Become A Member
> Become A Member
MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO ALL OPTOMETRISTS
AND DISPENSING OPTICIANS PRACTICING IN NORTHERN IRELAND.
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
Local DOCET Approved Interactive CET
Covering all competencies including specialty points .
The courses are free or heavily discounted to members:
- Contact Lens Day
- Evening Lectures
- Workshops
- Peer Discussion
CONFERENCES
Members meet with colleagues in both a social and educational atmosphere; it is normally held in September or October. This provides a great opportunity to get to know other members, young and old, and to meet with colleagues from other medical specialties.
SUBSCRIBE TO REGULAR UPDATES
By subscribing to our website you will receive emailed updates of local events, news items, vacancies and purchasing opportunities as well as keeping you updated on local and UK-wide professional issues and events.
NIOS COUNCIL
This provides a forum for local feedback from professional bodies, government bodies and other professional associations within Northern Ireland and abroad. The NIOS President represents the Society at UK and Irish Optical Society Meetings to further local professional interests.
CHARITY, GOLF AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
Events will be posted here on the website.
OTHER BENEFITS OF THE NEW NIOS WEBSITE:
•Staff recruitment • Contact lists • Events calendar • Professional links • Members’ articles • Buy/Sell equipment.
HOW DO I JOIN & HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
ONI VOLUNTARY LEVY SCHEME
- The Northern Ireland Optometric Society (NIOS) and Optometry Northern Ireland (ONI) wish to encourage all Northern Ireland practice owners to join the Levy Scheme.
- The Levy is calculated on the number of NHS eye examinations carried out by the practice.
- At present, the Levy is 1% of the total NHS eye examinations’ fees. It is collected each month through BSO OCS System by a deduction from the normal monthly payment.
- By joining the Levy, practice owners and Optometrist and Dispensing Optician employees of the practice are members of the NIOS.
- At present, any surplus funds can be invested to provide local education. NIOS has also awarded single charitable donations.
- NIOS Council believes that a Voluntary Levy Scheme is the best for the profession and encourages all to subscribe.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to all Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians practicing in Northern Ireland. Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians who are employed by levy paying practices/clinics are considered ordinary members. Any practice owners may join ONLY by the Levy Scheme.
Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians who are NOT employed by a levy paying practice, for example, self-employed Locum OOs/DOs or those employed by non-levy paying practices may join as an Associate Member. There is an annual fee of £120.00.
Any locum practitioners can also advertise on our Locum List for an annual fee of £120.00; this also entitles you to Associate Membership.
Hospital Optometrist Membership – Optometrists employed full-time/solely by HES (not claiming the BSO grant) can apply for free membership of the NIOS. If they wish, they may join as an Associate member.
Honorary Members – any person appointed by NIOS Council, due to special services given to Optometry.
Pre-registration and University Students can apply to become a member free of charge for as long as they remain an Under Graduate or Pre Reg.
HSCB employees may access NIOS events through the membership options above.
Any Optometrist/Dispensing Optician who does not practice in Northern Ireland, would be most welcome to attend NIOS events which are charged at competitive non-member rates.
NIOS Council is comprised of 12 local Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians who are elected by the membership each year at the AGM. Any voting members of the NIOS may be elected to Council.
If you wish to become a member, please complete a membership form (at the bottom of this page) and return signed and dated by post to NIOS – PO Box 2240 BELFAST BT13 9DA – with the appropriate membership fee enclosed if applicable.
