Privacy
Privacy: Opticians must ensure that the rules of client privacy and access to their own records are maintained according to the provisions of the provincial legislation Personal Health Information: Privacy And Access. (PHIPPAA – full information available here.) - OANB Standards of Practice.
Sexual Abuse
The Association shall undertake measures for the prevention of the sexual abuse of clients by its members.
Such measures shall include:
(a) education of members about sexual abuse
(b) guidelines for the conduct of members with clients
(c) providing information to the public respecting such guidelines, and informing the public as to the complaint procedures under the NB Optician's Act
Measures may, where appropriate, be taken jointly with other organizations or associations of health professionals. - The NB Optician’s Act
In New Brunswick, health-regulated professionals have an obligation to report sexual abuse of any patient/client by another health professional. Sexual abuse of a patient/client includes behavior or remarks of sexual nature, sexual touching of any kind, sexual intercourse, or any other forms of physical sexual relations between the health professional and a patient/client. Consent is not a listed factor in determining whether sexual abuse by the health professional has occurred.
Equality
As the regulator for NB opticians, OANB is committed to working with opticians to ensure that practice environments are inclusive, tolerant, diverse, safe, and equitable spaces for all.
Cultural Safety
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission report called on all levels of government, in addition to organizations and residents of Canada in general, to take action to mend the legacy of the residential schools and advance the process of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. The 2015 report includes 94 Calls to Action, 31 of which fall under the responsibility of the provincial government, including areas such as child welfare, education, language and culture, and health. The Optician’s Association of New Brunswick is actively involved in promoting safety, better understanding, and equitable treatment of the indigenous peoples of New Brunswick.