COBC always welcomes individuals—both opticians and members of the public—who are interested in getting involved in the regulation of opticians in British Columbia.
We are seeking volunteers who are innovative and able to adapt in an ever-changing environment, those who care deeply about public safety, and those with knowledge and skills in areas like governance, leadership, strategy, decision-making, finance, and professional regulation. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, members of racialized or marginalized groups, individuals identifying as LGBTQIA2S+, and individuals with a lived experience of immigrating to Canada as a healthcare professional.
To learn more about the different roles that volunteers play at COBC, and to view our current volunteer opportunities, select an area below:
- Board
- Committees
- Examinations
- Inspections
- Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism
- Focus Groups & Working Groups
Board
The COBC Board is comprised of elected members (Licensed Opticians) and appointed members (members of the public). Learn more about the COBC Board.
Current opportunities:
There are currently no volunteer opportunities with the COBC Board. To add your name to COBC’s volunteer pool for future consideration, contact the COBC team at reception@cobc.ca.
Committees
COBC’s committees provide guidance and direction in five different areas integral to the work of the College: registration, quality assurance, inquiry, patient relations, and discipline. Learn more about COBC’s committees.
Current opportunities:
- Discipline Committee: Registrant (Licensed Optician) Member (Position open until filled)
The Discipline Committee’s role is to hold hearings regarding the conduct or competence of a registrant, when a complaint to the COBC cannot be resolved through alternative dispute mechanisms or remediation. Panels of the Discipline Committee conduct hearings, make findings, determine appropriate penalties if the findings are adverse, and issue written reasons for decisions.- Learn more about COBC’s Discipline Committee.
- Contact COBC’s Manager of Inquiry and Discipline, Meagan Marsh, at mmarsh@cobc.ca to apply for this position.
Examinations
The National Alliance of Canadian Optician Regulators (NACOR) administers the national licensing exams for Canadian opticians on behalf of provincial regulatory bodies like COBC. NACOR relies on opticians licensed in each host province to serve as examiners. Exams are held in BC approximately twice per year.
Current opportunities:
- Examiner (Applications accepted on an ongoing basis)
Examiners are experienced opticians who assess exam candidates during the practical portions of the licensing exams.- Contact NACOR at exam@nacor.ca to apply for this position.
Inspections
COBC occasionally recruits inspectors to assist with inquiry-related matters.
Current opportunities:
There are currently no volunteer opportunities related to inspections. To add your name to COBC’s volunteer pool for future consideration, contact the COBC team at reception@cobc.ca.
Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism
COBC is committed to making the BC healthcare system a safer space for Indigenous peoples by incorporating Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism into the practice of opticianry. Learn more about the work we are doing by visiting our cultural Safety and Humility resource page.
Current opportunities:
There are currently no volunteer opportunities related to Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism. To add your name to COBC’s volunteer pool for future consideration, contact the COBC team at reception@cobc.ca.
Focus Groups & Working Groups
COBC may convene focus groups or working groups as part of our various strategic projects.
Current opportunities:
There are currently no focus groups or working groups seeking applications.