The Australian College of Optometry’s (ACO) Certificate in Public Health and Leadership in Eyecare (PHLEC) will run for its third year commencing 17 May 2021.
This six-month online certificate course provides candidates with the skills and knowledge to protect the safety and improve the health of communities through education, health promotion, policy making and research for eye disease and injury prevention.
Jeena Tan, the Head of Clinical Systems at Specsavers Australia and New Zealand, optometrist and ACO-PHLEC graduate said, “I was drawn to completing the PHLEC because the course aligns with my role at Specsavers, and our core philosophy which is focussed on collaboration to develop and implement strategies that enhance health outcomes for patients and address long-term public health problems.
“Many factors determine successful health outcomes. For any optometrist, gaining that perspective and being exposed to how one’s actions in the consulting room can impact not only the patient sitting in front of them, but also wider public health outcomes is really important.”
The ACO’s Certificate in Public Health and Leadership in Eyecare is open to a broad range of professionals within Australia and New Zealand – optometrists, orthoptists, educators, project managers and other health care professionals and staff working in a public health or optometry setting.
The PHLEC would certainly broaden the perspective for optometrists and other health professionals on the public health challenges faced
“The PHLEC would certainly broaden the perspective for optometrists and other health professionals on the public health challenges faced both in and out of the consulting room. I think all optometrists would benefit from learning about public health and the role optometry plays in this,” she continued.
In place of traditional exams, this course requires candidates to submit capstone projects: a personal leadership and development plan, and a public health working project. Candidates are encouraged to tailor their projects to their own areas of development and interest. Also, with flexible delivery and self-paced online learning at the forefront, the PHLEC is ideal for rural or remote optometrists and those balancing work and other commitments.
For more information, please visit www.aco.org.au/certificate-in-public-health-optometry.
