Vocational Training Program
The objective of the Vocational Training Program (VTP) is to produce a specialist ophthalmologist who, on completion of training, is equipped to undertake safe, unsupervised, comprehensive, general ophthalmology practice.
The College envisages an “ideal training system” in which the best Trainees are selected and appointed, and then undergo high quality training experiences. Systems have been developed to capture feedback to and from all parties involved in training and assessment. This feedback enables continuous quality improvement of the training system.
Training and assessment through the VTP continues to produce ophthalmologists of the highest order by continuing to develop the key capabilities that underpin the selection of trainees. These are experience and expertise in medical and clinical decision-making, and other professional capabilities of a specialist ophthalmologist: communication, collaboration, leadership and management, health advocacy, scholarly activity, cultural safety and general professional attributes.
The Vocational Training Program Curriculum and Assessment Overview outlines the General Ophthalmology Competencies that should be demonstrated for graduation, and outlines the four main Domains of Learning and their associated learning outcomes.
The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework 2021-2024 provides a detailed outline of the monitoring and evaluation of educational activities and programs that will be undertaken by RANZCO in alignment with the current RANZCO Strategic Plan.
Structure and Duration of Training
The VTP takes five years to complete. For fees related to the program, please visit Trainee Fees. To understand changes affecting the VTP from 2022, please download this flyer. The VTP comprises of:
- Basic Training – two years of basic training during which trainees must demonstrate integrated foundational clinical skills and knowledge in the Ophthalmic Sciences (OS) and the Ophthalmic Basic Competencies and Knowledge (OBCK)
- Advanced Training – two years of advanced training during which Trainees are expected to demonstrate integrated knowledge, clinical and surgical skills in specific areas of practice as documented in the clinical standards
- Final Year Training– a final year during which the Trainee develops their specialist experience in preparation for specialist qualification and to function in the community as an independent general ophthalmologist.
On completion of the VTP graduates are eligible to apply for Fellowship, the highest professional membership category. The Fellowship application is available via the ‘Application’ tile in the RANZCO portal.
For more information about the structure and duration of training, please see here.