Future-Focused: Strengthening Clinical Placements at Specsavers

At Specsavers, we are deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of optometrists through our Clinical Placement Program. This initiative provides students in the final stages of their optometry education with invaluable, hands-on experience in real-world clinical settings. 

We recognise, however, that hosting a placement student can present challenges for store partners—particularly when balancing the demands of a busy practice with the responsibilities of supervision and mentorship. 

To address this, we have introduced the Senior Optometrist Role Pilot. This initiative is designed to provide dedicated support and guidance to placement students, thereby easing the supervisory burden on store partners. By ensuring students receive structured mentorship, the Senior Optometrist role enhances the overall placement experience while contributing positively to store operations.

Deeksha Rao, a 2021 graduate of Deakin University and participant in the pilot program, shares her insights into supervising a placement student and reflects on how the role has supported her own professional development. 

Read on to discover how this initiative is creating meaningful benefits for students, optometrists, and stores alike—and how you can play a part in shaping the future of the profession. 

 Can you tell us about your experience hosting a clinical placement student? 

I recently supervised a clinical placement student from Deakin University for their final 3-month block. While I’ve supervised students in the past, this was my first time acting as a student’s primary supervisor. It came with greater responsibility, as I had to assess the types of clinical tasks the student was ready to undertake based on their confidence and capabilities. Although the student was eager to learn, I found myself needing to initiate some coaching conversations to support their development. It pushed me outside my comfort zone — but that’s where growth happened for both of us. It was incredibly rewarding to witness their progress over time, and I’m proud to have played a part in their learning journey. I’ve always believed that supervising students is an opportunity to help shape the future of optometry, and this experience truly reinforced that for me. 

How do you think your role as a Senior Optometrist has supported your store partners?  

By taking the lead on student supervision, I was able to contribute meaningfully to the student’s learning experience, enhance my own professional skills, and assist our store partners. This allowed them to concentrate on the broader responsibilities of running the business, confident that the student was receiving quality guidance. The result was a more efficient store environment, with clearly defined roles, aligned expectations, and a more balanced distribution of tasks. 

From a store’s perspective, what benefits have you seen from having a clinical placement student on the team? 

Having an optometry student who was still developing their clinical skills encouraged the team to reflect on and refine our own practical knowledge. As the placement progressed, the student began contributing in meaningful ways—gaining hands-on experience in the test room, assisting with visual fields testing, contact lens fittings, and using clinical technologies such as the OCT. These contributions demonstrated how students can become valuable members of the team while continuing to learn and grow. 

What specific skills or strengths as a Senior Optometrist do you feel you’ve gained as a result of hosting and supporting students on clinical placement? 

This role has significantly enhanced my leadership capabilities. I’ve developed the confidence to provide constructive feedback and step into a leadership position when needed. One of the most valuable skills I’ve gained is the ability to think proactively and manage my time efficiently. Balancing student supervision with the care of my own patients required strategic planning to ensure the clinic operated smoothly. It challenged me to become more adaptable, maintaining high standards of patient care while also fostering a meaningful learning experience for the student. 

What advice would you give to store partners considering taking on a clinical placement student in their store? 

While supervising a student does require additional time—particularly when they need more guidance—the structure of the Senior Optometrist role helped distribute responsibilities across the team, making the experience more manageable and rewarding for everyone involved. It is a significant responsibility, but one that is ultimately worthwhile. Contributing to a student’s development was incredibly fulfilling, and knowing that my efforts are helping to shape the future of optometry made the experience all the more meaningful.