Apprentice Optical Assistant

Summary

This vacancy is for an Apprentice Optical Assistant based in Stanley. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to undertake valuable work experience within Youngs Opticians supporting day to day tasks whilst gaining on the job qualifications.

Wage

£15,015 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Optical assistant 2022 (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm. Saturday, 9.00am - 12:30pm (can be flexible).

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 9 June 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

The successful applicant will gain experience in all aspects of being an optical assistant in an optometrist practice.
As a well respected independent opticians, we would be delighted to help the candidate grow in the industry and develop their skills to become a valued member of our team.

An optical assistant works under supervision in an optical practice to assist people with choosing frames and lenses. They will also carry out initial assessments before an eye examination such as autorefraction and checking eye pressures as well some supplementary checks, such as Ocular Coherence Tomography, visual field analysis and ultra wide fundus imaging. They will also help in the day to day running of the practice by making appointments and helping patients with queries.

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 its 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.
Making adjustments to 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 focimetre 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 KPIs and how they affect the practices profitability.

Where you’ll work

3 Clifford Road
Stanley County Durham
DH9 0AB

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

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

One day per week - online learning.

More training information

Level 3 Optical Assistant Apprenticeship.
Functional Skills Level 2 maths and English can be obtained on the course if you dont already hold these qualifications.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4/C or above)
Maths (grade 4/C or above)

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
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

About this company

Youngs Opticians has provided exceptional vision care to the people of Stanley for over 50 years. We provide excellent eye care to all ages, with comprehensive vision and eye health exams as well as supplying a wide range of designer eyewear. We are experienced, professional Optometrists and take pride in offering an excellent service to all of our customers whether they are looking for glasses, contact lenses or simply just an eye test.

https://www.youngsopticians.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

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.

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 you could complete a management course.
Practice ownership you could 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

01254 54659

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000317374.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 30 May 2025

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