Volunteer Profile – Samantha Aitkenhead, BOSTU General Secretary
What’s the best thing about being an orthoptist?
I love coming into work each day and interacting with the patients and hopefully making their patient journey a good experience with lots of empathy and understanding for the challenges they may face along the way.
The favourite part of my job is when we have students visit our department on placement and I watch them develop over the weeks into confident soon to be orthoptists. I love that I get to inspire the future generation of orthoptists and help them share my passion.
Why did you become an orthoptist?
My children had all been under the care of an orthoptist, so I had some understanding of the profession and I wanted to give back to a profession who had helped restore my children’s vision and do the same for other parents.
What is your proudest achievement in the role?
When I took on my role our Unions industrial relations (representation and support for members) was provided by another Union. I wanted orthoptists to be represented and supported by orthoptists who knew about the profession and the challenges we face.
The contract was due to go up for tender, so I submitted a tender to the BIOS board and was successful. I brought our union back in house, a union for orthoptists run by orthoptists.
What’s the best thing about volunteering for BIOS?
I feel a great sense of achievement in giving something back to my profession. I have learnt many skills along the way and my time volunteering has made me a better orthoptist and a better leader with a greater understanding for the wider NHS.
I would encourage anyone who is thinking of volunteering to just take the leap and go for it.
Both the BIOS Trustees Board and the BOSTU Executive Board welcome anyone no matter what level of experience or knowledge you may have. Both boards are there every step of the way to encourage and support you on your volunteering journey.
People are put off volunteering because of their workloads but how have you made this work?
My role is a seconded role of 2 days per week, and I am lucky enough to have a manager who supports my vision for our trade union. The most important tip I could give to any volunteer is to have an open conversation with their manager about the volunteer role and the dedication and time it requires so they can support you along the way.
What’s the biggest challenge facing the orthoptic profession?
Growing our workforce and remaining valuable in the workplace.
If you could change one thing to benefit orthoptics, what would it be?
Allow orthoptists to have prescribing rights.
Why is BIOS important?
BIOS is so important because they are a professional body who has its members at the forefront of everything they do. On a daily basis BIOS and BOSTU are working tirelessly to improve and develop the world of Orthoptics.