Optical Assistant Apprenticeship - Runcorn Specsavers

Our apprenticeship gives people a chance to start an exciting career, while earning a full-time wage. Duties include booking customers in for eye tests, pre-screening, and recommending suitable frames. We are looking for individuals who are enthusiastic about providing great customer service and would like to pursue a career in optics.

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

Requirements

• GCSE in: Maths (grade 9-4 (A*-C))
• Enthusiasm for providing great customer service
• Desire to pursue a career in optics
• Ability to travel to the store location on a daily basis

Responsibilities

• Greeting customers warmly
• Providing top-notch advice
• Booking customers in for eye tests
• Pre-screening patients
• Measuring frames
• Identifying and resolving potential issues to ensure smooth store operations
• Delivering customer service aligned with company values
• Identifying when and who to refer to for supervision (e.g., ocular emergencies, dispensing, collections of restricted categories)
• Working within company policies, procedures, and regulations (e.g., GDPR, NHS, GOC, Health and Safety, safeguarding)
• Following employer guidelines for presentation and teamwork
• Identifying and meeting customer needs in an 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 (customer safety, hygiene, infection control)
• Safely using optical equipment (adjustment tools, screening equipment, measuring equipment)
• Following procedures for first aid, accident/incident reporting, and evacuations
• Explaining the benefits and limitations of various optical services and extended services
• Offering non-prescribed products (e.g., contact lens solutions, ready readers, magnifiers)
• Selecting appointments, recall information, appointment types, 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 lens types and remarking lenses where required
• Interpreting spectacle prescriptions to identify suitable vision correction options
• Offering suitable lens and frame products based on customer needs and preferences
• Identifying frame fitting suitability, including facial, frame, and spectacle lens measurements
• Processing spectacle orders and payments, arranging collections, and offering promotions
• Checking visual acuity for near vision spectacles and explaining adaptation
• 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 and adhering to legal requirements
• Managing customer concerns and complaints in line with employer procedures
• Using problem-solving techniques to identify causes of concerns or complaints
• Resolving customer concerns or complaints within personal authority
• Following remake and repair procedures
• Recognizing and resolving customer complaints (e.g., poor fitting, incorrect measurements)
• Participating in training and development activities
• Participating in appraisals, obtaining feedback, and using self-reflection for development planning
• Adapting approach for customers with ocular conditions
• 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 about medical conditions that tests can check for
• Demonstrating contact lens handling, insertion, and removal
• 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 a patient’s home
• Managing personal wellbeing and resources
• Maintaining team communications when working remotely