SOVS: Calling more optometry mentors

The School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS) at the University of Auckland needs more externship mentors for their final year BOptom students.

During their last year of study, each New Zealand BOptom student undertakes a three-week externship in a community-based optometry practice. Through these externships, students gain further experience in the direct examination and management of patients away from the confines of the university clinics, says Dr Geraint Phillips, SOVS senior lecturer and clinic director. “Feedback from the profession shows many optometrist mentors enjoy the exchange of ideas and information with the next generation of optometrists.”

The externship period can be broken up so that the student attends more than one practice, for example, when a practice is keen on taking part, but cannot host the student for the full three weeks. Optometrist mentors supervise the student during their externship, which includes being available to check the clinical findings for every patient the student examines. Mentors also complete an evaluation at the end of the student’s externship; a format is provided with pre-set questions.

Optometrist mentors are invited to become Honorary Teaching Fellows with the University of Auckland, a position which offers full access to the extensive resources the Auckland University library offers, including all of its electronic resources (encompassing many excellent journals); use of the title “Honorary Teaching Fellow affiliated with the School of Optometry & Vision Science at the University of Auckland”; preferential and cost-reduced access to continuing professional development events within SOVS; use of the following phrase on practice websites and similar: “Our practice provides teaching services for the University of Auckland's School of Optometry & Vision Science for their Bachelor of Optometry degree”.

The School of Optometry & Vision Science is keen to welcome new and returning mentors for externships in June and July 2018. If you are interested in becoming a new or returning externship mentor, please contact Gini Parslow, practicum placement co-ordinator at v.parslow@auckland.ac.nz or phone 027 406 8543.