Acing Your Orthoptic Placement: Advice from a Clinical Tutor
As an Orthoptic student, placement forms a huge part of your academic year. Especially if you are studying in the UK, where placements can send you to any corner of the country! It can feel overwhelming at first, but placements are where your learning really comes to life.
As a Clinical Tutor, here’s my top advice to help you make the most of your placement experience.
1.Know your objectives!
This is the most important tip. Your placement is graded based on how well you meet your objectives—and those marks will determine whether you pass or fail. So take time before you start your placement to review your objectives carefully and study up on the theory behind each one. Your clinical tutors will help you with the practical skills, but it’s much easier for them to support you if you already understand the theory.
Top tip: Bonus points if you can casually mention a research paper relevant to your objectives! It might feel awkward at first, but trust me—your tutors will be impressed if you are able to say, “I would choose this management plan because (paper A) showed this resulted in a better outcome for patients with X” That’s how you aim for those 9s and 10s on your assessment.
Also, remember to ask your clinical tutor whether you can keep anonymised patient notes for your reflections (anonymised = no patient identifiable details). This will save you a lot of time when it comes to writing and uploading your case reflections after placement.
2. Be prepared
First impressions count. Come to placement equipped with your orthoptic essentials:
• Occluder
• Fixation target
• Pen torch
• Fixation toy
• Notebook and pen
This is the bare minimum. You are there as a professional-in-training, so make sure you dress like one too:
• Bare below the elbows (this is a massive policy within the NHS)
• Smart, closed, slip-proof shoes (no flip-flops, sandals, bright coloured trainers)
• Hair tied back and out of your face
• No jewellery, watches, nail polish or acrylics
• Don’t forget your student ID and badge!
3. Know where you are going
Your clinical tutor should have sent you directions for the department ahead of time—make sure you check them and have them easily accessible. Hospitals vary a lot in layout, and orthoptic departments aren’t always easy to find. Give yourself extra time on your first day to avoid arriving stressed or late. Make sure you have the contact details for the department and the lead clinical tutor, in case of an emergency.
4. Don't be afraid to ask questions
Placement is a time for you to consolidate all that you have learnt at university. Don't be afraid to ask your clinical tutors questions. If something doesn’t make sense, ask! Your clinical tutors are there to support you, not to catch you out.
5. Explore extended roles and other specialities
One of the best things about placement is the chance to experience the wider eye clinic. Sitting in with different specialities and extended roles will help you become a more well rounded Orthoptist. If there are specific clinics or roles you’re interested in, let your lead clinical tutor know early on (ideally during your placement induction). For example:
• Eye casualty
• Ophthalmology theatres
• Diagnostics or imaging
• Low vision
• Orthoptists working in extended roles (like stroke, neurology or paediatrics)
Some placement hospitals might have their own specialist clinics too. For example, Oxford offers a craniofacial clinic—a rare opportunity you may not experience elsewhere. A little research before placement can help you spot unique chances to observe and learn, making the most of your time there.
Placements are a chance to grow and develop into the Orthoptist you can become. Come prepared, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to take initiative. With the right mindset, your placement can be one of the most rewarding parts of your Orthoptic journey.
