Optical Assistant Apprenticeship

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. Making adjustments to 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 focimetre 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 KPIs and how they affect the practices profitability

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:
Specialist optician in the heart of Lytham, our focus is on the each and every eye examination. Eye tests and examinations and contact lenses are our thing! From sourcing the most unique eyewear and contact lens products on the market to equipping the practice with state of the art diagnostic equipment we aim to stay at the forefront of the eyecare world. From Designer eyewear to NHS funded contact lenses we truly tailor our care for the individuals needs.

Working Hours :
Monday- 9am to 5pm Wednesday- 9am to 5pm Thrusday- 9am to 7pm Friday- 9am to 5pm Saturday- 9am to 4pm

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