Barry Orourke

Background

About Barry Orourke

My Name is Barry O’Rourke and I am a fully registered Optometrist with Coru. I graduated from DIT with my Bachelors degree in Optometry in 2014. I have been working full time for the past 10 years. Firstly my Pre. Reg. was in Specsavers Grafton St. and then after graduation in Specsavers Cork City both very large and busy stores. This meant time management was of the utmost importance in order to efficiently and precisely assess the specific needs of each patient and deliver a professional caring service. I was part of large teams requiring good communication and integration between various different departments so that the service provided was smooth and accommodating for the patients. During my time working as an optician in Italy I had become very proficient in the Italian Language as well as experiencing a new culture and way of life. I had two positions as an optician whilst in Italy both were with relatively small family run businesses with a real focus on high quality and personal customer care. I have found a new appreciation for the care and service that we provide as optometrists here in Ireland and how important it is to drive forward the scope of practice and promote the role an optometrist plays within a community. My most recent experience after returning to Ireland in 2019 was with my previous employer in Cork City and then shortly after moving onto the suburb Specsavers store of Wilton Cork. Here I found truly great customer service and being part of an amazing, caring and focused team. I also learned that supporting the team meant giving my all no matter where I was needed. This included covering shifts in sister stores of Ballincollig and Bandon in order to achieve our goals and targets. It's in Wilton also I got my first experience of mentoring Pre. Reg. students by being part of the TUD supervisors programme. It reminded me of my Pre. Reg. placement and the importance that a supervisor holds in encouraging and teaching students how to be the best eye care professionals they can be and reach their full potential.