Jillian Flaherty

Jill qualified as a Dispensing Optician in 2004 via the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) Distance Learning and holds dual registration with CORU in Ireland and General Optical Council in the UK. She has extensive experience in both independent and multiple practice settings. Jill is actively involved with education, training and promotion of the profession.

In her current role, Jill supports the leadership and peer-to-peer development of clinicians, across Ireland and the UK, as they work towards their ambition of becoming practice owners at Specsavers.

Jill was Dispensing Optician Practitioner representative on CORU’s Fitness to Practice for two consecutive terms, Professional Conduct Committee. Prior to the appointment she was the Dispensing Optician (DO) practitioner representative on CORU’s Education Review panel overseeing the recognition of the Ophthalmic Dispensing course offered by Dublin Institute of Technology as an approved qualification.

She has previously tutored for the ABDO Distance Learning Dispending Optician Course and examined for Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (WCSM) Optical support courses. She has written, delivered and facilitated many CPD sessions. She has been involved in tutoring the BTEC Level 4 Certificate in Optical Dispensing as a progression path towards the ABDO Dispensing Diploma; and as a mentor to TU Dublin DO students on placement.

Jill would like to see a continued multi-disciplinary approach to patient care and the expansion of the scope of practice for both Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians.