this Circular is subject to the Professional Salary Schedule applicable cadres and public employees of State-owned enterprises (Schedule 3) issued together with Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on salaries of cadres, civil servants, public employees, and armed forces’ servicemen. This job title shall enjoy the salary coefficient applicable to Type A1 public employees, which ranges from 2.34 to 4.98.

b) Pay grades of public employees holding other health care positions who are appointed as optometrists as specified in this Circular shall follow the guidelines in Clause 2, Section II of Circular No. 02/2007/TT-BNV dated May 25, 2007 of the Ministry of Home Affairs guiding pay grading during rank promotion and change, and job reclassification of civil servants and public employees in accordance with applicable law regulations.

Article 6. Implementation provisions

1. Effect

This Circular takes effect on November 01, 2021.

2. Implementation organization

a) The Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, Government-attached agencies, People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, and non-business units under the Ministry of Health shall base their recruitment, employment, and management of optometrists in public health facilities on the regulations outlined in this Circular.

b) Non-public health facilities may apply the regulations specified in this Circular for the recruitment, employment, and management of their human resources.

c) In cases where the references in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, the new documents shall prevail.

3. Problems that arise during the implementation of this Circular should be reported to the Ministry of Health for summarization, consideration and resolution thereof./.