1 OASA (NPC) Membership Benefit Booklet OASA - OCULARISTS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA OASA is a professional body representing Ocularists. The association is constituted under a Section 21 Company (NPC) and is thus a non- profit organisation. The profession is guided through a Memorandum of incorporation (MOI).
2 ASSOCIATION MEMBER An Association for the profession of Ocularistry in the interests of the public and particularly the members of the Association. CONTENTS OVERVIEW The Ocularist treats all patients in need of all forms of Ocular Prosthetics. YOUR ASSOCIATION OASA SERVICES OASA HISTORY & ACHIEVEMENTS CONTACT DETAILS We strive to uphold Professional Standards and accept appropriate responsibility for enhancing the lives of our patients.
3 OASA - OVERVIEW The Ocularists aim, as a dynamic organisation is to enhance, through an eye prosthesis, not only to restore lost orbital and ocular contours and function but also to bouy the spirit of the patient. OASA values its style of operation, clearly reflected in its code of conduct. PROMOTING EXCELLENCE With the emphasis on integrity, efficiency and striving for high Standards, we support the Profession by providing quality service, relationship networking and embrace ethical conduct among members. The Association aims to endeavour to sustain and further develop the working relationship held with Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and Maxillo Facial surgeons in order to achieve the best possible treatment in holistic rehabilitation of patients.
4 YOUR ASSOCIATION OASA facilitates communication between all levels of stake holders on behalf of the members, taking cognisance of available resources. Delivering support to provide active relationships and recognition, communication and representation with our own members and other Health care professionals, statutory bodies, suppliers, Medical schemes and International Ocularists. Support is provided by ensuring access to medical aid codes, CPD participation. OASA offers professional development. An ombudsman is available for professional and business facilitation. Advice and information is shared with members on ethical matters, CPD Programmes, Product information and Informative Events.
5 OASA SERVICES As an OASA member you have access to; - Practice Advisory Services OASA advises and assists members through business support, by sourcing relevant information with regard to Legal implications pertaining to Standards of Practice, Legislative Memorandums, BBBEE, NHI and Advocacy. - Educational Support OASA offers opportunities through continued professional development events, local and international interaction with other Ocularists and related professionals to enhance current knowledge and highlight new developments in the field. - Annual Congresses Through Annual congresses, OASA presents lectures, seminars, workshops and other related professional information. OASA further endeavours to present meetings, where merited, which serve to disseminate information, investigations, techniques and resources to the members.
6 Stakeholder engagement We further the needs and visions of all the Ocularists as members of OASA, by engaging and building relationships with important key Stakeholders to our Ocularists Association, for example Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and other Ocular and Facial Healthcare Professionals, Government (national and Local), Department of Health, Hospitals and Clinics, Medical Schemes, International Ocularists and professional advisors. Medical Aid OASA negotiates with Medical Schemes, developing relationships with the funders. Publications OASA publishes articles and communication in journals which both promote the profession of Ocularistry and raise awareness of our industry.
7 Member Liaison Newsletters are published monthly to keep all members updated on News and Views. These newsletters are archived on the OASA website in the members secure section. Website: The website is a marketing tool to the public. The website also serves as an archive repository for members under a secure section. There is a comprehensive data base of Individual member details available to the members and public. A Library section carries references, relevant articles to Ocularistry, legislative documents, minutes of meetings, newsletters and the organisations history. Public Relations The PR department endeavours to interact through various publications and communication between OASA, stakeholders and the public. The PR department aims to participate in medically relevant congresses and exhibitions. PR also strives for OASA member services to be made available to the less fortunate and underprivileged communities on a probono basis.
8 Ombudsman s office The ombudsman serves our members and patients without discrimination, with a view to facilitating the resolution of complaints or disputes and advising on ethical concerns and/or dilemmas encountered in professional practice. SAOA Our relationship and subscription to the South African Optometric Association as affiliate members gives OASA access to our own Medical Aid procedure codes, Professional Indemnity and other benefits as a members as members of theirs. SAOA also offers CPD Accredited Activities, through the affiliation with their association. Professional Indemnity Insurance through SAOA This covers negligence, malpractice and National Consumer Council claims.
9 OASA HISTORY As an organization we have excelled in our aim in moving toward being recognized as a Professional body. Our key administrative mandate currently focuses on registering the profession of Ocularistry and the designation of an Ocularist on the NQF (National Qualification Framework) and implementing a formalised training programme. OUR ACHIEVEMENTS Registered a Section 21 Company (NPC) Constituted under Memorandum of Incorporation Affiliate SAOA Membership International membership to OASA Standards of Practice document which has been embraced as the industry standard in South Africa with endorsement by Medical schemes. Procedure Codes Advocacy Programmes Relationships with key stakeholders, fellow professionals and statutory bodies Successful annual Conferences with international participation Code of Ethics Code of Conduct Establishment of Ombudsman s office Registration with South African Qualifications Authority Profession on the National Qualification Framework Continued Professional Development (CPD)
10 CONTACT DETAILS OASA - Ocularists Association of Southern Africa (NPC) Contact Numbers Tel: 081 392 8976 Fax: 086 653 0877 Company Information Registration No. 2005/031380/08 E-mail us: info@oasa.org.za Postal Address P O Box 1266 Olivedale 2158 Physical Address 401 Main Avenue Ferndale Randburg 2194 OASA - Ocularists Association of Southern Africa (NPC) www.oasa.org.za