Things to consider before moving to a different practice

You may be thinking about moving to a different practice and supervisor. The Scheme for Registration team are aware that there are a number of reasons why you might want to change practice. Here are a few things you need to consider before you make the move:

  • finding a new placement is competitive, do consider finding a new placement before giving notice
  • you have limited time to complete your placement, as:
    • your Certificate of Clinical Competence that was completed at university will expire two years after your last recorded assessment visit with the College
    • if you have not undertaken an assessment visit as part of the Scheme for Registration, the date your university informed us of your degree qualification is used to as your last date in practice and your Certificate of Clinical Competence will expire two years from that date
  • moving practice does not ‘pause’ your time on the Scheme for Registration. If you have an employment break, keep accurate records of them so that you can apply for an extension, if needed
  • your current practice may not allow you to use the patient records completed on their premises for assessment purposes, if you move to a different practice. You can keep the patient episodes listed in your logbook but without permission (and anonymised copies of the patient records) you won’t be able to use them for your assessment visits. Please note that practices do not have to allow you to take patient records. 

Improving your experience at your current practice

Before making the decision to move to a different practice, try taking the following steps to improve your current experience:

  • Speak with your supervisor and/or practice director about your concerns. If you are worried about having a difficult conversation, we have resources CPD library to help you, including ‘Handling Difficult conversations for supervisor and learner’ and ‘Mastering one to one meetings’.
  • Re-set the relationships in your current workplace to achieve completion of the Scheme. Think about what would you need to do to make this happen.
  • If you work for one of the main multiple groups, speak with the professional practice/services lead. They may be able to help support you.
  • Think about whether there are things you could/should be doing differently that would improve your work life.
  • If appropriate, get support from physical and/or mental health practitioners.
  • Make sure you have a support network in place.
  • Think about whether your living situation is suitable. If not, find out if there are any employee assistance programmes or services available through your workplace. Find details of the main UK employer group's assistance programmes.
  • Think about whether you have taken on board the feedback that has been provided to you from your supervisor.
  • Think about whether you have taken on board and worked on the feedback that has been given to you from your assessor.

Please note, The College of Optometrists is prevented by its Royal Charter from engaging in employer/employee relations and so is not able to input into employment matters. You may wish to contact the AOP or other organisations who do not have this restriction for advice and/or support. 

Steps to take if you decide to move

  • You must inform the College of your change as soon as possible and who your new principal supervisor is. We may need to assign you a new Stage One assessor. See Changing your supervisor or practice.
  • Plan ahead to allow yourself time to find the right placement. You may be out of practice for some time as you seek alternative employment.
  • Ensure you keep records of any period of unemployment, in case you need to request an extension to your allotted time.
  • Talk to your current practice regarding using anonymised patient records for future assessments, and ensure you have a signed APR declaration from them. Do not copy any non-anonymised patient records on to a personal device as this is a GDPR breach.

The only way to renew your Certificate of Clinical Competence, if it expires due to a prolonged gap in clinical activity, is through a course at a GOC approved UK university institution. 

Change your supervisor or practice