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Ophthalmic Practitioner Training

The Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) Programme, trains postgraduate orthoptists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses and other eye care practitioners in secondary care to develop their skills in eye care.

Enrolment to the programme is currently paused while we work to secure funding for improvements. We continue to support learners already enrolled in the programme.

The Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) Programme has been developed from the Ophthalmic Common Clinical Competency Framework (OCCCF). This is an opportunity for ophthalmology departments to transform their workforce and improve capacity within their service.

The OPT Programme is delivered at three levels in each of the four clinical areas, resulting in award of specific OPT Certificates by The College.  A Level 3 OPT Certificate can form the major part of the clinical pillar of a Masters degree in Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP).

The OPT is delivered in the workplace under the supervision of local trainers.  It is a competency based programme in which the curriculum sets standards which are assessed in the workplace by the collection of evidence in a portfolio.  Competence is acquired through self-directed learning, teaching in the workplace, clinical experience, supervision and formative assessment.