Optical Assistant Apprentice

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 its 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 customers 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 KPI's and how they affect the practice's profitability

Training:

Training schedule has yet to be agreed. Details will be made available at a later date.

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:
We opened our first Vision Express store over thirty years ago in Gateshead. Today we now have over 550 stores across the UK and Ireland. A lot of things have changed over the years, but our number one goal has stayed the same. We want to make life that bit easier and more enjoyable for our customers. From picking your new style to finding the right lenses, our friendly staff give simple, honest advice. We provide a personalised service throughout your eye care journey so you can leave feeling you and your eyes have been taken care of. After your appointment you'll be stepping out in confidence, looking good and feeling great.

Working Hours :
Monday-Friday 9am-5:30pm Learners will work 9:30am - 5pm 5 out of 7 and this is agreed between the candidate and the Store Manager upon interview. They will be require to work one weekend shift.

Skills:
IT skills,Organisation skills,Customer care skills,Team working