Locum optometrist guide

How you can excel as a locum optometrist in 2025 and beyond

Selina Powell

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Locum optometrist guide: The key to success

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What I have learned…

Panelists share their professional epiphanies and light bulb moments on what it takes to succeed as a locum optometrist

In partnership with:

Locuming

31 Jul 5 min read

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The truth about torics

Johnson & Johnson Vision professional affairs consultant, Nadia Siddiqi, outlines key considerations for locums when fitting toric contact lenses

In partnership with:

Locuming

31 Jul 5 min read

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The art of negotiation

Locum optometrists share their tips for negotiating pay as a self-employed optometrist

In partnership with:

Locuming

31 Jul

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Returning to work

OT hears from optometrist, Aaminah Khan, about how working as a locum has given her the flexibility to shape her own career path after having children

In partnership with:

Locuming

31 Jul

Getting to grips with referrals

Locum optometrists share their guidance on making safe and effective referrals to secondary care

In partnership with:

Locuming

31 Jul 6 min read

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Establishing trust with new patients

Quickly building rapport is a key skill for locum optometrists who are often seeing patients for the first time. OT shares communication tips

In partnership with:

Locuming

31 Jul 6 min read

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Beyond a name tag

OT receives insight from locum optometrists about how to build meaningful professional connections in practice

In partnership with:

Locuming

31 Jul

Take exam

Exclusive CPD exam for locums

This clinical interpretation CPD exam highlights different considerations for successful multifocal contact lens wear. Take it today to gain one CPD point

Take exam

Locum optometrists work every day to support eye care in their communities

Robyn Marsen, Johnson & Johnson Vision professional education and development manager, UK/Ireland

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Find the Locum optometrist guide inside OT’s August/September edition

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Locum optometrist guide: Wellbeing at work

Healthy habits

Optometrists discuss how they navigate the unique pressures a locum role presents and the daily steps they take to preserve their wellbeing

In partnership with:

Locuming

29 May 2024 5 min read 1

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Supporting wellbeing at work

Head of clinical and regulatory at the AOP, Henry Leonard, on how practices can provide a safe and healthy workplace for locum optometrists

In partnership with:

Locuming

29 May 2024 6 min read

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Let’s talk about… Presbyopia

Johnson & Johnson’s Clair Bulpin on the tell-tale signs to look for in emerging presbyopes – and how eye care professionals can support this patient group

In partnership with:

Locuming

29 May 2024 6 min read

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The happiness alphabet

An A to Z of daily changes to boost your health and happiness

In partnership with:

Locuming

29 May 2024 12 min read

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A “hidden pandemic” in the spotlight

Optometrist Neil Retallic discusses his PhD research that will examine mental wellbeing and levels of burnout among optometrists in the UK

In partnership with:

Locuming

29 May 2024

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The AOP Peer Support Line in focus

A look at a confidential peer-to-peer helpline for optometrists facing challenges at any stage of their career

In partnership with:

Locuming

29 May 2024 5 min read

Step change

From a brisk walk at lunch to stretches during a tea break, OT explores simple methods for staying physically healthy at work

In partnership with:

Locuming

29 May 2024

Locums play a crucial role in the provision of eye care services to patients across the UK and have unique educational needs. Johnson & Johnson are committed to supporting eye care professionals to be able to provide their patients with excellent eye care. We are delighted to continue our partnership with the AOP to provide tailored support to locums.

Rachel Hiscox, professional education and development lead at the Vision team at Johnson & Johnson

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Locum optometrist guide: Stepping up

The how-to of handovers

OT asks experts for their tips on how locum optometrists can provide comprehensive and streamlined patient handovers

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Locuming

14 Apr 2023

Planning ahead

From route planning to studying referral pathways, OT finds out how locum optometrists can lay the groundwork for a successful day in practice

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Locuming

14 Apr 2023 6 min read

Balancing the books

How can locum optometrists keep their finances in shipshape condition? OT approached David Davies, of TWD Accountants, for his thoughts. Plus – locums share their tips on workload planning

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Locuming

14 Apr 2023

My locum life

Locum optometrists working in a diverse range of roles give their insight on the unique challenges and rewards of different areas of practice

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Locuming

14 Apr 2023 8 min read

Who are you going to call?

How can locum optometrists build connections around them to help thrive professionally? OT asks locum optometrists about the benefits a professional network can bring

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Locuming

14 Apr 2023

The contact lens magician

How do locums make contact lens fitting their superpower? Johnson & Johnson Vision professional affairs consultant, Marie-Therese Hall, gives her tips

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Locuming

14 Apr 2023 5 min read

For the record

Head of clinical and regulatory at the AOP, Henry Leonard, shares his advice on the importance of keeping clear and accurate clinical records as a locum

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Locuming

14 Apr 2023

Locum optometrist guide: the locum briefing

Let’s talk about… OCT

Experts share their tips on how locums can harness optical coherence tomography to provide excellent patient care

In partnership with:

Locuming

10 Jun 2022

The portfolio optometrist

OT talks with locum optometrists who have diversified their careers by working in a range of settings

In partnership with:

Locuming

10 Jun 2022 6 min read 1

Myopia in the spotlight

Why optometrists are turning their attention to myopia management

In partnership with:

Locuming

10 Jun 2022

Seven habits for safe clinical practice

AOP head of clinical and regulatory, Henry Leonard, shares his thoughts on practical steps locums can take to avoid professional conduct pitfalls

In partnership with:

Locuming

10 Jun 2022

Navigating the rising cost of living

Locums share their top tips for helping to balance the books – from negotiating a fair rate of pay to budgeting basics

In partnership with:

Locuming

10 Jun 2022 6 min read

A contact lens for each life stage

From children discovering a love of sport to teenagers studying for exams, OT discovers tailored contact lens solutions that can support patients through every life milestone

In partnership with:

Locuming

10 Jun 2022

Decoding domiciliary

OT explores what is involved in working as a domiciliary optometrist – and hears about the rewards of providing eye care at home

In partnership with:

Locuming

10 Jun 2022

Locum optometrist guide: the path forward

Get the kit: locum essentials

Locum optometrists share their go-to kit and wish list for the year ahead

In partnership with:

Locuming

22 Dec 2020

'Seven lessons I learned during my first week back'

Optometrist and clinical multimedia editor for OT, Ceri Smith-Jaynes, describes her experience returning from furlough and shares her tips for optometrists returning to practise during the pandemic

In partnership with:

Locuming

20 Dec 2020

Workforce wellbeing

How can locum optometrists maintain balance during times of personal and professional uncertainty? OT talks to Northamptonshire optometrist and mindfulness coach, Sheena Tanna-Shah

Sponsored by:

Locuming

19 Dec 2020

Take good care

Head of clinical and regulatory at the AOP, Henry Leonard, considers the importance of internal referrals, and offers tips for safe clinical practice

Sponsored by:

Locuming

18 Dec 2020

The locum optometrist’s toolkit

From contract negotiation to further qualifications, OT identifies the skills to help locums adapt and thrive amid a shifting professional landscape

In partnership with:

Locuming

16 Dec 2020 9 min read

We appreciate that locums are an important part of the eye care sector and have unique educational needs. Therefore, we are very happy to be able to continue, develop and evolve our partnership with the AOP and OT in providing tailored support to locums. The guide is one element of a diverse range of resources, tools, services and education aiding locums to continue to deliver great patient care.

Sheetal Patel, Johnson & Johnson Vision