Stepping Up to Practice

J&J Vision’s STEP^® pre-reg program provides a core foundation of support to pre-reg trainees through various modes of learning. The program is designed to promote independent learning and encourage positive well-being in order to allow trainees to develop into highly competent and skillful optometrists.

We sat down with Robyn Marsden, optometrist, professional affairs consultant for J&J Vision, and member of the STEP^® team, to find out more.

Can you outline the goals of the STEP^® pre-reg program?

The program supports optometry students on their journey from undergraduate to newly qualified optometrist. It covers the complete range of required competencies, including binocular vision, low vision, dispensing, and pathology competencies, and is run by a faculty of experienced assessors, examiners, and optometrists from a variety of settings across the UK. The main goal of the STEP^® program is to support students all the way through to qualification and beyond, to apply their learning to real patient cases and scenarios that they will experience in practice.

The STEP^® program is free of charge. All UK-based optometry students are eligible to join, with sign-up opportunities following presentations at universities.

How does the program draw on J&J Vision’s resources for its content and direction?

STEP^® leverages the exceptional facilities at our Johnson & Johnson Institute in Berkshire to offer immersive, face-to-face practical courses. These day-long courses provide students with valuable feedback on their techniques, enhancing skills for effective patient care on a daily basis, while also preparing them for qualification exams. In addition, we engage with undergraduate students through interactive workshops held at various universities, fostering an enjoyable learning experience.

To accommodate varied learning preferences, our faculty also conduct live online webinars via Zoom, featuring real-time chat support. This ensures that every student receives guidance as they progress through different stages of qualification and beyond.

A vital component of the program is fostering connections among students from various universities, as well as those undertaking pre-registration placements in different environments. This collaboration allows them to share best practices and grow together into competent clinicians.

What topics are covered in the virtual classes, and how do these sessions complement the existing pre-registration training? ​

All required competencies are covered by the STEP^® program – binocular vision, dispensing, pathology, refraction – through virtual classes, online learning modules, quizzes, and face-to-face days at the Johnson & Johnson Institute. The program is designed to ensure everyone gets support in the topics they need, in a learning format they like, and at a time that suits them.

How has STEP^® adapted its curriculum to address emerging topics in optometry and align with university departments? ​

STEP^® works closely with the university departments to ensure the content compliments undergraduate learning. It doesn’t teach the full curriculum; the universities do a fabulous job of that. The purpose of STEP^® is to get students to understand how their university education can be best applied in a practice setting for the benefit of patients. We get students and newly qualified optometrists to question why they have chosen a particular technique, why they have asked a question in a certain way, or why they have managed a patient in the way they have. Education is patient-centred throughout the program.

Any new developments for the commencement of the 2025/26 academic year?

Yes! From later this year students in the UK will no longer have just one route to qualify as optometrists. As a result, we have worked with all the UK universities and we are re-launching STEP^® in October 2025 to ensure the program fully meets the needs of every student, no matter their route to qualification. There will also be a route to join STEP^® outside university, and we are opening waiting lists for our face-to-face courses for those not currently on the program. We’re committed to supporting as many students as possible and we are excited to evolve the STEP^® program to meet their needs.

jnjvisionpro.co.uk/education-centre/jnj-institute/step/pre-reg