FAQs

Please contact the BIOS office at bios@orthoptics.org.uk, including your name, contact details and booking reference/ticket number.

If your cancellation request is received at least one month prior to the event date you will be entitled to a 90% refund. If your balance is still outstanding, a 10% admin charge is applicable. If cancellations are received within one month of the event date, no refunds will be issued. If your balance is still outstanding, the full amount is due.

Tickets for events can be paid for via BACS, credit card or by invoice.

Most, but not all, events are open to non-members. If an event is appropriate for non-members, there will be the option to purchase non-member tickets on the booking page for that event.

Not all our events are recorded. However, if an event is recorded, it will be available to members in the CPD library on the BIOS website within three working days of the event. You can access the CPD library here.

Unfortunately, non-members are unable to access recordings as they can only be accessed from the member-only access area of our website.

If you intend to organise an event through BIOS, you will need to complete a booking form, and for face-to-face events, you will also need to complete a budget sheet. All forms can be found in the online and face-to-face event packs on our event forms page.

Completed forms should be sent to bios@orthoptics.org.uk for authorisation.

Once authorised, BIOS will advertise the event in Parallel Vision (our fortnightly e-zine) and on the BIOS website until the event date. We will also provide the platform for ticket booking and payment through the BIOS website.

Some of our courses, but not all, do generate a certificate of attendance. These will automatically be sent to attendees shortly after the course.

If you have any questions regarding certificates, please email bios@orthoptics.org.uk.

All information regarding joining BIOS can be found on our Join BIOS page.

There are different types of BIOS memberships. Please have a look at the membership categories here.

Please view all of the benefits of BIOS membership here.

Membership is annual and most of our members choose easy monthly payments by Direct Debit, but you can also pay by card or BACS transfer.

If you would like to request a change to your current membership type, please fill in the membership change request form.

Please contact our admin team at bios@orthoptics.org.uk if you wish to cancel your membership. Please note that memberships are annual, and as such, you may still have outstanding membership fees if you cancel your membership before renewal.

You can renew your membership via ‘Your Account’ on the BIOS website, at any point in the month before your current membership expires.

You can request a password reset via your account portal. If you encounter any problems with this, please email us at bios@orthoptics.org.uk for further assistance.

You can edit information linked to your account (including your email, home address, employer, profile picture, and contact preferences) under ‘My Profile’.

You can find most of our core standards and competencies on the Standards and Guidelines page of the BIOS website.

Additional guidance can be found on our groups and networks pages, or you can search our resource library.

If you require a document that you cannot find, please email bios@orthoptics.org.uk and we will locate it for you.

We have Clinical Advisory Groups (CAGs) associated with many specialised areas of orthoptics, as well as networks supporting new graduates, heads of services and those involved in research and public health. A list of all of our CAGs and networks can be found here.

These pages provide details of who to contact if you need to ask a question or obtain some advice in that area.

As a member, you can also sign up for specific forums under ‘My Account’.

The OEF is a fund provided by BIOS which provides small grants to orthoptic professionals and students to support education and training. Further information can be found on the OEF page of our website.

OEF grants can be used to fund postgraduate study, to cover the costs of presenting at a Conference, or to provide support.

We also provide support for orthoptic students facing financial hardship that risks preventing them from continuing their studies.

Full details can be found on the OEF page of our website.

All information regarding guidance for applying for funds from the OEF can be found on the OEF page of our website.

The OEF assessors meet in the first two weeks of every month, except August, considering all applications received in the previous month. You will be contacted shortly following their meeting in the month following your application.

PERL is an online portal offering videos and other clinical resources primarily for students and clinical tutors, but also to support continued professional development across the orthoptic profession.

All members can request access to PERL provided they are currently registered with HCPC. Student members may also request access to PERL provided they are current students with an active student email address.

You will need to be logged into your account to request access to PERL. Once logged in click on ‘Account’ in the top right corner, then click on ‘PERL’ in the drop-down box that appears, then scroll to the bottom of the PERL page and click on ‘SUBMIT’. This will send a request to the BIOS admin team who will activate your access to PERL within five working days.

All of our practising UK, ROI and Gibraltar membership options include Medical & Professional Liability Insurance up to £2.5 million per claim (£5 million in total), together with Public Liability Insurance up to £5 million.

Our Support Workforce membership provides coverage for clinical assistants undertaking activities in the scope of orthoptic practice which have been delegated by a registered orthoptist.

Liability cover is not included as part of our Non-practising, Retired and Overseas membership options.

Insurance certificates are sent directly from our insurers to members by email each year. If you need a replacement certificate, please email bios@orthoptics.org.uk and we will send you a replacement copy of your certificate.

BIOJ can be accessed online here.

In order to submit an article you will need an account. You can register for an account here.

You can access the submission guidelines and make a submission here.

Details for local reps can be found on the members’ area of our Union page.

Your first point of call should be your local BOSTU representative. However, if there is not a rep for your Trust, or there is a reason it is not appropriate to contact your local rep, you can email us at bios@orthoptics.org.uk, and we will put you in touch with someone who can assist you.

BOSTU relies upon the hard work of volunteers to provide support and representation to our members.

Find out more about how to become a BOSTU workplace rep here.

Our representatives look after the interests of their colleagues in the workplace, providing support to members with workplace and employment issues.

You can find lots of information regarding our Trade Union and what reps can assist with on the Union page.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide representation for members outside of the UK.

Most of our Irish members are members of the public sector union, Fórsa.

If you have a vacancy that you would like to advertise with BIOS, please email us at bios@orthoptics.org.uk. We will provide you with a form for completion. Your vacancy will be advertised on both the BIOS website and in Parallel Vision (our fortnightly e-zine).

Members can advertise with BIOS without charge. There is a charge for non-members to advertise with BIOS. If you are a non-member interested in advertising with us, please contact bios@orthoptics.org.uk, and we will be able to provide you with details of the current fees.

Parallel Vision is a fortnightly e-zine for BIOS members. In each edition of Parallel Vision, you will find details of the latest job vacancies, events and news related to the orthoptic profession.

Parallel Vision is sent out to members via email every two weeks on a Thursday.

If you wish to submit an article or other information for publication in Parallel Vision, you will need to complete the Parallel Vision Request Form available here.

There is no need to subscribe as all BIOS members receive Parallel Vision automatically via email once they join.

Yes, you can edit your contact preferences within your account settings and opt out of receiving Parallel Vision.

However, as Parallel Vision is our primary means of contact with members, we strongly urge all members to opt in to receiving Parallel Vision so that they don’t miss out on important information and updates.

Old editions of Parallel Vision can be accessed by members here when logged into their account.

You can ask for a referral from your GP or optometrist to be seen by an NHS orthoptist.

We do not hold a list of private practitioners, but you can search directories such as BUPA Finder or Doctify for orthoptists in your area that you can contact directly.

You can find a range of accessible information on our public information pages, including an easy-to-read glossary of common conditions, with links to FAQs and patient leaflets.

You can find lots of information relating to getting into orthoptics on the BIOS website. You will find information specifically relating to becoming an orthoptist on our ‘How do I become an orthoptist?’ page.

We also have a page dedicated to information for those wanting to become orthoptic clinical assistants.

Our ‘Studying Orthoptics’ page provides all the information you need about what type of courses are on offer and where you can study. You will also find information about what to expect from a course, how to access university open days, and information about the cost of courses.

For anyone interested in getting into orthoptics, we recommend undertaking a work-shadowing placement. A work-shadowing placement will provide you with a greater understanding of the orthoptic profession and may help you decide if orthoptics is right for you.

You can find information about work-shadowing here.

If you are interested in undertaking a work-shadowing opportunity, you can complete our work-shadowing request form.