Eleanor Carr - MSc Advanced Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology - Apprenticeship Route

Eleanor is currently an Orthoptist working in a large NHS teaching hospital

I am an Orthoptist, and graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2016 and work in a large NHS teaching hospital. In my first job, there was service need in Ophthalmology clinics, and I was keen to learn. I started working in Ophthalmology clinics including glaucoma, IVT injection clinics, cataract and ROP screening. My training was on the job, and although I felt I was progressing well, I wanted some formal qualifications to consolidate my learning and level of work. I had also heard of the ACP job role, and felt it was well suited to my career aspirations. I liked that I could progress in the banding system clinically, but wasn’t required to manage a department to do so.
Eleanor Carr
The University of Plymouth programme offered a wide variety of clinical modules and I liked the fact I could pick three different clinical modules over the masters to study. Paediatric Ophthalmology, and Emergency Eye Care are not widely offered so peaked my interest. I have always enjoyed different aspects of Ophthalmology and doing a wide range of clinics, so increasing my knowledge and exposure to lots of areas during my masters was important to me as I knew I didn’t want to fully sub-specialise.
Doing the MSc as an apprenticeship route is really useful as it gives us protected study time, that our workplace are held accountable for if they do not meet. I have regular meetings with the apprenticeship team and my supervisor, and am required to get feedback on my progress filled in for each meeting. Although it is often difficult to find the time to get this completed, I have found it beneficial to have this positive feedback and it has helped with my confidence that I am doing a good job. Without the apprenticeship paperwork, I wouldn’t expect to get regular written feedback on my performance, and it also helps in setting regular goals.
In Year 1 the clinical modules I chose were Glaucoma and Acute and Emergency Eye Care. Glaucoma was an area I was already working autonomously in, so the module provided good consolidation for my knowledge and information on latest guidance and research. Acute and Emergency Eye Care was an area where I had not previously worked, and so the content and practical sessions provided enabled me to gain some confidence to start working in these clinics. I now work regularly in the urgent care clinics within my hospital, and feel confident I have good foundation knowledge to do so.
In Year 2 I have chosen Advanced Paediatric Ophthalmology. With an Orthoptic background, paediatrics is an area where I have a baseline understanding and feel confident in interacting with parents and children in clinics. I think Orthoptists are well placed to take on roles in Paediatric Ophthalmology, and having the Ophthalmology and Orthoptics knowledge enhances my practise in both clinics. I am now able to work within paediatric Ophthalmology clinics alongside the consultant, and working on building a patient cohort which would be appropriate for ACPs to independently manage.
What would my advice to anyone considering undertaking the MSc ACP Ophthalmology programme at the University of Plymouth? It requires a lot of dedication and time, as there is a lot to learn. I worked in Ophthalmology clinics for six years before undertaking the MSc, and I think without this initial on the job teaching, I would have struggled a lot more. I also already knew I liked working in the clinics, and therefore had the motivation to continue studying. As an Orthoptist, I think it is important Orthoptists get opportunities to do courses like this if they want to, as we are well placed to enhance the Ophthalmology workforce.
Man completing an eye scan
 
Ophthalmology - eye test