Professional Matters Optometry & Dispensing
New student and early career positions with AOP
The AOP is encouraging applications to new student and early career positions on its Council
The new roles reflect the full student and early career journey into the optometry profession and are designed to improve representation across each cohort
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is introducing four new positions on its Council to ensure continued relevance, resilience and representation as optometric education and early career pathways evolve.
The new positions are designed to include students and newly qualified members at every stage of their training and early career journey, replacing the current student and pre-registration representative roles.
With new education models being introduced across the profession, these roles have been developed to reflect the experiences of those at the start of their career. Members are encouraged to apply for the position that aligns with their current stage of study or early practice, and to progress through the Council as they advance in their careers.
The new roles include:
- Optometrist in Training (OIT1): Open to student members in the penultimate year of an undergraduate optometry degree at a UK university
- Optometrist in Training 2 (OIT2): Open to student members in their final year of an undergraduate optometry degree at a UK university
- Newly Qualified 1 (NQ1): Open to members who are undertaking their final qualifying exams or who have recently qualified
- Newly Qualified 2 (NQ2): Open to members who are seeking or currently in their first employed role, within their first year post qualification. Applicants may also be in a second employed role or working as a locum.
Adam Sampson, AOP Chief Executive, said: “Introducing these roles is a crucial step in ensuring the continuity of representation on Council. As education and early career pathways shift, we need structures that can adapt with them. These positions build our pipeline of experience and offer members at the start of their career a clear progression path to shape the profession as it develops.”
The new structure will future proof Council representation, support continuity, and nurture emerging talent within optometry.
Each role carries a one year term, running from September to September to align with the academic cycle. Applications open to eligible members on 8 June and will close 6 July.
For more information on the new positions and eligibility, visit www.aop.org.uk/appointments.
