Apprentice optical assistant

LLOYD'S REGISTER INTERNATIONAL; Oxford; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

Vision Express UK Ltd in Oxford is recruiting an Apprentice Optical Assistant. You will assist customers in selecting eyewear, handle measurements, fittings, and basic repairs, while learning lenses, coatings, and NHS processes.

You’ll progress with support from managers and the apprenticeship team through a structured L3 Optical Assistant qualification. You’ll gain customer service skills, optical product knowledge, and practical experience in a busy optician practice, with opportunities for

Qualifications

• Experience in customer service and retail environments.
• Ability to interpret prescriptions and advise customers.
• Willingness to learn optical terminology.

Responsibilities

• Greet customers in a professional and friendly manner.
• Interpret prescriptions and explain effects on the eye.
• Help customers select frames for comfort and lifestyle.
• Explain frame features in plain language.
• Measure and adjust frames for proper fit.
• Perform basic frame repairs and NHS paperwork.
• Order prescription glasses and contact lenses as needed.
• Carry out pre-screening tests such as retinal imaging and pressure testing.
• Take payments and support customer service KPIs.

Skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Communication

Problem solving

Retail experience

Education

L3 Optical Assistant Qualification

Tools

Focimeter

NHS paperwork

Measuring tools

Spectacle measurement tools

Job description

Apprentice optical assistant

• Employer: Vision Express UK Ltd
• Location: Oxford
• Vacancy Ref: 00002189
• Hours Per Week: 38.75
• Wage Per Week: £331.00
• Sector: Optical

This isn't your typical retail apprenticeship. As part of our team, you'll have more responsibility and involvement, playing a vital role in ensuring our customers feel special. With guidance from your store manager and our apprenticeship team, you'll learn the ins and outs of bringing our brand to life, selecting the right products, and delivering personalized experiences.

As an Optical Apprentice, you'll assist customers in finding eyewear that suits their needs, handle frame adjustments, repairs, fittings, and even perform pre-screening eye examinations and administrative tasks.

This is a fantastic and unique opportunity to embark on a journey towards a great career.

Starting as an Optical Assistant 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 for working 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 transform that information into jargon-free, easy-to-understand, customer-friendly language.

It's all about teamwork in an optician's practice. There are many roles, but you support each other to ensure 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 thrive in this role, as it's perfect for those who love to make a real difference in 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.

• Adjusting 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 focimeter 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.

• Being able to problem solve with basic optical concerns

• Understanding business KPI's and how they affect the practices profitability

Training to be provided

• L3 Optical Assistant Qualification

About Vision Express UK Ltd

Vision Express opened their first opticians over thirty years ago in Gateshead. Today they have over 550 stores across the UK and Ireland. At Vision Express, you'll thrive in a dynamic environment where everyone works together toward shared goals, rooted in their culture and values. They provide ample opportunities for growth and development, supporting your career ambitions every step of the way.

Vision Express UK Ltd website