Changes are planned for a programme that supports optometry students in the transition from undergraduate optometry students to newly-qualified optometrists.
Johnson & Johnson Vision’s STEP programme, which has operated for more than a decade, supports young optometrists to apply the content they have learnt through university once with their patients.
Robyn Marsden, optometrist and professional education and development manager at Johnson & Johnson Vision, explained: “We get them to think about why they are using that technique, how they are communicating, and why they are doing what they are doing in terms of their routines.”
The programme covers the front and back of the eye, binocular vision, dispensing, and low vision.
Marsden shared: “The STEP programme is changing. It has been around for a very long time, but the way optometrists are qualifying is changing in the UK.”
The Scheme for Registration will continue for a number of years, but different routes to qualification are emerging.
Marsden explained that the company is “reigniting” the free STEP programme to ensure it can support optometry students “whatever their route to qualification.”
The newly refreshed programme will launch in October with online content, Zoom webinars, and face-to-face courses.
“We’re changing things slightly to ensure that it is really targeted to what an individual student feels like they need help with,” Marsden said. She added: “Every student can choose how they want to gain credits to move through the STEP programme.”
Students will be able to choose both the type of learning and the topics they cover as they move through the programme.
Once students gain enough credits in STEP Bronze at undergraduate level, they will move to STEP Silver, and finally STEP Gold, which will support them through their final exams.
In previous years, students have been able to join the programme from their second year of university. Once relaunched, students will be able to join at a later stage and catch up if they have not already signed up.
“We’re making it as inclusive as we can to really ensure that any student who wants to do the best they can in their career – we're there to support them,” Marsden said.
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