The call has gone out for a medical professional to fill a vacancy on a committee that advises the Optometry Board of Australia (OBA) the types of medicines that optometrists can administer and prescribe.
The National Boards and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) announced on 10 October 2023 that applications are sought from registered medical practitioners with relevant expertise to join the Scheduled Medicines Advisory Committee.
The committee works to advise the OBA regarding the administration or prescribing of scheduled medicines by optometrists for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
This includes scheduled medicines or classes of medicines that are suitable for optometrists to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, supply or use as part of their practise.
An example of this is a 2021 OBA rule change that allowed Australian optometrists to begin prescribing prescription dry eye therapy lifitegrast (brand name, Xiidra) without the involvement of a medical practitioner.
The committee also helps develop guidelines or support materials to support safe and effective use of therapies among optometrists, and other matters the OBA may refer to occasionally.
“The National Boards and Ahpra have an important role in ensuring the development of a culturally safe and respectful health workforce that is responsive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples health and contributes to the elimination of racism in the provision of health services,” a statement said.
“To achieve this, we have committed to increasing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leadership and voices on Boards and committees and warmly invite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to apply.”
The organisations said applications are strongly encouraged from people with a diverse background such as culturally diverse people, people with a disability, carers, people living in rural or regional areas of Australia and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning (LGBTIQA+) people.
To view the vacancy and submit an application, please visit the website.
Applications close on Sunday 26 November 2023, 11:55pm, AEST.
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