Regional Education Advisors

Regional Education Advisors (REAs) are the College's senior representatives promoting excellence in training and the delivery of the Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST) programme.

Regional Education Advisors (REAs) lead the College’s regional teams to facilitate and oversee the delivery of education and support ophthalmologists.

REAs promote excellence in education for:

  • Ophthalmologists at all stages in their careers and across all their roles
  • Non-medical ophthalmic professionals
  • Students, resident doctors and specialists from other specialties learning about ophthalmology

Responsibilities and duties

REAs lead the regional team by:

  • Identify regional leads for the key areas of ophthalmic education
  • Promote cooperative working to facilitate delivery of education in the region
  • Support regional leads to provide local educational activities within their areas of responsibility

Support regional leads by:

  • Supporting and facilitating delivery of their areas of responsibility
  • Encouraging communication and cooperation with other leads

Promote the regional cascade of national educational events by:

  • Developing the local facilities and processes required for tele-learning
  • Encouraging ophthalmic professionals to access learning and education

Support educators and trainers by:

  • Nominating, leading, supporting and developing College Tutors
  • Attending appropriate events, eg School Board, training visits by external agencies
  • Supporting Training The Trainers (TTT)
  • Supporting the Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT)  programme

Support the personal and professional development of ophthalmologists by:

  • Leading or supporting local buddying schemes
  • Encouraging the inclusion of mentoring skills in educational opportunities
  • Signposting members to sources of personal support

How do I become a Regional Education Advisor?

Regional Education Advisors are appointed by the College for each of the relevant geographical regions. The term of office is three years, renewable once. To be eligible for applying you must:

  • Be a College Fellow or Member
  • Be a substantive consultant for at least one year
  • Not hold a potentially conflicting post
  • Not be a Regional Representative (Council position)
  • Not hold a Deanery appointment eg Training Programme Director, Head of School

If you want to get involved, please read the job description here. You must have your application countersigned by:

  • Chair of the School Board/Specialty Training Committee or Head of School – to confirm that the nomination has Deanery endorsement
  • Clinical Lead – so they are aware that you are considering taking on this role