Optical Assistant apprentice

Vision Express; Urmston; Presencial; GBP 15.000 - 18.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Vision Express invites applications for an Optical Assistant apprentice role. You will begin with structured training, learning optical support, customer service, and wearability standards while supporting day-to-day practice operations.

This role offers opportunities to progress as you gain practical experience in a busy UK optical setting. You will learn to interpret prescriptions, measure frames, explain lens options, and assist with NHS documentation.

Formación

• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above required.
• Level 3 optical qualification pursued with on-the-job training.
• Strong communication, teamwork and customer care.
• Willingness to learn about frames, lenses and NHS processes.

Responsabilidades

• Greet customers and provide friendly, professional service.
• Interpret prescriptions and advise on frame selection.
• Measure frames and ensure proper fit for lenses.
• Explain lens features and NHS paperwork completion.
• Take payments and maintain records.
• Assist with pre-screening tests where appropriate.

Conocimientos

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Customer care skills

Team working

Initiative

Educación

GCSE English 4/C or above

GCSE Maths 4/C or above

Level 3 Optical qualification

Herramientas

Focimeter

Descripción del empleo

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., 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.

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.,

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Team working
• Initiative, GCSE English (grade Grade 4/C or above) - essential
• GCSE Maths (grade Grade 4/C or above) - essential

We are Vision Express - with over 550 stores across the UK and Ireland, we have something for everyone. Whether you want to work in a busy city centre flagship, a smaller village store or in one of our coastal locations, we're sure we will have the perfect solution for you

Did you know, we are also part of the EssilorLuxottica family EssilorLuxottica is the global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of lenses, frames and sunglasses! We are home to the most loved and widely-recognised vision care and eyewear brands in the world. Their priority eyewear brands include Ray-Ban, Oakley, Costa, Vogue Eyewear, Persol and Oliver Peoples, complemented by over 20 prestigious licensed brands.

• Wage: £16,120 a year, Find the best degree, higher, and advanced apprenticeships across the UK. Fast-track your career, earn a competitive wage, and gain debt-free qualifications.