Optical Assistant

Contract Personnel Ltd; Wymondham; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

An independent Opticians is seeking a motivated individual to join their team in Wymondham. The role involves providing exceptional customer service and assisting patients with their optical needs. Responsibilities include greeting patients, handling enquiries, managing cash transactions, and supporting the dispensing of glasses. A background in retail or customer service is highly beneficial, alongside a desire to learn about optical dispensing. Some Saturday work may be required.

Qualifications

• Background in retail or customer service is preferred.
• Motivated to understand optical dispensing and customer needs.
• Ability to handle cash transactions and customer inquiries.

Responsibilities

• Meet and greet patients, assisting with appointments and inquiries.
• Manage cash till and respond to enquiries through email.
• Assist in dispensing glasses and provide customer service.

Skills

Customer service

Retail experience

Communication

Sales

Job description

An exciting opportunity to join an independent Opticians. The role is to work as part of the practice team in the delivery of first-class services, showing excellent understanding of customer needs as well as being motivated in achieving sales.

This role would suit someone from a retail / customer service background with an interest in developing and understanding of optical dispensing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer / Patient

• Meet and greet patients as they come into the practice and register them, as required
• Assist patients with enquiries and appointments
• Announce patient appointments and hand over / coordinate patients
• Allocate contact lenses and handle associated queries and Direct Debit arrangements, where appropriate
• Assist with minor adjustment and fitting requirements such as nose pads etc. where appropriate
• Provide patients with pricing information in relation to glasses and contact lenses
• Pre‑screen, take pressures and fields, take retinal photography and OCT, once training is received

Administration

• Answer the telephones and deal with enquiries and appointments
• Operate the cash till and handle cash, electronic and cheque transactions
• Cash up and bank branch takings
• Check emails daily and respond or refer to the Practice Manager appropriately
• Prepare and send off NHS returns
• Maintain all required records and databases
• Prepare and issue correspondence, as required
• Undertake filing activities
• Order stock, including contact lenses and lenses for spectacles
• Check standing orders for contact lenses
• Coordinate postal duties

Assisting in Dispensing

• Offer the customer general advice and guidance
• Implement minor repairs to frames
• Carry out OCT, retinal photography, tonometry and visual field tests supplementary to an eye examination and to alert the optometrist to any unusual / abnormal features identified through these processes
• Keep appropriate records and report to the Practice Manager as required

Selling & Customer Relationship Management

• Maximise sales whilst minimising costs to ensure the achievement of specified margins and targets
• Ascertain the wants and needs of each customer
• Recommend, select and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and wants
• Describe merchandise and explain its use, benefits, operation and care to customers
• Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions as well as policies regarding payment, exchanges and security
• Serve customers, bag and package purchases
• Observe and identify security risks and theft and to prevent and attend to these occurrences appropriately
• Ensure that the practice always provides excellent customer service, meeting and – where possible – exceeding customer expectations
• Manage enquiries, complaints, refunds etc, as required

There will be a requirement to work some Saturdays.