Specsavers has boosted its optometry professional development team, with a newly established three member unit operating within the Specsavers Australia / New Zealand Optometry Department in Port Melbourne. The optometry support team now comprises 20 professionals, including 15 qualified optometrists, who operate both in-store and from the support office to help Specsavers optometrists deliver positive health outcomes for patients across Australia and New Zealand.
According to Specsavers, the team will focus on extending professional development opportunities available to the organisation’s optometrists.
Julia Farrell
Julia FarrellJulia Farrell has been appointed to lead the team as Head of Optometry Professional Development. Ms Farrell previously managed training and professional development for global groups including Ford Asia Pacific and CAMS. At Specsavers, she is responsible for the leadership and overall functional and strategic direction of professional training and development activities for stores across Australia and New Zealand.
Dr Joseph Paul
Dr Joseph PaulDr Joseph Paul has joined Specsavers as Optometry Development Consultant and will assist Ms Farrell in the implementation of ophthalmology-led training and provide support with professional development planning. Dr Paul joins Specsavers from the Centre for Eye Research Australia where he was a postdoctoral researcher. He has also worked as an optometrist for Specsavers and the Australian College of Optometry since 2012.
The optometry support team now comprises 20 professionals, including 15 qualified optometrists, who operate both in-store and from the support office
Giordana Zanca-Carramusa
Giordana Zanca-CarramusaGiordana Zanca-Carramusa will support the team in the role of Optometry Coordinator, assisting with planning and coordinating all national professional development activities. Ms Zanca-Carramusa also administers CPD tracking and provides regulatory compliance support for Specsavers optometrists. She joined Specsavers as a dispenser in 2008 before moving into a Support Office role with the Finance team. She joined the Optometry team in 2018.
Web-based Training and Resources
The Optometry Professional Development team will work closely with Specsavers’ learning and development department for web-based training and professional resources for Specsavers optometrists.
Their immediate focuses are:
- The implementation of the Ophthalmologist Local Education and Engagement Program (OLEEP), piloted last year, which facilitates ongoing education sessions between Specsavers optometrists and local RANZCO ophthalmologists. The aim is to further improve patient outcomes through increased collaboration and tailored, feedback-based professional development.
- Building a portfolio of online resources to support the professional development of optometrists.
