Lecturer in Optometry

About Flinders

Our bold vision, captured in our Strategic Plan: making a Difference: The 2025 Agenda, is to be internationally recognised as a world leader in research, an innovator in contemporary education, and the source of Australia’s most enterprising graduates.

To realise this ambition, we recently made a significant organisation change to a six College structure with a professional staff and services alignment.

We recognise the key to our success is exceptional people and we’re seeking an outstanding individual to join the team of our transformed university.

Employment Type:

Continuing

Position Summary

Availability:
Continuing | Full-Time
Compensation Grade:
Academic Level B
Salary Range:
$99,827 - $118,135 p.a.
Reports To:
Dean (People & Resources), or Delegate
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Further Information:
We are currently seeking to fill this position with an Associate Lecturer or Lecturer in Optometry, aligned as either a Teaching Specialist (Academic) or (Clinical Practitioner)*.
This Teaching Specialist (Academic) or (Clinical/Practitioner) position, with its primary focus on teaching and teaching‐related activities drawing on contemporary/professional practice, has an important role to play in the University’s achievement of its strategic plan, Making a Difference: The 2025 Agenda.
The University is committed to a student‐centred ethos and to developing creative, enterprising, career‐ready graduates prepared to become lifelong contributors to society. In accordance with the strategic plan, the University seeks to:
• deliver a richly interactive and personalised approach to learning
focussed on student success;
• be an international leader in educational innovation, advanced learning
technologies and learning analytics; and
• develop enterprising graduates equipped with the skills required for
success in the knowledge economy.
The Lecturer in Optometry will contribute to excellence in teaching and learning across the suite of Optometry topics in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
The Lecturer in Optometry will be responsible for making an independent contribution to teaching and the scholarship of teaching using innovations in teaching practices and technologies to deliver excellence in teaching.
The Lecturer may also be involved in teaching across other courses in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences or other Colleges. The Lecturer will be required to make an independent, high-quality contribution to strengthening existing partnerships or exploring new partnerships with external stakeholders that have the potential for providing improved teaching, learning and/or research outcomes for the University.
The Lecturer will prioritise, coordinate, monitor workflow and provide informal day‐to-day feedback to all staff under their supervision according to the University’s policies, practices, and standards.
*The Lecturer (Clinical/Practitioner) will also be expected to concurrently engage in practice as an Optometrist in a clinical or community setting to support maintenance of contemporary practice.

Key Position Responsibilities

Teaching Specialist (Academic)

This position is predominantly concerned with teaching and teaching-related duties involving the creation, delivery, and continuous quality improvement of university-level education. It includes (but is not limited to):

• direct teaching informed by approaches that enhance the student experience; curriculum design and review;

• delivery innovation; advancements in education technologies; and

• making an independent contribution to maintaining internal course accreditation process to align with TEQSA requirements, and external compliance to professional accrediting bodies and associations.  

The position is also expected to make an independent contribution to high-quality university, professional and community service. The position does not include making a research contribution.

Teaching:

• Create, coordinate and conduct inspiring teaching informed by approaches that enhance the student experience, with a focus on Optometry topics, across all levels and modes, of the College.

• Contribute to the planning and evaluation of these topics, undertaking the role of Topic Coordinator as required.

• Make an independent contribution to the review, renewal, development and design of curricula and courses that are attractive to existing and new cohorts of students and that nurture creativity and critical-thinking skills.

• Provide support, academic counselling and professional advice to students concerning their studies, professional development and career opportunities.

• Make effective use of innovations and technologies in teaching practice.

University, Professional and Service:

• Participate in the College’s administrative activities such as membership of committees and working groups and attendance at College meetings.

• Maintain professional knowledge relevant to teaching within their discipline through scholarship and professional development.

• Engage in activities within a relevant external professional domain such as professional associations, conferences and workshops, and within a wider community context at local, national or international level.

• Provide high quality contribution to community service on behalf of the College and University.

• Undertake activities that promote the development of productive partnerships to provide opportunities for students and promote graduate employability.

• Some out of hours work (including weekends) as well as rural SA, interstate and overseas travel, may be required.

• Any other responsibilities in line with the level of the position as assigned by the Supervisor and / or the University.

Teaching Specialist (Clinical/Practitioner)

This position is predominantly concerned with teaching and teaching-related duties involving the creation, delivery, and continuous quality improvement of university-level education. It includes (but is not limited to):

• direct teaching informed by approaches that enhance the student experience; curriculum design and review;

• delivery innovation; advancements in education technologies; and

• making an independent contribution to maintaining internal and external compliance and accreditation of courses.

Appointees bring recent, ongoing (concurrent) and extensive experience and knowledge of contemporary clinical/professional practice to the position. The position is also expected to make an independent contribution to high-quality university, professional and community service. The position does not include making a research contribution.

Teaching:

• Create, coordinate and conduct inspiring teaching informed by approaches that enhance the student experience, with a focus on Optometry topics, across all levels and modes of the College, with a focus on clinical skills training and/or supervision of students undertaking work integrated learning.

• Contribute to the planning and evaluation of these topics, undertaking the role of Topic Coordinator as required.

• Make an independent contribution to the review, renewal, development and design of curricula and courses that are attractive to existing and new cohorts of students and that nurture creativity and critical- thinking skills.

• Provide support, academic counselling and professional advice to students concerning their studies, professional development and career opportunities.

• Make effective use of innovations and technologies in teaching practice.

University, Professional and Service:

• Participate in the College’s administrative activities such as membership of committees and working groups and attendance at College meetings.

• Maintain professional knowledge relevant to teaching within their discipline through scholarship and professional development.

• Engage in activities within a relevant external professional domain such as professional associations, conferences and workshops, and within a wider community context at local, national or international level.

• Provide high quality contribution to community service, including clinical practice in the University’s multidisciplinary clinic and/or satellite clinics and a focus on opportunities that maintain clinical skills currency, on behalf of the College and University.

• Undertake activities that promote the development of productive partnerships to provide opportunities for students and promote graduate employability.

• Some out of hours work (including weekends) as well as rural SA, interstate and overseas travel, may be required.

• Any other responsibilities in line with the level of the position as assigned by the Supervisor and/or the University.

Key Position Capabilities

Teaching Specialist (Academic)

• Completion of a PhD or EdD or equivalent qualification in Optometry.

• Currently registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as an Optometrist.

• An Optometry qualification which enables registration by the Optometry Board of Australia, or direct admission to the OCANZ Competency in Optometry Examination.

• Holds a qualification that enables scheduled medicines endorsement for registered optometrist in Australia and New Zealand.

• Hold and maintain a current membership with Optometry Australia.

• Evidence of excellence in teaching performance in Optometry at a tertiary level, inclusive of classroom, simulation, and the clinical setting.

• Evidence of an independent contribution to the development, delivery and evaluation of innovative teaching and learning strategies, including student assessment.

• Evidence of reflective practice.

• Demonstrated understanding of curriculum reviews and internal and external accreditation activities.

• Demonstrated understanding of the nexus between teaching and learning, research, scholarship and practice.

• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with staff, students and industry.

• Demonstrates a commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture, and role modelling behaviours that support the University’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

• Demonstrated experience in inter-disciplinary teamwork, and a comprehensive understanding of the benefits and practicalities of inter-disciplinary education.

• Evidence of upholding the values and ethos of the University.

• Knowledge and experience in teaching optical dispensing and/or contact lenses (desirable)

• Demonstrated experience and innovation using e-learning platforms for teaching purposes (desirable).

Teaching Specialist (Clinical/Practitioner)

• Doctorate in a relevant field or equivalent clinical experience and standing in Optometry.

• Currently registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as an Optometrist

• An Optometry qualification which enables registration by the Optometry Board of Australia, or direct admission to the OCANZ Competency in Optometry Examination.

• Holds a qualification that enables scheduled medicines endorsement for registered optometrist in Australia and New Zealand.

• Hold and maintain a current membership with Optometry Australia.

• Relevant and contemporary clinical experience as an Optometrist.

• An understanding of pedagogical theory and contemporary education practice relevant to Optometry.

• Evidence of excellence in teaching performance at a tertiary level, inclusive of simulation and/or clinical setting.

• Relevant and contemporary clinical experience in a relevant field and ability to maintain concurrently within or outside of this position.

• Evidence of an independent contribution to the development, delivery and evaluation of innovative teaching and learning strategies both in the classroom and in clinical education, including student assessment.

• Evidence of reflective practice.

• Demonstrated understanding of curriculum reviews and internal and external accreditation activities.

• Demonstrated understanding of the nexus between teaching and learning, research, scholarship and practice.

• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with staff, students and industry.

• Demonstrates a commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture, and role modelling behaviours that support the University’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

• Evidence of upholding the values and ethos of the University.

• Knowledge and experience teaching optical dispensing (desirable)

• Experience in coordinating and/or leading the activities of other staff (desirable ).

• Demonstrated experience and innovation using e-learning platforms for teaching purposes (desirable).

• Experience in development of international and short course teaching delivery or collaboration (desirable).

• Advanced knowledge of course accreditation requirements for relevant area (desirable).

Prescribed Conditions for Employment

Flinders University has introduced a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy that requires all new staff members to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, subject to medical exemptions. 

Pursuant to Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016 (SA) this position has been deemed prescribed.  It is an inherent requirement of the position that the successful candidate maintains a current Working With Children Check which is satisfactory to the University.

Information for Applicants:

You are required to provide a suitability statement of no more than three pages, addressing the key capabilities of the position as outlined above. In addition, you are required to upload your CV.

A valid National Police Certificate which is satisfactory to the University will also be required before the successful applicant can commence in this position.

We are seeking to increase the diversity to improve equal opportunity outcomes for employees, and therefore we encourage female applicants, people with a disability and/or from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders descent to apply.

Please note, late applications and applications sent via agencies will not be accepted.

Applications Close 11:59pm:

05 Jun 2022