EYES ON QUALITY CARE

Patient centred focus for OPSM Optometrist who’s building a life and career in Ballarat and setting a new standard in client care

RAJINDER Uppal graduated from Optometry at the University of Melbourne 18 years ago and brought her first OPSM Optometry franchise, in Wendouree, four years later.

Rajinder said she always wanted to work in healthcare, and optometry simply fell into her lap.

“OPSM has given me the right opportunities at the right time, I just needed the courage to embrace them,” she said.

What she particularly loves about working in regional areas is the ability to build connections with her patients.

“I have treated patients from when they were in prep with their first pair of glasses, to when they left University,” she said.

“Over that time, I have been able to build relationships with their whole families.

“To be able to achieve that is an accomplishment… the fact that they keep coming back means that I am doing something right.”

Rajinder also loves the variety of her work. “On any given day I get to switch between seeing patients, to coaching young team members, to coming up with creative ideas of how I can improve my business, all while maintaining our focus on delivering high quality eye care,” she said.

“There aren’t many industries where I’d be able to do that.”

Rajinder said it’s important that Optometrists continue to deliver high quality eye care.

“Over the next 10 years I think we are going to see a lot of challenges for the profession. What I hope is that we continue to be respected for what we do. Optometrists play a crucial role in our communities,” she said.

“At a time when everybody seems to be striving for higher volume, it is important to me that when patients come to my practice, they can be assured that we’ll spend the time to get to know them, as well as their visual needs, and we’ll exceed their expectations by delivering exceptional eye care and high-quality product.

“I want my practice to be role models in the optical franchise world. When I hang up my trail frame for the last time, I want it to be with the assurance that I made a difference.

“I want to know that I inspired my team members to learn that with courage and hard work they can achieve their dreams.

“My patients are much more to me than a pair of eyes and I want to make sure that I made a difference in their lives, no matter how small.”