Professional Identity in Orthoptic Profession: Case Study and Standards for Effective Practice

Running Head: PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY, ORTHOPTIC PROFESSION CASE STUDY 1
PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY, ORTHOPTIC PROFESSION CASE STUDY
Student Name
Institution Affiliation
Facilitator
Course
Date

PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY, ORTHOPTIC PROFESSION CASE STUDY 2
Introduction
In every profession, understanding how things are done within the confines of daily
operations is very important. It enables the workers and all other stakeholders to know what they
are expected to behave and conduct themselves in the line of duty. This paper scrutinizes the
concept of professional identity and the factors influencing it under the bracket of the orthoptic
profession, discusses some of the professional organizations which set standards for orthoptists,
and lastly look into how those standards are enforced to ensure that patients are safe and that
there is effective service delivery.
As part of their journey to becoming orthoptic professionals, learners’ usually develop
some beliefs and attitudes towards this profession. This takes place when they begin to
understand what they are expected and not expected to do in their line of duty and how they are
expected to interact with their fellow orthoptists as part of an interprofessional healthcare team.
Those beliefs, attitudes, and understanding about the orthoptic profession within the confines of
work is known as professional identity (Traynor & Buus, 2016.
Professional identity, therefore, includes both professional and personal development. It
entails the internalization of all the core values and perspectives which are recognized as integral
in the orthoptic profession. Such values start to be recognized as orthoptists continue to learn,
gain experience, reflect, and grow in this profession (Choudhry, Armstrong & Dregan, 2017.
Since internalization of ethical codes of conduct is imperative, orthoptists embrace these
essential values in all their practices while working to promote and improve patient outcome.
Integral to the patients’ outcome is the orthoptists commitment to advocate for quality health

PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY, ORTHOPTIC PROFESSION CASE STUDY 3
care services for susceptible populations, growth, and sustainability in the orthoptic profession
(Marañón & Pera, 2015).
To control and regulate practices in the orthoptic profession, both international and local
organizations have been established to oversee all the practices taken within the boundaries of
this profession. These organizations set rules and standards for both members and learners which
are relevant to moral, ethical and professional considerations to underpin their practices (Brown,
2017). These rules and standards provide a set of principles that are applicable to all the
orthoptists working in different settings. Also, these organizations help in promoting,
disseminating and maintaining high standards of behavior expected of orthoptic professionals as
well those under training as members of the health profession. Consequently, they enhance the
reputation and good standing of orthoptic professionals within their scope of practice.
Among the prominent agencies set to oversee the operations and practices of orthoptists
is the International Orthoptic Association which was established in 1962 (Rowe & Noonan,
2017). The main reason behind the establishment of this organization was to promote the art of
orthoptics globally, support and provide information to other local bodies and individual
orthoptists, and help improve and maintain quality service standards within the orthoptic
profession (Santamaria, 2016). This association has continued to expand as a result of more
countries realizing its benefits and joining it. Locally, there is the Australian Orthoptic Board
which is the main registered body for Australian orthoptists. Mainly, the AOB has been
regulating the profession of orthoptics to protect the interests of the patients. It is also the body in
charge of registering qualified orthoptists and investigating the professional conduct and fitness
of the registered orthoptists.