New graduate & preceptorship
New Graduate & Student Representative
Our New Graduate & Student Representative is here to represent the interests of students and new graduates and provide support during the transition into professional practice.
If you need additional guidance or advice, or have questions about any of the resources on this page, please get in touch.
Supporting your transition into orthoptic practice
Starting your first role as a qualified orthoptist is an exciting milestone, but the transition from student to confident and autonomous practitioner can also bring new challenges.
We’re committed to supporting new graduates throughout this important stage of their professional journey. We have brought together guidance, resources and development opportunities to help you prepare for practice, make the most of your preceptorship and continue developing your professional knowledge, skills and confidence.
Whether you are about to graduate, have recently started your first orthoptic role, or are supporting a new graduate as a preceptor, you will find resources here to support you.
Pre-Preceptorship
Preceptorship begins before your first day in practice. There are a number of things you can do during the transition from university into employment to help prepare for your new professional role.
BIOS is developing a Pre-Preceptorship Guide to provide an overview of pre-preceptorship and the steps you can take to prepare for your transition into practice. The guide will draw on relevant AHP and HCPC guidance and signpost useful learning and development opportunities, including relevant NHS e-LfH training.
Coming soon
Orthoptic Preceptorship
Preceptorship plays a vital role in supporting newly qualified orthoptists as they transition from education into professional practice. A high-quality preceptorship can help new graduates develop confidence and competence, understand their new professional responsibilities and progress towards greater autonomy.
We have been reviewing and developing our approach to preceptorship following the Phase 1 Preceptorship Project, which identified a number of recommendations for strengthening the support available to new graduates and those providing preceptorship.
Following this work, BIOS has developed a new Orthoptic Preceptorship Framework. This replaces the previous member-only Preceptorship Guidance and provides a clear, profession-wide approach to delivering high-quality preceptorship.
The Framework sets out the key principles and expectations for preceptorship, providing a consistent structure across the profession while allowing services to adapt the experience to meet the needs of individual preceptees.
Orthoptic Preceptorship Framework
The Framework provides a clear structure for planning, delivering and reviewing preceptorship and is designed to support both preceptees and preceptors.
Supporting resources
Preceptorship Templates – Practical templates to support the planning, delivery and review of the preceptorship experience.
Coming soon:
- Preceptorship Workbooks – We’re developing a set of workbooks to support preceptees throughout their preceptorship. The workbooks will provide a structured way to record development, reflect on progress and identify ongoing learning and development needs.
- Preceptor Training Programme – Training and accreditation for preceptors, helping them develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to provide effective preceptorship.
BIOS Preceptorship best practice case studies
Our preceptorship programme is designed to support new graduates through the transition from being a student to becoming a confident, newly qualified orthoptist.
Read these stories from recent graduates highlighting how the preceptorship programme benefited them:
BIOS Member only content
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