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Specialist Diploma in Community Optometry (SDCO)

Offered by School of Health Sciences

Post-Diploma / 1 year / TGS-2022011610

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Course Information
Learning Outcomes
Course Schedule
Lesson Plan
Trainer Profile
Certification
Entry Requirements
Course Fees
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Course Information

Loss of vision has a significant impact on well-being, As a trained optometrist, your role in vision care services provides you with a unique opportunity to lead the way in your community and improve access to eye care with the aim of promoting healthy vision.

Successful graduates may be eligible for 40 CPE points.


Modules offered for Oct Intake (Application Period: 1 Jun – 31 Jul)

Geriatric & Low Vision – Part of Post Diploma Certificate in Ocular Health (SDCO)* < Click to apply

*If you are keen to take up the full qualification, please sign up for the Specialist Diploma in Community Optometry (SDCO). The module(s) listed above is/are standalone modular course(s)].

Learning Outcomes

This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge in assessing visual impairment and prescribing low vision aids, detecting and managing ocular disorders in a community setting, and adopting the different strategies for refractive correction and myopia-related complications.

Course 
Schedule

Course Date: 15 Oct 2024
Application Period: 1 Jun 2024 – 31 Jul 2024

Days: Tue and Wed*
*(Note: Clinical attachments are dependent on hospital availability, hence some classes would be outside Tue/Wed).
Time: Tue (0800 – 1200), Wed (0800 – 1100)
Delivery Mode: Classroom, Asynchronous eLearning
Venue: Ngee Ann Polytechnic/Online

Ngee Ann Polytechnic reserves the right to reschedule/cancel any programme, modify the fees and amend information without prior notice.

Lesson Plan

Post-Diploma Certificate in Ocular Health (TGS-2022011630)
Module
Geriatric and Low Vision
You will examine the vision care of an aging population by studying the prevalence of age-related eye diseases in Singapore and other countries, and how they will affect the quality of life of the elderly. You will also gain skills in assessment of visual impairment and the prescription of low vision aids.
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Module
Ocular and Systemic Disease
You will deepen your knowledge in ocular and systemic diseases. You will learn to effectively assess, detect and manage ocular disorders in a community setting. You will also understand the relationship between common systemic diseases, as well as patients' overall well-being and ocular health.
Post-Diploma Certificate in Community Optometric Practice (TGS-2022011631)
Module
Refractive Correction Strategies
You will understand the indications, assessments methods, and management strategies of different refractive correction options (such as specialised contact lenses and ophthalmic lenses, and refractive surgeries). You will also learn about the advancements in materials and technology relating to the refractive correction options and their implementation.
Module
Myopia and Its Complications
This module examines the epidemiology, physiology, risk factors, measurements, corrections and clinical management of myopia. You will learn strategies to control myopia and myopia-related ocular complications.
Module
Clinical Practicum in Community Optometry
You will get to put your clinical skills into practice in a real-world setting and conduct eye examination on patients from different age groups in the community. You will gain first-hand experience in prescribing optical corrections and managing ocular disorders.

Trainer's Profile

Chua Ee Tee, Germaine

Germaine Chua is an experienced optometry educator with a strong academic background. She holds a Master's degree in Education from the University of Melbourne, where she honed her expertise in educational practices and instructional design from 2018 to 2020. She also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education from Nanyang Technological University, further enhancing her skills in academic leadership and student development from 2014 to 2015. Germaine obtained her Bachelor's degree in Optometry from Salus University in 2009. 

Germaine furthered her expertise with a Specialist Certificate in Contact Lens Patient Management from the University of Melbourne and is a Fellow at the International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE). She also obtained the Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA) from SkillsFuture SG to excel in instructional delivery and training facilitation. 

With 12 years of experience at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Germaine currently serves as the Course Chair for the Diploma in Optometry. She implements innovative teaching methods like game-based learning and e-learning to enhance student learning. Her expertise in higher education has contributed significantly to the success of the programme.  

Awards:  

  • NP Staff Excellence Award 2022- Service Learning Category  

From PET to CET: OPT Cross Level Collaboration and Design Thinking S-L  

  • NP Staff Excellence Award 2020 - Community Service & Engagement  

Infection Prevention And Control 101 Course For The Community To Fight COVID-19 

  • MOE Innergy Award (Bronze) 2020  

Virtual Optometrist  

  • NP School Academic Development Award 2020  

Signature Pedagogies in the Profession (SPiP) for Authentic Learning in OPT Curriculum  

  • NP School Academic Development Award 2016  

A Unique Ecosystem of ICT Enabled Innovations for Learning in HS  

  • NP School Teaching Award 2015 

Prior to her current role as Course Chair, Germaine held positions as a Lecturer and Senior Manager at NPOC. Her commitment to advancing optometry education earned her a previous role as a Lecturer and Assistant Manager from November 2011 to March 2017. 

In addition to her academic career, Germaine worked as community based optometrist, gaining valuable insights into patient care and operations. Her dedication to excellence drives her success in both educational and practical aspects of optometry. 

Certification

1 Specialist Diploma in Community Optometry
2 Certificates
6 Modules

Entry Requirements

Applicants with any of the following qualifications are invited to apply for the course:

For application of *Work-Study Programme and **Non Work-Study Programme, candidates need to meet the following criteria:

(a) Diploma in Optometry or other Optometry qualifications recognized by OOB; and

(b) Valid practicing certificate in Singapore with full registration with OOB.

Course Fees

Funding period for this course is from 21 Feb 2022 to 20 Feb 2025.

SkillsFuture Credit
All Singaporeans aged 25 and above can use their $500 SkillsFuture Credit from the government to pay for a wide range of approved skills-related courses. Visit the SkillsFuture Credit website to choose from the courses available on the Training Exchange course directory. The credits can be used on top of existing course fee subsidies/funding. This is only applicable for self-sponsored applicants and must be applied via the SkillsFuture Portal. More details on the SkillsFuture Credit Claims will be advised upon admission into the course.

Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)
NTUC members enjoy 50% unfunded course fee support for up to $250 each year (or up to $500 for NTUC members aged 40 years old and above) when you sign up for courses supported under UTAP (Union Training Assistance Programme). Please visit e2i’s website to find out more.

Skills-Based Modular Courses (SBMCs) are bite-sized part-time courses for individuals to acquire new skills or deepen relevant skills, without the need to pursue a full diploma. Refer here for course fees for SBMCs.

GST Increment in 2024
Please note that the GST rate will be revised to 9% with effect from 1 Jan 2024, as such any payable course fees will be subjected to the new GST rate adjustments in 2024. Please refer to our STEP portal for the updated fees. (Click on STEP)

Note:

  • Please refer to our FAQs for more information.
  • The fees below are determined based on prevailing funding policies and subject to review and revision.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic reserves the right to reschedule/cancel any programme, modify the fees and amend information without prior notice.

Applicants / Eligibility Fees
Singapore Citizens aged below 40$348.85
Singapore Citizens aged 40 & above$240.17
Singapore Citizens sponsored by SME$240.17
Singapore PRs $952.56
Singapore PRs sponsored by SME$246.96
Full course fee for SC (for repeat, deferred modules)$2326.65
Full course fee (for repeat, deferred modules)$2381.40