Specialist Certificate in the Management of Low Vision Patients

Specialist Certificate in the Management of Low Vision Patients offered by the Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences in the Faculty of Science.

Topics covered within this course include the epidemiology and geographic distribution of blindness; the roles and methods within the rehabilitative team for the support and rehabilitation of the visually disabled; the procedures for comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation of the visually disabled; the procedures for comprehensive assessment of visual disability and the management of patients with partial sight; and the principles and performance of optical, non-optical and technological aids for the enhancement of low vision. Emphasis is on clinical set-up, application and support of patients with low vision.

The Specialist Certificate is achieved through successful completion of one compulsory 25 point subject, Management of Low Vision Patients.

On completion of this course the students should have:

• advanced knowledge and skills in their selected fields of clinical optometry;
• a detailed knowledge in the use and application of specific advanced diagnostic techniques and/or instrumentation;
• an advanced ability to evaluate and synthesize research from the scientific and clinical literature;
• an appreciation of the value of, and the ability to achieve, collaboration with other healthcare professionals as an effective means to aid clinical problem-solving;
• the capacity to interpret and integrate information from a variety of sources (such as patient presentation details, advanced diagnostic techniques, scientific, clinical and technical literature, and other healthcare professionals), in the development of the most appropriate patient management;
• the ability and initiative to offer enhanced clinical services based on their in-depth study in selected fields of clinical optometry;
• have advanced their clinical skills and developed a flexibility of outlook such that they are better able to respond to future paradigm shifts in the scope of optometric management.

Subject Level - 9

Subject Title - Management of Low Vision Patients

(formerly OPTO90007 Clinical Management of Low Vision)

Points - 25

Compulsory

Core subject

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
• either
– a four-year Australian degree in Optometry, or equivalent, or
– professional experience deemed by the Selection Committee to be equivalent to a four-year Australian degree in Optometry.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic performance; and, if relevant
• any documented relevant professional experience.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

After the completion of this course, students can get a full 25 credit points of advanced standing towards the Master of Clinical Optometry.

he Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:

• Academically excellent:
• have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
• have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
• reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
• be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
• be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
• Knowledgeable across disciplines:
• examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
• expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
• have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
• have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment
• Leaders in communities:
• initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
• have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
• mentor future generations of learners
• engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs
• Attuned to cultural diversity:
• value different cultures
• be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
• have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
• respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
• Active global citizens:
• accept social and civic responsibilities
• be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
• have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics

On completion of this course the students should have:

• critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills
• the ability to integrate theory and practice and to apply this in complex situations
• an openness to new ideas
• planning and time management skills
• the ability to communicate complex clinical cases in both oral and written form