Optical Assistant Apprentice

Summary

This vacancy is for an Apprentice Optical Assistant based in Portishead. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to undertake valuable work experience within Boots Opticians supporting day to day tasks whilst gaining on the job qualifications.

Wage

£14,133.60 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Optical assistant 2022 (level 3)

Hours

Tuesday - Saturday, 9.00am - 5.30pm

35 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 7 July 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

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

What you'll do at work

Demonstrate and explain products features, advantages and benefits, using non-technical language
Clearly explain the product pricing structure; handling questions and working with the customer to find a suitable product for their budget and gain
commitment to purchase
Deliver operational processes and tasks relating to the role and the general operating of the store, such as date checking, banking etc, in order to give right first time customer care and maximise profitability
Follow all legal and professional requirements and clinical SOP's to the required standards
Build rapport with customers and understand their needs throughout their journey; making recommendations suited to the customers vison and lifestyle need
Use the Optometrist's recommendations to build perfect product solutions for the customer, including accessories, contact lenses and additional pairs
Deliver the technical tasks in the practice by ensuring the safe supply of eyewear, such as ordering, verification, contact lens teaches, glasses
collections, glasses adjustments and relevant administration
Remain calm and professional when dealing with difficult customer situations; listen and conduct the triage process to find a positive and acceptable solution for the customer. Support other colleagues in store to resolve customer complaints when required
Act as a buddy and mentor to colleagues within the team and stores, in particular support Optical Consultants - Foundation to develop their knowledge and skills
Act as a keyholder for your store if required
Build rapport with customers and understand their needs throughout their journey; making recommendations suited to the customers vison and lifestyle needs with the support of Eyewear Specialists and the wider team
Support experience colleagues to use the Optometrist?s recommendations to build perfect product solutions for the customer, including accessories, contact lenses and additional pairs
Deliver under guidance the technical tasks in the store by ensuring the safe supply of eyewear, such as ordering, glasses collections, glasses adjustments and relevant administration
Remain calm and professional when dealing with difficult customer situations; listen and conduct the triage process to find a positive and acceptable solution for the customer with the support of Optical Consultants Experienced and Dispensing
Follow all legal and professional requirements and clinical SOPs to the required standards for which you have been signed off as competent by a clinician
Actively undertake the BOOST training programme

Where you'll work

41 HIGH STREET
PORTISHEAD
BRISTOL
BS20 6AA

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

TRAINING 2000 LIMITED

Your training course

Optical assistant 2022 (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Deliver customer service which aligns with company values, beliefs and purposes
Identify when and who to refer to when supervision is required such as ocular emergencies, screening, dispensing and collections of restricted categories
Work within the limits of policies, procedures, and regulated activity such as GDPR, NHS, GOC, Health and Safety at Work and safeguarding
Follow employer’s guidelines and expectations for presentation and team working
Identify and meet customer needs within the optical environment
Communicate with customers and the optical team to maximise understanding
Refer customers needing communication support such as language, hearing, visual or learning difficulties to appropriate services
Follow health and safety legislation in the optical environment including customer safety, hygiene, and infection control
Follow safe use instructions when using optical equipment such as adjustment tools, screening equipment and measuring equipment
Follow procedures and processes for first aid, accident and incident reporting or evacuations
Provide the benefits and limitations of the different services (e.g. sight tests, contact lenses) and extended services (e.g. minor eye condition services, low vision services) to the customers within the optical environment
Offer non-prescribed products such as contact lens solutions, common ophthalmic drops, ready readers, magnifiers, and other accessories to customers
Select appointments, recall information, appointment types and exemptions on the employer’s system, and maintain accurate records, e.g. customer details
Report and record ocular emergencies following correct employer procedures
Accurately prepare clinical records for use following employer procedures
Accurately complete customer pre-appointment procedures
Use product tolerances to validate product accuracy
Use lens measuring equipment to identify prescriptions and lens measurements
Identify lens types using engravings such as progressive lenses and safety spectacles and remark lenses where required
Interpret the spectacle prescription to identify a range of vision correction options suitable for the customer
Offer suitable lens products to the customer based on customer needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
Offer specialised products to the customer based on their needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
Offer suitable frames to the customer based on their needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
Identify frame fitting suitability including facial, frame and spectacle lens measurements required to process spectacle orders for the customer
Process spectacle orders, payments and arrange collections, offering relevant promotions to the customer where appropriate
Identify and check visual acuity for near vision spectacle, explaining adaption as required
Fit spectacle frames through the use of questioning, measurements, and tools
Use tools correctly to adjust frame without causing damage
Provide advice and guidance on frame fitting, lens care and after sales service
Identify guarantees and warranties of optical products and adhere to the Sales of Good Act
Manage customer concerns and or complaints in line with employer procedures
Use problem solving techniques to identify concern and or complaint causes
Communicate with customers to resolve concerns or complaints within the limits of their own authority
Follow remake procedures
Follow repair procedures
Recognise and resolve customer complaints e.g. poor fitting, incorrect measurements, or offer alternative options in line with business requirements
Participate in training and development activities to maintain own practice
Participate in appraisal, obtain feedback, and use self-reflection to plan further development opportunities and identify available career opportunities to support progression
Adapt approach for customers with ocular conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes
Conduct screening using screening equipment and record accurate results
Inform the patient about the equipment, processes and procedures used for screening
Gain support or guidance from colleagues during screening when required
Inform the patient that the tests check for medical conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes
Demonstrate contact lens handling and insertion and removal to a patient
Show the patient how to care for their lens
Provide advice and guidance on cleaning of lenses and solution types
Follow out of hours emergency procedures
Recognise a customer’s ability to make an informed decision
Tell the customer what the sight test includes and how it is carried out
Work independently to plan and manage workload
Assess and mitigate risk in patient’s home to ensure an appropriate eye test can be delivered
Mange own wellbeing and resources
Maintain team communications when working remotely
Deliver customer service which aligns with company values, beliefs and purposes
Identify when and who to refer to when supervision is required such as ocular emergencies, screening, dispensing and collections of restricted categories
Work within the limits of policies, procedures, and regulated activity such as GDPR, NHS, GOC, Health and Safety at Work and safeguarding
Follow employer’s guidelines and expectations for presentation and team working
Identify and meet customer needs within the optical environment
Communicate with customers and the optical team to maximise understanding
Refer customers needing communication support such as language, hearing, visual or learning difficulties to appropriate services
Follow health and safety legislation in the optical environment including customer safety, hygiene, and infection control
Follow safe use instructions when using optical equipment such as adjustment tools, screening equipment and measuring equipment
Follow procedures and processes for first aid, accident and incident reporting or evacuations
Provide the benefits and limitations of the different services (e.g. sight tests, contact lenses) and extended services (e.g. minor eye condition services, low vision services) to the customers within the optical environment
Offer non-prescribed products such as contact lens solutions, common ophthalmic drops, ready readers, magnifiers, and other accessories to customers
Select appointments, recall information, appointment types and exemptions on the employer’s system, and maintain accurate records, e.g. customer details
Report and record ocular emergencies following correct employer procedures
Accurately prepare clinical records for use following employer procedures
Accurately complete customer pre-appointment procedures
Use product tolerances to validate product accuracy
Use lens measuring equipment to identify prescriptions and lens measurements
Identify lens types using engravings such as progressive lenses and safety spectacles and remark lenses where required
Interpret the spectacle prescription to identify a range of vision correction options suitable for the customer
Offer suitable lens products to the customer based on customer needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
Offer specialised products to the customer based on their needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
Offer suitable frames to the customer based on their needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
Identify frame fitting suitability including facial, frame and spectacle lens measurements required to process spectacle orders for the customer
Process spectacle orders, payments and arrange collections, offering relevant promotions to the customer where appropriate
Identify and check visual acuity for near vision spectacle, explaining adaption as required
Fit spectacle frames through the use of questioning, measurements, and tools
Use tools correctly to adjust frame without causing damage
Provide advice and guidance on frame fitting, lens care and after sales service
Identify guarantees and warranties of optical products and adhere to the Sales of Good Act
Manage customer concerns and or complaints in line with employer procedures
Use problem solving techniques to identify concern and or complaint causes
Communicate with customers to resolve concerns or complaints within the limits of their own authority
Follow remake procedures
Follow repair procedures
Recognise and resolve customer complaints e.g. poor fitting, incorrect measurements, or offer alternative options in line with business requirements
Participate in training and development activities to maintain own practice
Participate in appraisal, obtain feedback, and use self-reflection to plan further development opportunities and identify available career opportunities to support progression
Adapt approach for customers with ocular conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes

Your training plan

Optical Assistant 2022 Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4 (C) or above)
Maths (grade 4 (C) or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Administrative skills
Team working
Patience

Other requirements

Please do not contact the company directly. 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 as soon as possible if you wish to be considered for this role.

About this company

Boots Opticians is one of the leading opticians in the UK with 550* practices of which around 165* operate on a franchise basis.

After this apprenticeship

The successful candidate will work towards achieving a Level 3 qualification in optical and gain experience in a busy optical practice

Upon completion of the Level 3 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 you could complete a management course
Practice ownership you could go into business yourself, partnership or franchise

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TRAINING 2000 LIMITED

Lauren Reddaway

lauren.reddaway@t2000.co.uk

0125454659

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000318932.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 27 June 2025

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

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