Advanced Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology (integrated degree apprenticeship) MSc

The aim of this programme is to develop clinical practice and to contribute to the advancement of eye care delivery in primary, secondary or tertiary care settings. The programme has been developed by practicing clinicians for multidisciplinary ophthalmic non-medical clinicians such as optometrists, orthoptists and ophthalmic nurses. The structure of the programme is based on the four pillars of clinical, leadership, education and research.

The aim of the programme is to develop clinical practice and to contribute to the advancement of eyecare delivery in primary, secondary or tertiary care settings. The Programme has been developed by practicing clinicians for multidisciplinary ophthalmic non-medical clinicians such as optometrists, orthoptists and ophthalmic nurses. It is designed for practitioners in the UK only who have access to work-place based learning in an appropriate clinical setting.

The structure of the programme is based on the four pillars; clinical, leadership, education and research. Modules that are offered to you provides training in the four busiest ophthalmic specialties in the UK and worldwide; Glaucoma, Medical Retina, Ophthalmic Emergencies and Cataract.

Where Advanced Practice non-medical professionals are undertaking extended roles to help manage the increasing burden of patient care.

Who this course for

The programme is only available to UK based registered non-medical ophthalmic practitioners whose employer can support and fund them through the course.

What this course will give you

The programme has been designed and delivered by world renowned leaders in ophthalmology and ophthalmic education. This unique partnership between UCL and Moorfields Eye Hospital enables a programme to be delivered by clinicians incorporating real patient cases.

For UK based practitioners, modules on the programme can be used as a first step to gaining College of Optometrists Higher Qualifications and affixes as well as the Ophthalmic Practitioner Training sign offs when combined with workplace based learning.

Employability

Training will enable multidisciplinary ophthalmic clinicians to carry out advanced clinical practice roles in ophthalmology as well as providing the scientific knowledge required in these areas. Upon graduation, extended roles in primary and secondary ophthalmic settings will be more accessible.

You will be able to carry out advanced practice roles in ophthalmology in a community or hospital setting. You will also have skills in clinical leadership, education and research which will enable you to take on roles where you can lead in a team in a clinical setting and/or undertake further research giving you varied portfolio or specialist career options and progression.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

Teaching and learning

Multiple choice questions, short answer questions, patient management case scenarios (problem based questions), essays, visual recognition, interpretation of clinical scenarios, research report, journal article, clinical change report, open book essay exams

Throughout the online component of the programme, tutors will be interacting with students via online forums weekly and live webinars.

Students are expected to spend at least ten hours a week per module for self-directed study.

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree in Optometry, Ophthalmology, Orthoptics or Nursing with an Ophthalmic speciality (Ophthalmic nurses who already have OPT level 1 and 2 competencies desirable). Applicants also require a minimum of level 2/GCSE grade C or equivalent in Mathematics and English. In addition, applicants will need to be employed in the UK by an employer with access to apprenticeship funding who is willing to support throughout the course both financially and in completing work e.g. providing a minimum 20% off the job (OTJ) training time, providing an Educational Supervisor to support locally, managing OTJ activities and hours. Applicants will also need to be working at least 30 hours per week for the employer hosting the apprenticeship.