Apprentice Optical Assistant

Summary

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

Wage

£11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

Optical assistant 2022 (level 3)

Hours

Monday- 9am to 5pm Tuesday-9am to 5pm Wednesday 9am to 5pm Saturday 9am to 12:30pm

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 4 August 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

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our team as an Optical Assistant Apprentice. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is interested in pursuing a career in the optical industry and looking to gain valuable experience and skills.As our new apprentice, you will be working alongside our experienced team members to provide excellent customer service to our clients.

You will be responsible for tasks such as:

Booking appointments
Dispensing glasses
Maintaining accurate record
Providing advice to customers on the best products for their needs
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.

You will also have the opportunity to learn about the latest optical technology and trends, and gain experience in a fast-paced and dynamic industry. This is a fun and exciting role that offers the chance to work with a great team of people, and to develop skills that will be valuable throughout your career.

Where you'll work

90 Spring Bank
Hull
HU3 1AA

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 legal requirements for consumers
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 legal requirements for consumers
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

This training plan has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

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
Attention to detail
Customer care skills
Team working

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

Daniels and Wheatcroft Opticians has a long history of delivering superb eyecare in Hull. Our practices started out separately on Spring Bank: Daniels Turner Opticians was established in the early 1980s and Wheatcroft in the late 1940s.

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 VAC1000329795.

Apply now

Closes in 19 days (Sunday 27 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

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