A team of five part-time optometrists – including two new appointments – are now employed by Optometry Australia across two teams: Professional Services, and Policy and Advocacy.
Within the Policy and Advocacy team, two optometrists are focusing their attention on a range of projects including the organisation’s strategy to lobby for fairer remuneration for optometric services under Medicare, a workplace balance strategy, Optometry 2040 project, and maintaining professional education standards.
Three optometrists are now part of the Professional Services team to increase Optometry Australia’s “help desk” service which assists members on practice-related issues including audits, professional indemnity claims, HR assistance, medico-legal queries and CPD.
As registered optometrists, they are well-placed to assist members to maintain their high professional standards with AHPRA and OBA, including continuing professional development.
They’re also leading collaboration with GPs, pharmacists and hospitals, resulting in better access for patients and more sustainable systems for managing progressive eye disease.
National CEO Lyn Brodie said that it was important that Optometry Australia increased the number of optometrists working for members.
“As the peak membership body for optometrists we felt that it was important to employ more optometrists so that we can provide even better service to members.
“Importantly we have not expanded the number of employees working for Optometry Australia but reassessed where we could provide the best value to members,” said Ms. Brodie.
“This strategy is working well. Our in-house optometrists successfully implemented consistent rebate rules for Private Health Insurers that supports billing ease for optometrists – a major win for our members,” she said.
The team of part-time optometrists comprises Sophie Koh, Kerryn Hart, Andrew Kotsos, Simon Hanna, Luke Arundel. Find out more here.
