Volunteer Profile – Holly Kniazewycz, New Graduate Representative
What’s the best thing about being an orthoptist?
I love talking to people and working in a large Orthoptic and multidisciplinary team. I enjoy the challenge of figuring out a new patient’s diagnosis and investigating a patient with something atypical or rare. My favourite part of my job is when patients return for follow-up and are happy with their prism or results of their surgery.
Why did you become an orthoptist?
I always enjoyed science at school and I wanted to work in a person-centred job. I liked the idea of learning the speciality in such great detail.
What’s your best eye-related joke?
This joke is pretty corny… but mine is cornea …
How did you get started volunteering with BIOS?
I wanted to learn more about BIOS and the work that the organisation does. I applied for the New Graduate Representative role after I had worked as an orthoptist for a year and I felt that I had the capacity to take on a new challenge. I was keen to build on the work of the previous New Graduate Representatives and further expand the BIOS resources specifically for new graduates.
What’s the best thing about volunteering for BIOS?
It’s a great opportunity to improve your understanding of what BIOS does and learn more about national work amongst orthoptists and AHPs. The BIOS team are extremely supportive and have taught me so much during my time in the role. It has been so rewarding being able to provide help and guidance to newly graduated orthoptists across the country.
People are put off volunteering because of their workloads but how have you made this work?
Little and often is the approach I have taken. Utilising small periods of free time at the end of a clinic or on quieter days has been an effective way of keeping on top of things.
What didn’t you know about BIOS before you started volunteering?
Lots! I had only worked for 12 months prior to starting the role so my knowledge of BIOS was very limited. I wasn’t aware of how much work BIOS does to advocate for orthoptists on a national and international platform, which is extremely important.
What’s the biggest challenge facing the orthoptic profession?
Visibility! Not enough people know what we do and how important it is.
Why is BIOS important?
BIOS advocates for orthoptists and raises our profile as a profession. BIOS facilitates collaboration across the nation to build an orthoptic community and to drive Orthoptics forward.