Summary
This vacancy is for an Apprentice Optical Assistant based in Wells, Somerset. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to undertake valuable work experience within Rogers Optical Limited T/A Boots Opticians supporting day-to-day tasks whilst gaining on-the-job qualifications.
Wage
£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Training course
Optical assistant 2022 (level 3)
Hours
Working hours to be confirmed between Monday - Friday - 09:00 - 17:30 and Saturday - 09:00 - 17:00.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
Start date
Monday 4 August 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
Do you have a vision to kick-start an exciting and rewarding career, with amazing progression opportunities? Or, are you looking for the ultimate career change?
Can you see yourself joining the biggest and most established retail optical franchise in the UK, as an Optical Assistant Apprentice?
You'll not only spend 18 months in a full-time paid job, but also learn your trade via a Level 3 Apprenticeship- enabling you to earn whilst you learn. You will also be surrounded by supportive, passionate and highly experienced colleagues who'll support you every step of the way.
Don't have any prior optical or work experience? Don't worry - our Optical Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship will provide you with both, as well as a full-time job, a wage and paid holidays!
Rogers Optical Ltd based in Wells, are part of a market-leading brand and trade under one of the most reliable and respected companies in the industry, Boots Opticians. The Boots brand has been around since the mid-1800s and has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to succeeding in the optical industry. The Practice are in search of an Optical Assistant Apprentice to join them on a full-time basis.
Your duties in this role will be varied and will typically include:
* Welcoming customers into the store and being their first point of contact
* Booking in eye tests for patients
* Pre-screening patients
* Providing style advice and support, in line with customer requirements
* Measuring frames
* Taking phone calls
* General office administration duties and responsibilities
Your daily work-based training will sit alongside structured online learning via Training 2000, and at the end of the 18 months as an Apprentice, you'll be a fully-fledged Level 3 Optical Technician!
A career within Optics and an Apprenticeship with Training 2000 is not only rewarding and exciting, but well-paid, with excellent progression opportunities if that is what you are looking for. After completing your Level 3 Optical Assistant Apprentice with Training 2000, you could progress to Degree level via the University of Central Lancashire (whom Training 2000 are part of) and become a qualified Dispensing Optician. Following on from this, you could even complete a Level 7 Masters Degree to qualify as an Optometrist, earning up to 50,000 per year!
Where you'll work
66 High Street
Wells
BA5 2AJ
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)
What you'll learn
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 legal requirements for consumers
* 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 legal requirements for consumers
* 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 Qualification
* Functional skills in English, maths (if not already achieved)
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
* Customer care skills
* Team working
* Initiative
Other requirements
Please do not contact the company directly. 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 as soon as possible if you wish to be considered for this role.