AOP Council offers designated posts

Applications open for designated posts on the AOP’s Council

The Association of Optometrists is inviting eligible members to apply across 14 designated posts

The Association of Optometrists will open applications for 14 designated posts on 16 February. The appointed Councillors, representing different segments of the profession, will join the AOP’s 34-strong Council.

Councillors help to inform the AOP’s policy work and services for members, alongside representing the AOP by promoting membership and assisting their peers.

Reflecting on the most enjoyable aspects of the role, AOP councillor for Scotland, Stephanie Kearney, said that she enjoyed networking with practitioners across the UK, and the opportunity to “be able to share and develop my views on important topics affecting our profession.”

Post holders also reference the opportunity to connect with others on industry issues to “improve quality of care for patients”, “raise concerns” or “view the profession through a different perspective”.

The designated positions open for applications in 2023 are:

Undergraduate student
Pre-registration optometrist
Newly-qualified optometrist
Additional hospital optometrist
Independent prescribing optometrist
Domiciliary care optometrist
Locum optometrist
Director of a multiple practice
Employee of a multiple practice
Director of an independent practice
Employee of an independent practice
Optometrist for Scotland
Optometrist for Wales
Optometrist for Northern Ireland

The undergraduate student and pre-registration optometrist positions have a term of office of one year. The newly-qualified and early career optometrists have a term of office of two years and can serve for three terms (a total of six years). All other designated positions have a three-year term from 2023.

The current AOP Council is made up of 14 elected members to represent areas across the UK, and 20 councillors with designated positions representing membership groups within the AOP.