Regional Engagement Officer

To arrange, attend and support the three Wales Regional Optical Committee meetings

• To support Regional Optical Committee members in attending meetings with the seven Local Health Boards within the Regions and maintain good working relationships and effective communication channels between the ROCs and Health Boards
• To provide advice/support to Committee member(s) who represent the ROC at meetings with the LHB(s) including Liaison group meetings, Eye Care Collaborative Groups etc.
• To work alongside the (relevant) ROC Chair and Optometry Wales CEO to address issues or concerns raised by contractors and performers across Wales
• To be a contact for all optometry practices within the regions to receive feedback on local and national issues, provide support on issues being faced and to encourage attendance at ROC meetings
• To regularly link with the Optometry Collaborative Leads across each of the Regions/ Local Health Board areas to provide advice and support, share best practice and discuss issues as they arise (and escalate as appropriate)
• To support in the delivery of Continued Professional Development at a Regional level and Nationally as required.
• To work with contractors across the Regions in order to maximise the amount of NHS funding spent on NHS optometry services each year and to identify any obstacles to the successful delivery of those services and work with the ROC and LHBs in identifying solutions to those barriers as required.
• To work with contractors across the Regions to ensure engagement with the roll-out of any new services or requirements
• To work as a member of the Optometry Wales team to ensure consistency of approach and application throughout Wales
• To be engaged, together with the other members of the OW team, in developing briefings for contractors in relation to specific services’ delivery to improve awareness, delivery and solutions for overcoming obstacles
• To be engaged, together with the other members of the OW team in developing briefings and position papers on optometry issues (including those to support contract negotiations); creating support materials for practices on delivering all contractual requirements, creating materials to support Optometry Collaborative leads and in supporting development of the Optometry Wales website and the preparation of Board and Council reports.
• To support in communication/PR & media relations including relationships with MSs/MPs including the attendance as appropriate at political visits across Wales.
• To act as deputy to the Optometry Wales Optometric Advisor (and other members of the Optometry Wales team where appropriate) as required and to undertake any other tasks as reasonably requested
• With reasonable notice, to undertake broader duties of the Optometry Wales team, where temporary cover for this is required in the event of absence or peak workload