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Optometry Australia Mentoring Case Study

Optometry Australia

Non-profit Organization Management
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Mentoring from Optometry Australia -
A Membership Community.

This case study explores the challenges faced by Optometry Australia, the solution PushFar offer and the results of implementing a mentoring program.

An introduction

Optometry Australia represents 85% of registered optometrists in Australia. The peak professional body provides the networks, support and guidance to help its members succeed. Since 1918, the organisation has united the sector to make Australia a world leader in the delivery of vision and eye health services and patient care.
  • The optometry sector is rapidly changing as a result of fast-moving technological, societal, economic and now, pandemic transformation. Scope of practice, patient and clinical management is evolving, along with community expectation of health care providers.
  • The sector is now 57% female, 43% male with majority under 45 years old.
  • Optometry Australia is committed to providing skills and support needed to assist members to successfully navigate current and emerging challenges and opportunities.
  • “To connect with strangers you admire in
    the same profession is incredibly powerful”

    Sophie Koh, National Professional Services Advisor

    The Challenges

  • Australia is represented by corporate and independent optometry practices. Irrelevant of the ownership model, optometrists are typically based in small workplaces.
  • While on-going professional development is a pre-requisite for registration, it is often skills such as dealing with constant change, owning a practice, managing workplace stress, negotiating a promotion or a contract and work-life balance that can help drive career progression and satisfaction.
  • Understanding this, Optometry Australia sought a solution that would enable members to connect, to share and to learn from each other.
  • The Solution

  • With members located all over Australia and abroad, a digital mentor platform was seen as an ideal way to provide members with an efficient virtual environment to connect.
  • Optometry Australia selected PushFar as it offered a highly accessible and tailored digital solution easily accessible via the click of a mouse irrelevant of where members lived or worked across Australia.
  • The process of implementing the mentor solution was fast, with the PushFar team offering guidance throughout.
  • PushFar has created a space where Optometry Australia’s members can access career and professional development guidance and advice from their peers within a safe and private digital setting.
  • The Results

  • The initial pilot saw 100 people sign up to the program when launched in early 2020. 46% of were in mentoring relationships within the first week.
  • 120 members signed up to the platform in the first six months.
  • The program is aiding members – particularly recent graduates who are starting out – to develop their careers, to expand their skills and to understand the many, varied career paths that optometry can provide.
  • What's Next?

  • Optometry Australia is aiming for at least 200-300 members within the mentor program by end of 2022
  • Start your mentoring program with PushFar! 🚀

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