This is a fantastic opportunity to embark on a challenging and rewarding optical career.

You would start as an optical assistant, full training will be given, and then move onto the apprenticeship in September. The apprenticeship is a full-time role and the course is for three years. It includes one day a week working on assignments and two weeks a year on site at the ABDO college in Kent.

See the ABDO link for more information:

Dispensing Optician Apprenticeship – ABDO College

The role is very diverse and is a unique blend of healthcare and retail.

Duties include:

• Booking the appropriate appointments for patients.
• Greeting patients in a professional and friendly manner.
• Understanding and interpreting the prescription that is issued by the Optometrist.
• Helping patients to choose frames that suit them and their prescription.
• Being able to dispense glasses whilst using patient friendly language.
• Adjusting frames using the correct tools to ensure that they fit correctly and are comfortable.
• Basic spectacle repairs.
• Possess a good knowledge of the lenses that we dispense.
• Ordering glasses and contact lenses for patients.
• Accurate and detailed completion of records on our patient management system as well the NHS paperwork.
• Using a focimeter to check the prescription in glasses.
• Problem solving simple optical concerns.
• Operating within Data Protection guidelines

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs grades A*-C (9-4) including Maths, English & Science.
• Experience or strong interest in customer service and maintaining customer satisfaction
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to learn and develop within the role
• Attention to detail and a commitment to precision and accuracy

Please call us for more information on 01934 743723 or email coral.hooper@nhs.net