Optical Assistant

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust; Coventry; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is seeking an Optical Assistant for the Spec Shop. You will dispense spectacles under supervision, advise patients on wear and fit, and help maintain stock and daily operations in a patient‑facing role.

You will work closely with a Dispensing Optician, supporting administration and basic clinical duties as needed, while upholding NHS standards of care and customer service.

Qualifications

• Key Skills Level 2 in Literacy and Numeracy; NVQ/A-Levels or equivalent qualification.
• Optical assistant course completed.
• Experience in customer-facing role is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Spectacle Dispensing: Assist patients in selecting appropriate frames
• Spectacle Glazing & Verification: Use in-house equipment to glaze and verify spectacles
• Stock Management & Ordering: Manage stock levels and liaise with suppliers
• Customer Communication & Administration: Handle inquiries and schedule appointments
• Payment Processing & Financial Administration: Process patient payments and receipts
• Records & Documentation Management: Maintain dispensing paperwork and records
• Quality Assurance & Customer Service: Maintain high standards of service and safety

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Manual dexterity

Eyewear handling

Independent working

Education

Key Skills Level 2 in Literacy & Numeracy

NVQ / A-Levels or equivalent

Optical assistant course

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Excel

Job description

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Optical Assistant

The closing date is 28 October 2026

Join Our Optometry Team at the Spec Shop ?

Love people, precision, and great eyewear? We're looking for a motivated, customer-focused team player to join our Optometry team at the Spec Shop.

In this hands-on role, you\'ll work both independently and alongside a Dispensing Optician, helping deliver outstanding patient care and smooth clinical support.

What you\'ll be doing:

• Dispensing spectacles under the guidance of a Dispensing Optician
• Advising patients on spectacle wear, fit, and comfort
• Adjusting and maintaining frames for optimal performance
• Glazing and verifying spectacles using in-house equipment
• Keeping the Spec Shop looking sharp, organised, and customer-ready
• Monitoring and managing stock levels
• Supporting administration and assisting with basic clinical duties when required

What we\'re looking for:

• A strong customer-service mindset
• Attention to detail and manual dexterity
• Confidence working with eyewear and technical equipment
• Ability to work independently and as part of a close-knit team

Please be advised that sponsorship is not eligible for this post.

Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking a dedicated individual to join our Optometry team at the Spec Shop, working independently and alongside the Dispensing Optician to enhance customer service and support the administration of clinical services.

The role involves dispensing spectacles under the guidance of a Dispensing Optician, advising patients on proper spectacle wear, and making necessary adjustments to frames. You will be responsible for maintaining the physical appearance and usability of the Spec Shop, assisting in its administration, and monitoring stock levels to ensure demand is met. Additionally, you will utilise glazing equipment to glaze and verify customers\' spectacles and may cover basic clinical assistant duties as needed in clinics.

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation\'s core values.

Job responsibilities

• Spectacle Dispensing: Assist patients in selecting appropriate frames based on their prescription, facial measurements, and personal preferences while considering cosmetic and functional needs.
• Spectacle Glazing & Verification: Utilize provided glazing equipment to glaze spectacles accurately. Verify completed spectacles by ensuring they match the order, meet quality standards, and conform to British Standards.
• Stock Management & Ordering: Order spectacles, frames, and related optical products. Liaise with suppliers to manage stock levels effectively and ensure the timely availability of products.
• Customer Communication & Administration:
• Handle telephone inquiries, schedule appointments, and provide excellent customer service.
• Ensure all spectacle orders are processed and delivered within the promised timeframe.
• Notify patients when their spectacles or contact lenses are ready for collection and follow up on non-collections to minimize outstanding orders.

Payment Processing & Financial Administration: Process patient payments, issue receipts, and manage daily banking transactions for Spec Shop. Records & Documentation Management:

• Maintain accurate and organized records of spectacle orders and dispensing paperwork.
• File dispensing cards daily and ensure all paperwork is reconciled at the end of each day.
• Manage and organize vouchers and prescriptions related to the dispensing process.

Medical Notes & Clinical Support: Assist in managing patient medical records, ensuring proper placement and organization. Prepare clinical areas as needed. Quality Assurance & Customer Service: Maintain high standards of customer service and ensure all interactions align with the agreed quality standards of Spec Shop. Workplace Maintenance & Safety: Keep the dispensing area tidy, safe, and presentable at all times. Training & Development: Participate in ongoing training and development to stay updated with industry best practices and enhance professional skills.

For further details please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• oKey Skills Level 2 in Literacy and Numeracy oNVQ, A-Levels, or equivalent qualification
• oOptical assistant course

Experience

• oExperience in a customer-facing role oAbility to make decisions and resolve work-related issues
• oPrevious Optical experience

Knowledge

• oProficiency in Microsoft Office packages Word, Outlook, and Excel oUnderstanding of general office procedures
• oAwareness of current issues within the NHS

Skills

• oStrong organisational skills oExcellent verbal and written communication skills oAbility to handle difficult and sensitive patient inquiries with professionalism oConfidence in presenting information to others oAbility to persuade and negotiate effectively

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• oMust be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust\'s values. (As detailed in UHCW\'s Values in Action document below) oApplicants applying for job roles with managerial responsibility will be required to demonstrate evidence of promoting equal opportunities through work experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire