Vocational Training
Goals of the VTP
The objective of the Vocational Training Program (VTP) is to produce a specialist ophthalmologist who, on completion of training, is equipped to undertake safe, unsupervised, comprehensive, general ophthalmology practice. An ophthalmologist wishing to train and practise in a sub-specialty will undergo further training and experience required for that sub-specialty.
The College envisages an "ideal training system" in which the best trainees are selected and appointed, and then undergo high quality training experiences. Systems have been developed to capture feedback to and from all parties involved in training and assessment. This feedback enables continuous quality improvement of the training system.
The 7 key roles underpinning selection, training and assessment are: ophthalmic expert and clinical decision maker, communicator, collaborator, manager, health advocate, scholar, and professional.
Training Pathway
To satisfy the full training requirements, each trainee must:
Selection
- obtain an appointment to a 1st year accredited hospital post
After Selection and prior to commencement of accredited training
- Sit RANZCO examinations in Anatomy and Clinical Ophthlamic Pharmacology and Emergency Medicine (COPEM). Anatomy must be attempted, and COPEM (online examination) must be passed before commencement of accredited training. Trainees who do not pass the Anatomy Examination must register for the next available sitting.
Basic Training
- pass the induction assessment on commencement (within 3 months)
- pass all Ophthalmic Science (OS) assessments and satisfy all term requirements, within the first 18 months, to be eligible to apply for advanced training. The Ophthalmic Basic Competencies and Knowledge (OBCK) examination must be passed within the initial 12 months of training.
Advanced Training
- obtain an appointment to an advanced training post from Year 3
- meet all requirements to be eligible to sit Ophthalmic Pathology from Year 3
- sit and pass the Ophthalmic Pathology examination, usually in Year 3
- demonstrate fitness to sit the RANZCO Advanced Clinical Examination (RACE) in Year 4
- sit and pass the RACE
- pass all rotation requirements for Year 4
Final Year
- meet the pre-requisites and all requirements for the final year, by obtaining prior approval from the Censor-in-Chief of the final year program and supervisor, and approval also of final year reports from both the trainee and the supervisor
Work-based Assessment and Research
- over the 4 years of basic and advanced training, meet all performance requirements set out in the College curriculum standards
- over the 4 years of basic and advanced training maintain a surgical logbook, complete and submit to the College work-based assessments for each rotation, and complete and submit the Clinical Curriculum Performance Standard (CCPS) spreadsheet in consultation with the Training Network Director of Training as required.
- over the 5 years, meet all requirements for the 6 non-medical key roles and competencies of the specialist ophthalmologist (communicator, collaborator, scholar, manager, professional, and health advocate).
- meet the research requirement of the training program by the end of the final year
Structure and Duration of Training
The Vocational Training Program takes 5 years to complete.
It comprises:
- 2 years of basic training during which trainees must demonstrate integrated clinical skills and knowledge in the Ophthalmic Sciences (OS) and the Ophthalmic Basic Competencies and Knowledge (OBCK)
- 2 years of advanced training during which trainees are expected to demonstrate integrated knowledge, clinical and surgical skills as documented in the clinical standards
- a final year during which the trainee develops their specialist experience in preparation for specialist qualification and to function in the community as an independent general ophthalmologist.
- On completion of the Vocational Training Program graduates are eligible to apply for fellowship.
Basic Training (Years 1 and 2)
Trainees undertake basic training in structured terms in training hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. The trainee must demonstrate integrated clinical skills and knowledge in the Ophthalmic Sciences (OS) and Ophthalmic Basic Competencies and Knowledge (OBCK).
The ophthalmic sciences are:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Optics
- Clinical Ophthalmic Pharmacology and Emergency Medicine (COPEM)
The competencies which relate to each of the ophthalmic sciences subjects are covered in the curriculum standards.
Assessment in the first 4 subjects is by examination.
Ophthalmic Pathology is assessed in the 3rd year.
The OBCK is a clinical exam which must be passed within the initial 12 months of training and covers: mastery of clinical examination techniques; mastery of ophthalmic instruments; interpretation of symptoms; recognition of common clinical signs; compulsory wet lab experience. It does not cover diagnosis or management of ophthalmic conditions.
The training is underpinned by the 6 non-medical competencies outlined in the social and professional responsibilities curriculum standard.
Selection for advanced training takes place in the 2nd half of each calendar year. Basic trainees are therefore required to pass all OS requirements by June of the 2nd year, that is within 18 months of the commencement of training, to be eligible to apply for advanced training. OBCK must be passed within the initial 12 months of training; After Selection to the Vocational Training Program and prior to the commencement of training, Anatomy must be sat and COPEM must be sat and passed by newly appointed trainees.
Advanced Training (Years 3 and 4)
Having been selected into advanced training, the trainee in Years 3 and 4 must demonstrate integrated clinical and surgical skills and knowledge in each of the following clinical practice areas, as indicated in the curriculum standards:
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Cataract
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Clinical Genetics and Microbiology
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Clinical Refraction
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Cornea and External Eye
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Glaucoma
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Neuro-ophthalmology
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Ocular Inflammation
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Ocular motility
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Oculoplastics
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Ophthalmic Ultrasound
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Paediatrics
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Refractive Surgery
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Vitreo-retinal
The training is underpinned by the 6 non-medical competencies outlined in the social and professional responsibilities curriculum standard.
Formal assessment comprises on-job assessments, the Ophthalmic Pathology Examination (in Year 3) and the RANZCO Advanced Clinical Examination (RACE) (in Year 4).
A trainee requires 3 years of satisfactory training progress (supported by term supervisors' reports for all terms, and records of surgical experience), and must demonstrate mature self-understanding of his or her specialist and professional development, to be considered fit to sit the RACE.
Final Year
Subject to passing the advanced examination, and satisfactorily completing 4 years of training, the trainee may undertake the final year.
The trainee is expected to broaden his or her specialist experience in final preparation for specialist qualification and to function in the community as an independent ophthalmologist.
The final year experience may be taken in Australia, New Zealand or overseas, preferably in an institution or network other than that in which the trainee completed the basic and advanced in-service component of their training.
Trainees are required to obtain the Censor-in-Chief's approval for their final year program in advance of starting the year. There will be no retrospective recognition of training time. On completion of the year the College requires detailed reports from the trainee and supervisor/s.
All queries and applications should be directed to Eden Tay This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
A trainee must remain a financial member of the College at all times.
OVERSEAS TRAINING
Reciprocal training arrangements for Ophthalmologists intending to study or work in the UK.
Changes have been made to the immigration and registration rules for doctors who intend to train or work in the UK, especially as part of their final year training. Ophthalmologists intending to work or train in the UK need to fully research the requirements with their sponsors or employers.
Research requirement
Prior to applying for Fellowship of the College, trainees must meet the research requirement. This can be achieved through:
- A publication in a peer-reviewed journal as 1st author
- Being 1st author and a significant contributor to a paper presented at a meeting for which abstracts are subject to peer review and selection, for example: The College's Scientific Congress, the Australian Visual and Ophthalmic Science Conference, or a State/New Zealand College meeting
- An approved period of full-time research (confirmed by a written report from a College Fellow)
- A higher degree gained by research or thesis. A higher degree by course work alone is not sufficient
Eligibility for Fellowship
Eligibility for Fellowship of the College is subject to:
- successful completion of Years 1 to 4 of the program
- the Censor-in-Chief's acceptance of the trainee's final year reports and performance demonstrating ability to practise as a specialist ophthalmologist
The trainee is then eligible to apply for admission as a Fellow of the College, the highest professional membership category.
