This is a fantastic and unique opportunity to embark on a journey towards a great career.
Starting as an Optical Assistant apprentice with future opportunities for career progression, you will be supported with loads of great, fun, and interactive training. You will use these exciting new skills in your day-to-day job, where you will gain customer service skills, knowledge in optical support, and develop behaviour suitable for working in an optical practice.
Those with a flair for fashion will love the new frames coming in, and if it's your forte, you may even get involved in meeting frame reps and helping choose the new ranges. If you are more technical, you will get to learn lots of information about lenses and measurements, then transform that information into jargon-free, easy-to-understand, customer-friendly language.
It's all about teamwork in an optician's practice. There are many roles, but you support each other to ensure your customers get the best experience possible. Optical assistants are a very important part of any optical practice and crucial to the customer journey. Individuals with a real passion for both healthcare and retail thrive in this role, as it's perfect for those who love to make a real difference in other people's lives.
The duties within this role include:
Greeting customers in a professional and friendly manner as they enter the practice
Interpreting and understanding a clinically issued prescription, its effects on the eye, and the customer's vision
Helping customer's select spectacle frame(s) that are suitable in terms of comfort, looks good and fits lifestyle requirements
Be able to explain the features and benefits of particular frames, using non-technical customer friendly language
Measuring the frames and ensure they are a suitable size for a customer and can accommodate their lenses
Adjusting customers spectacle frames using the correct tools to ensure stability and comfort
Basic frame repairs
Have a good knowledge of Ophthalmic lenses, tints and coatings to be able to meet visual / lifestyle requirements
Ordering prescription glasses and contact lenses in for the customer
Correct completion of NHS paperwork and written records in-line with company procedures
Making follow up appointments for customers
Use a focimeter to find the prescription from spectacles
Communicate contact lenses suitability, features and benefits
Carrying out pre-screening tests such as retinal imaging and pressure and visual field testing
Explaining offers and products to customers
Taking payments from customers
Being able to problem solve with basic optical concerns
Understanding business KPI's and how they affect the practices profitability
Training:
Level 3 Optical Assistant Qualification
Functional skills in English, maths (if not already achieved)
Training Outcome:The successful candidate will work towards achieving a Level 3 qualification in optical and gain experience in a busy optical practice.
Upon completion of the Level 3 qualification, you will be an experienced and qualified optical assistant, and as such, you can continue building up skills that will always be in demand. Career breaks and part time working are often possible.
You could go on to acquire higher level optical qualifications such as:
Ophthalmic Dispensing- Become a qualified Dispensing Optician
Contact lens Optician - fit Contact lenses
Low vision specialist - help people where traditional spectacles will not suffice. Supply low vision aids, magnifiers, advice on improving contrast and on other non-Optical aids such as bump-ons
Optometry courses - carry out full eye examinations and issue prescriptions
Clinical representative- visiting practices introducing new frame ranges and Ophthalmic lenses
In-practice trainer - You could use your knowledge to train others
Other non-clinical roles:
Practice Management - you could complete a management course
Practice ownership - you could go into business yourself, partnership or franchise
Employer Description:Opticians based in Wells, Somerset.Working Hours :Working Hours:
Monday - Friday - 09:00 - 17:30,
Saturday - 09:00 - 17:00Skills: Communication skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Customer care skills,Team working,Initiative....Read more...
