Apprentice Optical Assistant

ROLE PURPOSE

As an Optical Assistant, you will provide exceptional patient care, ensuring that patients feel comfortable and engaged throughout their optical experience. You will support patients in choosing the perfect optical solution for their needs and leave them feeling confident that they have found the right practice for their ongoing eye care needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist with the selection and fitting of optical appliances such as glasses and contact lenses. Take accurate measurements of patients' eyes and facial features. Work as part of the wider practice team supporting colleagues with administration duties including greeting patients, answering telephone calls, booking appointments, and taking payments to name a few examples. Creating great rapport with customers and understanding their needs throughout their journey; making recommendations suited to the customer's vision and lifestyle needs. Using the Optometrist's recommendations to build perfect product solutions for the customer, including accessories, contact lenses and additional pairs. Completing regular tasks in the practice as ordering, verification, contact lens teaches, glasses collections, glasses adjustments and relevant administration. Operating optical equipment when pre-screening patients. Delivering operational processes and tasks relating to the role such as date checking, banking etc. Follow all legal and professional requirements and clinical SOP's to the required standards. To effectively contribute towards achieving the regional key performance indicators as directed by the area manager known as practice buddy, through the delivery of exceptional customer services and best practice professional standards. To accurately maintain patient records and audits in accordance with data protection, GOC, and company regulations. Contribute to key forums, including sharing learnings, experiences and highlighting and risks. Support the Dispensing Optician and Contact Lens Optician in their duties as required.

Training:
Level 3 Optical Assistant Apprenticeship. Functional Skills Level 2 Maths and English can be obtained on the course if you don't already hold these qualifications.

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:
Kings Hill Opticians & Hearing Care is a trusted opticians in Kings Hill, near West Malling and Maidstone, Kent. We specialise in expert eye care, using cutting-edge diagnostic technology to provide the highest clinical standards and outstanding customer service.

Working Hours :
Working week to be confirmed at interview.

Skills:
Communication skills,Attention to detail,Customer care skills,Team working,Initiative