Optical assistant apprentice THOMAS BOND & PARTNERS

Location

West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire | United Kingdom

Job description

What you will do in your working day

A fantastic and unique opportunity to embark on a journey towards a great career.

Starting at Optical Assistant level as an 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 to work 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 you will 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 make sure 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 really thrive in this role, as it?s the perfect position for those who love to make a real difference to 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.

The training you will be getting

• Level 3 Optical Assistant apprenticeship qualification
• Functional Skills Level 2 in Functional skills Maths and Literacy, can be obtained on the course (if required).
• Enhancement / challenge - how to develop ourselves.
• Equality and diversity - treating others equally, respect / accept others from different backgrounds.
• British values - democracy, rule of law, respect and tolerance, individual liberty.
• Prevent - safeguarding individuals from being drawn into terrorism.
• Digital skills - keeping up with technology and effective use.

What to expect at the end of your apprenticeship

The successful candidate will work towards achieving a level 3 qualification in Optical with 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 - Go into a Management course.
• Practice ownership - Go into business yourself, partnership or Franchise.

Job tags

Salary

£9.2k - £18.15k per annum