Optical Assistant Apprenticeship - Chester Specsavers

This 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))
• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Ability to travel to the store location on a daily basis

Responsibilities

• Booking customers' eye tests
• Pre-screening patients
• Recommending suitable frames
• Providing top-notch advice to customers
• Greeting customers warmly
• Measuring frames
• Ensuring the smooth running of the store
• Identifying and addressing any operational issues
• Delivering customer service aligned with company values
• Identifying when and who to refer to for supervision (e.g., ocular emergencies, dispensing, restricted categories)
• Working within company policies, procedures, and regulated activity (GDPR, NHS, GOC, Health and Safety, safeguarding)
• Following employer guidelines for presentation and teamwork
• Identifying and meeting customer needs in the optical environment
• Communicating with customers and the optical team
• Referring customers needing communication support to appropriate services
• Following health and safety legislation in the optical environment
• Following safe use instructions for optical equipment
• Following procedures for first aid, accident reporting, and evacuations
• Providing information on the benefits and limitations of services (e.g., sight tests, contact lenses, minor eye condition services)
• Offering non-prescribed products (e.g., contact lens solutions, magnifiers, accessories)
• Selecting appointments, recall information, and exemptions on the employer’s system
• Maintaining accurate customer records
• Reporting and recording ocular emergencies
• Preparing clinical records
• Completing customer pre-appointment procedures
• Validating product accuracy using product tolerances
• Using lens measuring equipment to identify prescriptions and measurements
• Identifying and remarking lens types (e.g., progressive lenses, safety spectacles)
• Interpreting spectacle prescriptions to identify vision correction options
• Offering suitable lens products based on customer needs and preferences
• Offering specialised products based on customer needs and preferences
• Offering suitable frames based on customer needs and preferences
• Identifying frame fitting suitability (facial, frame, and lens measurements)
• Processing spectacle orders and payments
• Arranging spectacle collections
• Offering relevant promotions
• Identifying and checking visual acuity for near vision spectacles
• Explaining adaptation for near vision spectacles
• Fitting spectacle frames using questioning, measurements, and tools
• Adjusting frames correctly using tools
• Providing advice on frame fitting, lens care, and after-sales service
• Identifying guarantees and warranties of optical products
• Adhering to legal requirements for consumers
• Managing customer concerns and complaints
• Using problem-solving techniques to identify causes of concerns or complaints
• Communicating with customers to resolve concerns or complaints within authority limits
• Following remake and repair procedures
• Recognising and resolving customer complaints (e.g., poor fitting, incorrect measurements)
• Participating in training and development activities
• Participating in appraisals and seeking feedback
• Using self-reflection for development planning
• Identifying career opportunities for progression
• Adapting approach for customers with ocular conditions (e.g., glaucoma, cataracts)
• Conducting screening using screening equipment and recording results
• Informing patients about screening equipment, processes, and procedures
• Seeking support from colleagues during screening when required
• Informing patients about medical conditions screening can detect
• Demonstrating contact lens handling, insertion, and removal
• Showing patients how to care for their lenses
• Providing advice on cleaning lenses and solution types
• Following out-of-hours emergency procedures
• Recognising a customer’s ability to make an informed decision
• Explaining the sight test procedure to customers
• Working independently to plan and manage workload
• Assessing and mitigating risk in patients' homes for home eye tests
• Managing personal wellbeing and resources
• Maintaining team communications when working remotely