Our members play a central role in shaping the work of the College and the wider ophthalmic community by taking on roles including committee members, examiners and skills faculty members. By volunteering your time and expertise, you can influence what we do, support your peers and contribute to improving patient care.
Why get involved
Volunteering with the College gives you the opportunity to:
- shape the direction of the College and the profession
- support fellow members and the wider ophthalmic workforce
- contribute to improving outcomes for patients
- develop your leadership skills and experience
- build your professional network across the UK and internationally.
Your perspective helps us build a strong, inclusive and representative professional community.
How we support you
All volunteer roles are supported by experienced College staff. Together, we work in an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects our values.
You will:
- receive guidance and support in your role
- work alongside subject matter experts and peers
- contribute to meaningful work that supports the profession and improves patient care.
View current opportunities
Check back regularly to find roles that match your interests, skills and experience.
Advisory Appointment Committees (AACs) are recruitment panels used when hiring consultants and specialty doctors in NHS trusts across the UK. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists plays a crucial role in this process by:
- Approving job descriptions for ophthalmologist positions
- Providing College representatives to serve on all consultant and specialist grade appointment panels
- Ensuring applicants meet standards for training, administration, and clinical needs.
AAC representative role
As an AAC representative, you would:
- Attend recruitment interviews to provide quality assurance
- Ensure candidates can effectively train future ophthalmologists
- Verify candidates can provide safe patient care
- Help maintain a fair recruitment process
Requirements
Applicants must:
- be a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- be on the General Medical Council specialist register (unless exemptions apply or a SAS doctor representing on SAS AACs)
- have practised in the NHS in the past two years
- have undertaken trust-approved equality and diversity training within the last three years.
No prior AAC experience necessary as guidance will be provided.
Interested ophthalmologists can email [email protected] to volunteer or request more information.
Representatives can claim expenses from the hiring trust.
Support the College to maintain high standards in ophthalmology by becoming an examiner.
College tutors have overall responsibility for ensuring that postgraduate ophthalmology training within their unit is delivered to a high standard and that resident doctors are appropriately supported throughout their training.
College tutors are also the main point of contact between trainers and The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
College tutors lead the local team of trainers, including:
- clinical supervisors, who provide day-to-day supervision of resident doctors
- educational supervisors, who oversee the overall progress, development and support of resident doctors.
College Tutors also work closely with stakeholders at trust, Deanery and College level to support training quality and learner development.
For further information about the role, please read the:
To apply, please complete the College Tutor Nomination Form.
The College is seeking Fellows or Members to join the Surgical Skills Faculty.
You must be a member of the College and be one of the following:
- in a UK substantive consultant post
- a SAS doctor
- an ophthalmic trainee at ST6 or ST7 level.
Faculty Members who are appointed for the advanced courses shall, in addition, indicate their areas of subspecialty interest and expertise. Members may be invited to work with the Skills and Simulation subcommittee to develop course material and design course programmes.
To apply download and complete the SAS and Consultant application form, or the Trainee application form. Return your completed form to [email protected].