Nancy Hunter

I am delighted to be a trainee optometrist in this island store. I have two supportive supervisors, Tanzila and Zeeshan, with whom I feel I can develop the necessary skills to complete my registration period. It really is a very exciting time.

In this independent practice I continue providing a low vision service to the local community. The patient group here has more complex vision loss so I have been able to widen my scope of practice.

This was a stop gap whilst I looked for a better employer partner for my Optometry course. It was interesting to revisit an independent practice and use new technology like digital measuring mirrors and dispense lenses designed with artificial intelligence.

I was responsible for the smooth running of the clinic and creating a welcoming atmosphere to encourage the clientele to use the service. I raised the profile of the clinic locally and inducted new volunteers. It was a real privilege to be involved in this charity work.

I returned to a Specsavers franchise to pursue my ambition of completing a masters in Optometry at UCLAN. Alongside my professional role , I was the in-store trainer for the team- a role which utilised my recent experience in optical education. A highlight during my time with this franchise was the opportunity to carry out low vision assessments, putting into practise the theory which I learned on the ABDO low vision honours course.

I was employed by City University London to teach optometry students ophthalmic dispensing skills. This was a rewarding role in which I had the opportunity to share my knowledge and equip the next generation of optometrists with some dispensing clinical pearls.

As a member of the National Clinical Committee I had an opportunity to shape the direction of the Dispensing Optician profession. This is an exciting time for the industry with the pace of change unprecedented and given that change creates opportunity , the NCC was charged with capturing these opportunities and broadening the scope of practice for Dispensing Opticians. The NCC has been disbanded and will soon evolve into the ABDO research and clinical committee (ARCC), which I have been invited to apply for.

I was delighted to be working for Optegra in a role which has further extend my clinical experience. This private eye hospital provides cataract surgery , elective lens replacement surgery for a determined refractive outcome, lasik , smile and presbyond laser procedures. I was part of the diagnostics team , so my primary activity was to complete the comprehensive tests which supply the data for a treatment plan as well as completing post-op follow up checks.

Secondary to my role in diagnostics , I also worked on the day ward , preparing patients for theatre , discharging them following surgery and performing the role of external circulator.

I was initially employed by Portsmouth University as a part-time , hourly paid lecturer to deliver the Dispensing and Ophthalmic lenses module on the Optometry degree. I found this to be an interesting, challenging and rewarding digression from my normal employment. The opportunity to expand my knowledge in my subject area has been invaluable and I fostered a good rapport with the students and my fellow colleagues. I had to improve my IT skills , learning how to construct slide show presentations and how to navigate the digital learning platform.

This progressed to a permanent, part time academic contract with the University and optometry evolved into the broader brief of Vision Science, providing ophthalmic education to other health related undergraduates and nurses working in ophthalmic eye departments.

Having lost faith in the corporate nature of Vision Express and after taking a 12 month sabbatical from my DO role I resumed my professional role with this franchise based multi national company. It has been interesting to see how this company ticks and the clever business model which is party to its success. I was part of a small team setting up a new low vision service at this store and it was a pleasure to be able to bring my experience to this endeavour.

I accepted a role in the ophthalmology department in Royal South Hants hospital, Southampton and then St.Mary's treatment centre, Portsmouth to expand my clinical experience. I have worked on the cataract day ward admitting patients onto the ward . I prepared patients for surgery by instilling mydriasert tablets to dilate the pupil and iodine and anaesthetic drops too. I also worked in outpatients , completing the pre-op assessment which involves use of the biometry machine to calculate the power of the IOL, recording basic visual acuity scores, taking blood pressure readings, autorefraction and IOP score. I have also worked as part of a triage team, receiving referrals from community optometrists and GPs. This work experience has been very useful in so many ways. It has introduced me to the rigours of a clinical routine and I have learned the importance of patient dignity and confidentiality as well as infection control and the need for accuracy and good record keeping.

I was awarded this promotion as a result of my experience supervising trainee dispensing opticians in the practice and my passion for training and education. I was given a cohort of approx 15 students to guide through their studies . The role required me to attend head office where I was part of the team delivering revision sessions to prepare students for their practical examinations and submission of their case studies. The students were in various locations on the south of England and I maintained communication with them via e-mail and with the use of social media communication groups where I would promote discussions of optically interesting threads. In this way, I fostered a supportive and nurturing environment and a resource the students could call upon, when needed.

• My role as a Dispensing Optician with Vision Express was multifaceted but often patient facing. I was involved with most aspects of the customer journey from booking appointments to the pre-screening tests which involved the use of an auto-refractor, tonometer, digital retinal camera and field test. Furthermore I would dispense appropriate lens and frame combinations to the prescriptions provided by my optometrist colleagues. I understand what the numbers in a prescription mean and how best to translate them into a useful and attractive appliance.
• Due to my experience and GOC registration I often trained and supervised my non-qualified optical assistant colleagues, supporting them in their dispensing duties.
• Due to my diplomatic nature and extensive optical knowledge I was often called upon to help our most demanding patients. I would almost always resolve a complaint to a happy conclusion.
• Used focimeter to measure and record patients' lens power.
• Accurately measured bridge and eye size, vertex distance, temple length, papillary distance and optical centres of eyes.
• Helped patients select frames according to desired style and colour.
• Recommended lenses, lens coatings and frames to suit client needs.
• My head office role of Professional Development Tutor led me to be involved in the delivery of learning and development of trainee dispensing opticians. I am a natural mentor.
• Educated patients about proper contact lens care, visual hygiene and safety.
• Carried out contact lens insertion and removal tuition .

I was employed as a Dispensing Optician for this local, independent Optician . This was an invaluable role as it allowed me to concentrate on the dispensing needs of my customers, as I was free of the management responsibilities of running a store.

I set a new, high standard of patient care, on account of my patience, dedication and commitment to exceeding customer expectations.

I worked closely with the in house laboratory to manufacture the spectacles to exacting standards and ensuring they looked very good as well as provided the correct visual correction.

• Conducted visual field tests to measure field of vision.
• Fabricated lenses to meet prescription specifications.
• Managed patients' primary eye care health with professionalism and skill.

This was my first job as a newly qualified Dispensing Optician and I was given a fledgling store, as was the norm back then. I was responsible for the day to day running of the store , providing a competent optical service to the local community.

As a manger I endeavoured to maximize the profitability of the shop and minimize losses. Overseeing all aspects of the customer journey and ensuring staff were motivated and trained to carry out their optical assistant duties.

• Provided complete patient eye care, refraction and eyeglass and contact lens distribution services.

I was privileged to complete my apprenticeship with a great optical team in Chichester. The store was popular and well attended by clientele who supplied a plethora of unusual prescriptions to develop my skills . I attended college in London as a day release student and this was complemented by the practical experience in store. This opportunity gave me a firm foundation upon which my optical career has grown from strength to strength.