Consider volunteering with the College as a Coach. Share your knowledge and expertise, and work with your fellow practitioners, while making a lasting impact on the vision and eye health of Ontarians. The College is actively seeking optometrists to add to its current roster of Coaches.
Why apply?
There are many benefits to becoming a College Coach. You will broaden your professional horizons and you will contribute to the self-regulation of optometrists in the interest of the public of Ontario.
What’s a College coach?
Many different College processes involve the use of a peer coach. Coaches are used by the Quality Assurance Committee, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) and the Discipline Committee. Peer coaching improves and optimizes the quality of patient care, patient management, patient communication, and interprofessional collaboration. You will help your colleagues to succeed and improve their practice in a tangible, hands-on way.
A College coach works with registrants to develop and carry out a remediation plan to address concerns. The coach meets with a registrant to identify learning objectives, activities, success indicators, and time frames for the plan. Work with a registrant may include one-on-one coaching, formal learning activities, review of patient records, and learning of techniques. Coaching sessions may take place virtually. Coaches may also monitor the registrant and may need to provide a written report to the committee/Registrar on the registrant’s progress.
Are coaches remunerated?
Coaches are remunerated for College activities. Subject to the College’s policies, Coaches are paid per hour for their work and preparation time. The number of assignments can vary from year to year, and the College cannot guarantee a minimum number of assignments or coaching engagements per year.
Who should apply?
We are looking for engaged, enthusiastic optometrists who are:
- in good standing with the College
- engaged actively in clinical practice (a “practicing member” of the College)
- 5+ years’ into their career and have been registered with the College for that time
- interested in assisting their peers to help improve and enhance knowledge, skills, and judgment across the profession
- possess a strong sense of professional responsibility and commitment to peer support and public protection
- knowledgeable about current standards of practice of the profession and College policies
- excellent communicators
- able to write clearly and concisely and to provide constructive feedback
- experienced with computer programs
- not involved in a current investigation or a past complaint/investigation where action was taken
What happens if my application is successful?
A training session will be held virtually in November 2023. New coaches will be required to attend this training session.
How do I apply?
Please forward your resume with a cover letter that states your interest in becoming a College coach, your reasons for applying, and your applicable qualifications by September 12, 2023.
Email: QA@collegeoptom.on.ca
Mail: College of Optometrists of Ontario, 65 St. Clair Ave. E., Suite 900, Toronto, ON M4T 2Y3
Fax: 647 577 4271
Questions?
If you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to contact the College at QA@collegeoptom.on.ca.