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Optical Assistant Apprenticeship Bayfields Group Ltd

This vacancy is for an Optical Assistant Apprenticeship based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to undertake valuable work experience whilst gaining on the job qualifications.

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Closing date: 26 Aug 2022

Apprenticeship summary

  • Annual wage

    £15,000.00

  • Working week

    Mon - Fri - 09:00 - 17:30 Sat - 09:00 - 16:30 Sun - 10:30 - 16:30

    Total hours per week: 40

  • Expected duration

    12 Months

  • Possible start date

    05 Sep 2022

  • Date posted

    01 Jun 2022

  • Apprenticeship level

    Intermediate
    Level 2 (GCSE)

  • Reference number

    VAC1000050971

  • Positions

    1 available

What will the apprentice be doing?

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 Opticians 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.

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

  • Level 2 Optical Assistant Apprenticeship
  • Functional Skills Level 1 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 is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

The successful candidate will work towards achieving a level 2 qualification in Optical with experience in a busy Optical Practice.

Upon completion of the Level 2 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

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills and personal qualities

Communication skills, Attention to detail, Customer care skills, Active Listening, Proficient in Microsoft Office

Qualifications

GCSE or equivalent English (Grade 3/D or above) Essential
GCSE or equivalent Maths (Grade 3/D or above) Essential
Other Customer Service Experience (Grade N/A) Essential
Other Strong IT Skills (Grade N/A) Essential

Things to consider

Please do not contact Company direct. PLEASE NOTE; we reserve the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a suitable number of applications from which to make a shortlist. Please ensure you apply ASAP if you wish to be considered for this role.

About the employer

Our Mission: To improve people’s lives by providing obsessively great service to our eye care clients and providing support to the clinical team in practice. To be an ambassador for our vision and values in all interactions with eye care clients and prospective eye care clients.

Employer

Bayfields Group Ltd

Address

71 Parade

Leamington Spa

CV32 4BA

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Training

Training provider

TRAINING 2000 LIMITED

Contact

Lauren Reddaway

lauren.reddaway@t2000.co.uk

01254 54659

Apprenticeship standard

Optical assistant

Level 2 (GCSE)

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