Optical Apprentice

Summary

Looking for a unique retail apprenticeship opportunity? Join us at Vision Express on an 18-month program where you'll earn a level 3 qualification in Optical Retail while receiving comprehensive training and support. This vacancy is for an Optical Apprentice based in Scunthorpe.

Annual wage: £14,393.60 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Optical assistant 2022 (level 3)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9.30am till 5.00pm, with a 30min lunch break. This is agreed between the candidate and the Store Manager upon interview. Learner will be require to work one weekend shift.
40 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 10 February
Duration: 1 year 6 months
Positions available: 1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Store - 230

Looking for a unique retail apprenticeship opportunity? Join us at Vision Express on an 18-month program where you'll earn a level 3 qualification in Optical Retail while receiving comprehensive training and support.

What to Expect:

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.

To qualify for our apprenticeship program, you should:

Be at least 16 years old
Not be engaged in full or part-time education
Have GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above
Possess confidence, passion, and enthusiasm
Demonstrate teamwork and excellent customer service skills

Where you’ll work

Vision Express

78 High Street

Scunthorpe

DN15 6SD

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

TRAINING 2000 LIMITED

Your training course

Optical assistant 2022 (level 3)

Equal to A level

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 Sales of Good Act
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 Sales of Good Act
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

Level 3 Optical Assistant Apprenticeship.
Functional Skills Level 2 in Functional skills Maths and Literacy, can be obtained on the course (if required).
Training schedule has yet to be agreed. Details will be made available at a later date.
Enhancement / challenge - how to develop ourselves.
Equality and diversity - treating others equally, respect / accept others from different backgrounds.
British values - democracy, rule of law, respect and tolerance, individual liberty.
Prevent - safeguarding individuals from being drawn into terrorism.
Digital skills - keeping up with technology and effective use.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade c/4)
Math (grade c/4)

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
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Team working

About this company

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 are also part of the EssilorLuxottica family. EssilorLuxottica is the global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of lenses, frames and sunglasses!

https://www.visionexpress.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Free eyewear annually, Discounts for friends and family, Employee Assistance Program for confidential support, Generous annual leave.

After this apprenticeship

The successful candidate will work towards achieving a level 3 qualification in Optical with 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 - Go into a Management course.
Practice ownership - 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 VAC1000288795.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 31 January

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Please do not contact Company direct. 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 ASAP if you wish to be considered for this role.

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