Optical Assistant Apprenticeship - Allerton Road Specsavers

This opportunity gives people of all ages a chance to start an exciting career, while earning a full-time wage.

Requirements

• GCSE in Maths (grade 9-4 (A*-C))
• Enthusiastic about providing great customer service
• Willingness to pursue a career in optics

Responsibilities

• Booking customers in for eye tests
• Pre-screening patients
• Recommending suitable frames
• Providing customers with top-notch advice and a warm welcome
• Ensuring the smooth running of the store by identifying and addressing issues
• Delivering customer service aligned with company values
• Identifying when and who to refer to when supervision is required (e.g., ocular emergencies, dispensing, restricted collections)
• Working within company policies, procedures, and regulated activities (GDPR, NHS, GOC, Health and Safety, safeguarding)
• Following employer guidelines for presentation and teamwork
• Identifying and meeting customer needs within the optical environment
• Communicating effectively with customers and the optical team
• Referring customers needing communication support to appropriate services
• Following health and safety legislation in the optical environment (customer safety, hygiene, infection control)
• Using optical equipment safely (adjustment tools, screening equipment, measuring equipment)
• Following procedures for first aid, accident/incident reporting, and evacuations
• Explaining the benefits and limitations of different services (sight tests, contact lenses, extended services)
• Offering non-prescribed optical products (contact lens solutions, drops, magnifiers, accessories)
• Selecting appointments, recall information, and types on the employer’s system, maintaining accurate records
• Reporting and recording ocular emergencies per employer procedures
• Preparing clinical records accurately
• Completing customer pre-appointment procedures accurately
• Validating product accuracy using product tolerances
• Using lens measuring equipment to identify prescriptions and measurements
• Identifying lens types (e.g., progressive, safety spectacles) and remarking lenses where needed
• Interpreting spectacle prescriptions to identify vision correction options
• Offering suitable lens products based on customer needs and preferences, highlighting features and benefits
• Offering specialized products based on customer needs and preferences, highlighting features and benefits
• Offering suitable frames based on customer needs and preferences, highlighting features and benefits
• Identifying frame fitting suitability (facial, frame, lens measurements) for spectacle orders
• Processing spectacle orders, payments, and collections, offering relevant promotions
• Checking visual acuity for near vision spectacles, explaining adaptation
• Fitting spectacle frames using questioning, measurements, and tools
• Adjusting frames correctly using tools without causing damage
• Providing advice on frame fitting, lens care, and after-sales service
• Identifying optical product guarantees and warranties and adhering to consumer legal requirements
• Managing customer concerns and/or complaints in line with employer procedures
• Using problem-solving techniques to identify the causes of concerns/complaints
• Communicating with customers to resolve concerns/complaints within authority limits
• Following remake and repair procedures
• Recognizing and resolving customer complaints (e.g., poor fitting, incorrect measurements) or offering alternatives
• Participating in training and development activities to maintain practice
• Participating in appraisals, obtaining feedback, and using self-reflection for development and career progression
• Adapting approach for customers with ocular conditions (glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes)
• Conducting screening using screening equipment and recording accurate results
• Informing patients about screening equipment, processes, and procedures
• Seeking support from colleagues during screening when required
• Informing patients that tests check for medical conditions
• Demonstrating contact lens handling, insertion, and removal to patients
• Showing patients how to care for their lenses
• Providing advice on lens cleaning and solution types
• Following out-of-hours emergency procedures
• Recognizing a customer’s ability to make an informed decision
• Informing customers about what a sight test includes and how it is carried out
• Working independently to plan and manage workload
• Assessing and mitigating risk in patients’ homes for appropriate eye test delivery
• Managing personal wellbeing and resources
• Maintaining team communications when working remotely