Meeting with Thierry Ha, optometrist coordinator at Swiss Visio

Dear Thierry, what's a typical day like with you?

7:00
First of all, I start by putting the team together! I look at the number of staff we have in relation to attendance, so that I can allocate posts and distribute tasks... this is important for planning the day properly. I usually do this in the morning, or the day before.

8:00
Before the first patients arrive, we prepare the consultation cubicles and the rooms in which the imaging equipment is set up. We consult the patients' files, which enables us to find out the reason for their consultation and carry out the tests the doctors will need. Anticipation is a key element in our work.

During the day
Then it's time for the parade of patients. After a medical history, we carry out the various tests that the doctor may need, such as refraction, measurement of intraocular pressure, OCT (scan of the retina or optic nerve) or topography (mapping of the cornea). Together, these can help the doctor to make a diagnosis, or monitor the progress of any pathology. Collaboration with doctors is important, as we send them the test reports and results instantly via the software. They can also ask us for additional tests.

4:00
It's time for the administrative side of things: taking stock of the needs of the various departments or management, staff, schedules, equipment and IT management. This is an important time to ensure that operations continue smoothly.

Just one more quick question... Do you have a nickname at work?

Ahh good question... yes, we all have nicknames in our team. I'm called Mister T. For Thierry, but also in reference to ‘The A-Team"! My motto is ‘there are no problems, only solutions’. I try to be exemplary and reliable!

A favourite book?

A book I read when I was a teenager: ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho. It really taught me the importance of following your dreams and going in search of your ‘personal legend’.