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Training to be an Optometrist Prescriber

This section outlines the training requirements for optometrists wishing to become qualified as prescribers. 

The training has three components:

Training Providers

The following institutions offer training in therapeutics:

 
City University, London
 
Training optometrists for therapeutic prescribing
 
The Department of Optometry and Visual Science at City University has been providing modular postgraduate training in ocular therapeutics for over 13 years. The purpose of this training has been to provide the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to enable optometrists to manage ocular disease within the context of the legal and regulatory framework provided by the Opticians Act and relevant medicines legislation. Since 2005, City has run a modular GOC-accredited programme to prepare optometrists for specialist registration at additional supply level or as supplementary prescribers. An independent prescribing module was introduced in 2009.
 

Further information can be obtained by contacting Michelle Hennelly at m.hennelly@city.ac.uk. Website: http://www.city.ac.uk/optometry
 
 
Glasgow Caledonian University
 
Therapeutic Prescribing for Optometrists
 
This course is designed to provide optometrists with a broad education in prescribing practice and to enable practitioners to gain ‘Additional Supply’ or ‘Independent Prescriber’ accreditation.
 
Further information can be obtained by contacting Gunter Loffler at G.Loffler@gcu.ac.uk 
 
Manchester/Aston Universities
 
Independent Prescribing course for Optometrists
 
This is a joint course offered by the University of Manchester and Aston University. The package is being designed to meet the requirements for Independent Prescribing. The course will be largely distance learning and therefore ideal for the busy optometrist who wishes to learn at their own pace. 

 
 

Clinical Placements

Optometrists undertaking clinical placements
Following successful completion of training with a GOC approved institution, those optometrists wishing to apply to the College for the Therapeutics Common Final Assessment in Specialist Qualifications must first undertake a clinical practice placement (s) within the hospital eye service (or specialist general practice) under the supervision of a designated ophthalmologist (the mentor).   Optometrists who previously completed clinical placements for Additional Supply but who chose not to sit the Therapeutics Common Final Assessment cannot carry forward these placements to future courses or assessments.
 
On taking up the clinical placement it is the responsibility of the optometrist to inform the College of Optometrists of the details of the placement by completing and submitting a  Registration of Clinical Placement. 
 
Clinical placement requirements
The following lists the minimum time which must be spent in clinical placement for each qualification:
 
Additional Supply
A minimum of 10 sessions of not less than 3 hours (5 days)
 
Independent Prescribing:
 
 
a)    For those who have already passed Additional Supply
  
b)    For those who have no previous prescribing qualifications
A minimum of 14 sessions of not less than 3 hours (7 days)
 
A minimum of 24 sessions of not less than 3 hours (12 days)
 
 
 
Within the context of the relevant specialism the period of practice-based learning should ensure that the optometrist:
 
  • Is competent in the assessment, diagnosis and management of the ophthalmic conditions for which the optometrist intends to prescribe;
  • Is able to recognise sight-threatening conditions that should be referred;
  • Is able to consult effectively with patients;
  • Is able to monitor the response to treatment, to review both the working diagnosis and to modify treatment or refer/ consult/ seek guidance as appropriate;
  • Makes clinical decisions based on and with reference to the needs of the patient;
  • Is aware of their own limitations and makes clinical decisions based on the needs of the patient;
  • Critically analyses and evaluates his or her ongoing performance in relation to prescribing practice.
Clinical training should be structured to ensure that each trainee is exposed to sufficient numbers of patients presenting with the conditions that he or she will manage therapeutically. In addition, the optometrist should be exposed to a range of ophthalmic conditions so as to develop differential diagnostic skills.
 
Each optometrist should maintain a portfolio (or in the case of Independent Prescribing a logbook) of practice evidence to verify that learning outcomes have been achieved. Details of what the portfolio or logbook should contain for each specialism can be found here: 
 
On successful completion of the requisite period of clinical practice optometrists may apply to sit the Common Final Assessment in Specialist Qualifications.
 

The role and responsibilities of the mentor in the clinical placement
The mentor will provide supervision, support and arrange appropriate clinical experience so that the optometrist can develop links between the theory and practice of prescribing. Furthermore the mentor will facilitate in the achievement of the learning outcomes specified by the General Optical Council (GOC). It is not the mentor’s responsibility to formally assess the learning outcomes since these will be assessed by the University and the College of Optometrists.
 
During an initial meeting with the optometrist the mentor can plan a training programme based on the optometrist’s learning needs. During the placement the mentor should:

  • Facilitate learning by encouraging critical thinking and reflection;
  • Provide dedicated time and opportunities for the trainee to observe how the mentor conducts a consultation with patients and the development of a management plan;
  • Allow opportunities for the trainee to carry out consultations and suggest management and prescribing options, which are then discussed with the mentor;
  • Provide opportunities for case-based discussions to consolidate the learning experience.

As the approach to teaching and learning is developed on an individual basis, it is difficult to predict how much time this will involve for the mentor. However, given that all those undertaking clinical placements are experienced optometrists, it is hoped that this will not be too onerous. The optometrist will not need to spend the entire placement with the mentor, as other clinicians may be better placed to provide some of the learning opportunities. However, the mentor maintains overall responsibility for the trainee and will validate their clinical experience.  

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Therapeutics Common Final Assessment

The College of Optometrists offers a Therapeutics Common Final Assessment (TCFA) for Specialist Qualifications on behalf of the General Optical Council (GOC). Candidates can apply to sit the TCFA once they have successfully completed theoretical training with a GOC approved institution and successfully undertaken the requisite period of clinical practice. Further details on the TCFA can be found here.

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