RANZCO Eye Camp: Start your training program with the right skills
Induction for trainees occurs from selection and across the first six months at RANZCO.
A key part of induction is the Eye Camp, a five-day residential induction program held in late January or early February every year. It is an essential part of welcoming new trainees to the RANZCO Vocational Training Program, and it includes the teaching of microsurgical skills, communication, cultural safety and clinical skills.
The 2025 Eye Camp was held 21-22 January and supported by Roche.
At the end of Eye Camp, a new trainee should have:
- acquired practical micro-surgical and clinical skills to ensure that early clinical exposure is enhanced and safety is ensured.
- been introduced to the examination and assessment of the ophthalmic patient with a focus on engaging in culturally safe and sensitive communication that facilitates trust and the building of respective relationships.
- a clear understanding of the requirements and expectations of their role as trainee and the role of the supervisor/clinical tutor.
- discussed information about RANZCO and the Vocational Training Program, know what is expected of them and the way in which their work will be monitored and assessed.
- met their fellow trainees and formed a cohesive learning group that can support them throughout their training.
- met key RANZCO staff, including the Censor-in-Chief, a range of Fellows, as well as some final year trainees.
The Program
Preparation: Access to the Learning Management System (LMS) is sent in advance and trainees are asked to familiarise themselves with the VTP Home site on the LMS. Here trainees complete a short online module prior to induction, aimed to allow richer questions and discussion on the day.
| Program | |
|---|---|
| Part 1 | Microsurgical Program |
| Day 1-3: Hands-on microsurgical skills training covering - Instrument use; - Suturing; - Knot tying and trauma repair on animal and human eye and eye lid tissue; and - Introduction to phacoemulsification on the Eyesi computerised simulator. |
|
| Part 2 | Induction Program |
| Day 1: Communications and Cultural Safety Workshop (9am-5pm) An immersive workshop in which actors present as patients, designed to support trainees to develop skills and behaviours needed to provide safe and effective healthcare in sensitive, complex situations. Evening: Dinner and networking at venue |
|
| Day 2: Induction and Introduction Morning: Introduction to RANZCO's expectations, training requirements, policies and processes. Afternoon: Introduction to clinical ophthalmic pharmacology and emergency medicine. |
This is a general guide to the program only. The most up-to-date schedule is sent to trainees after selection.
Logistics
All components of the program are compulsory for trainees. Eye Camp incurs a cost and will be held either late January or mid-February and is timed to avoid the Australia Day (26 January) and Waitangi Day (6 February) public holidays.
There will be a fee for the RANZCO Induction Program (2 days). This will be invoiced by the College.
You will be invoiced separately for the Microsurgical Skills Course (3 days). This course is run by The University of Sydney.
Trainees will need to source and pay for their own accommodation for the RANZCO Induction program and the microsurgical skills course.
Applicants who are successful in being selected as RANZCO trainees will be updated with further details on how to prepare for and attend Eye Camp.
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