24 October 2024
We know that making the transition to qualification comes with some challenges, as well as opportunities. Our very early career members might be feeling a well-deserved sense of achievement alongside excitement about qualifying, but also some nervousness about practising with less supervision.
The AOP’s new dedicated page pulls together all the resources and services that newly-qualified membersmight find useful into one place, so it’s easy for them to find relevant support.
In addition to medical malpractice insurance, AOP membership offers a range of support and resources for members. Whether it’s independent employment law advice, support with clinical questions, access to career mentoring outside the workplace, or gaining an understanding of what our Peer Support Line can offer in order to support health and wellbeing, being a member at the start of your career has many benefits.
In addition to medical malpractice insurance, AOP membership offers a range of support and resources for members. Whether it’s independent employment law advice, support with clinical questions, access to career mentoring outside the workplace, or gaining an understanding of what our Peer Support Line can offer in order to support health and wellbeing, being a member at the start of your career has many benefits.
In putting this resource together, I spoke to our employment law team who identified common areas that newly-qualified optometrists might be more likely to seek support on. These include help understanding their employment rights and obligations, and understanding employment contracts – especially if they’re thinking about moving to a new job or aren’t sure about any training tie-ins. Further reasons that newly-qualified members might seek support from the AOP employment law team include workplace discrimination or harassment, maternity leave and pay, or getting the work-life balance right.
Our clinical team has also answered a range of common questions about what to do in clinical scenarios that newly-qualified members might encounter in practice, including what to do if a patient refuses a referral, or doesn’t attend a follow-up appointment, what to do if a patient doesn’t meet the vision standards for driving, plus many more.
The page includes some anonymous legal case studies, which demonstrate how our legal team has helped pre-registration and newly-qualified members in tricky situations, and offer points of learning to help others understand how to avoid common mistakes. The main message is – if you’re worried or have questions, get in touch with the AOP at the earliest opportunity.
I hope that awareness of ongoing support from the AOP will help newly-qualified members to plan ahead and feel confident that the AOP is here for them throughout their career, right from the beginning, and during those transition milestones. Members tell us that their membership offers a sense of protection for them and peace of mind for their career. The AOP’s expert legal and clinical advice and guidance is independent, and we are here to serve our members’ best interests, whatever their mode of practice or place of work.
I would recommend members approaching qualification look out for our emails and messages on social media around exam dates and results days. We get in touch with each cohort of student members prior to taking their exams and then on the Objective Structured Clinical Examinations results day to remind them about the support and guidance available.
See all of the AOP’s resources and information for newly-qualified members here.
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