Optical Assistant Apprenticeship - Shirley 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

• Giving customers top-notch advice and a warm welcome
• Booking eye tests
• Pre-screening patients and measuring frames
• Ensuring the store runs smoothly
• Delivering customer service aligned with company values
• Identifying when and who to refer to for supervision (e.g., ocular emergencies, screening, dispensing, collections of restricted categories)
• Working within policy limits (GDPR, NHS, GOC, Health and Safety, safeguarding)
• Following employer guidelines for presentation and teamwork
• Identifying and meeting customer needs
• Communicating with customers and the optical team
• Referring customers needing communication support
• Following health and safety legislation (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
• Providing information on the benefits and limitations of services (sight tests, contact lenses, minor eye condition services, low vision services)
• Offering non-prescribed products (contact lens solutions, ophthalmic drops, ready readers, magnifiers, accessories)
• 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 for use
• Completing customer pre-appointment procedures
• Validating product accuracy using product tolerances
• Identifying prescriptions and lens measurements using lens measuring equipment
• Identifying lens types (progressive lenses, safety spectacles) and remarking lenses where required
• Interpreting spectacle prescriptions to identify suitable 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 spectacle lens measurements)
• Processing spectacle orders and payments
• Arranging spectacle collections
• Offering relevant promotions
• Identifying and checking visual acuity for near vision spectacle
• Fitting spectacle frames using questioning, measurements, and tools
• Adjusting frames correctly without causing damage
• Providing advice and guidance 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/or complaints
• Using problem-solving techniques to identify causes of concerns/complaints
• Communicating with customers to resolve concerns/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, obtaining feedback, and using self-reflection for development
• Identifying available career opportunities for 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
• Gaining support from colleagues during screening when required
• Informing patients about the medical conditions tests can check for
• Demonstrating contact lens handling, insertion, and removal
• Showing patients how to care for their lenses
• Providing advice and guidance on lens cleaning and solution types
• Following out-of-hours emergency procedures
• Recognising a customer's ability to make an informed decision
• Informing the customer what the sight test includes and how it is carried out
• Working independently to plan and manage workload
• Assessing and mitigating risk in patients' homes
• Managing own wellbeing and resources
• Maintaining team communications when working remotely

Benefits

• Earning a full-time wage
• Opportunity to start an exciting career
• Fully qualified Level 3 Optical Assistant upon completion
• Massive range of career options ahead after apprenticeship

Application Process

• Before applying, please bear in mind the salary and check that you are able to travel to the store location on a daily basis.

About Specsavers Optical Superstores Limited

• Training provider: SPECSAVERS OPTICAL SUPERSTORES LIMITED
• Training course: Optical assistant 2022 (level 3)
• Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training.
• You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
• Full-time 5 out of 7 days - including weekend working
• Daily on-the-job training in store - no college to attend
• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment (EPA)

Contact

• Training provider: Specsavers Optical Superstores Limited