Introduction

This vacancy is for an Apprentice Optical Assistant based in Shropshire.

Administration tasks, reception work, meeting and greeting patients, assisting in the choosing and dispensing of glasses, ordering and fitting of glasses. Working within a small team focussed on delivering friendly and caring service to the local community.

About the Employer

Suzanne Floyd Optometrist is an independent, family-run opticians based in Craven Arms, Shropshire . Established in 1992, the practice offers comprehensive eye examinations, NHS sight tests, contact lens fittings, and a wide selection of eyewear for the local community

What You'll Do

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.

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.

Skills Required

Communication skills
Initiative
Non judgemental

Qualifications

Essential - GCSE - English - 4/C or above
Essential - GCSE - Maths - 4/C or above

Course Information

Course: Optical assistant 2022 (level 3)

Level: 3

Route: Health and science

Apprenticeship Level: Advanced

Working Arrangements

Working Week: Tuesday to Friday, 9:30am - 5.00pm. Saturday, 9.00am - 1.00pm.

Expected Duration: 1 Year 6 Months

Training Provider: TRAINING 2000 LIMITED

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