Optical Assistant Apprentice

An Optical Assistant requires many skills to be able to work within the Optical retail Industry. They are often the people that spend the most time interacting with customers. Therefore strong communication, listening skills and a passion for working with others to deliver excellent service and products that are both clinically and cosmetically correct, are skills, knowledge and behaviours that need to be demonstrated at all times.

They may be working within a small practice, a large multiple practice or within the domiciliary environment. Optical Assistants have to interpret and understand a clinically issued prescription, its effects on the eye, and the customer’s vision. They need to be able to identify the appropriate spectacles to meet the customer's needs and be able to explain the features and benefits of these, using non-technical customer friendly language.

Optical Assistants require a broad range of technical knowledge about spectacle frame materials and fitting requirements including facial measurements, to ensure the maximum comfort of the spectacle frame for the customer, avoiding physical damage to the skin through ill-fitting or wrong material choice. They also require technical knowledge of optical lenses and the associated measurements of these lenses to allow correct and safe customer vision. They use an extensive range of technical equipment and tools to take measurements and adjust and repair spectacles.

Health & Safety

Health & safety at work legislation relevant to the industry

The safe use of all industry equipment relevant to the role

Maintain safe working practices at all times

Identify risks or dangers to self, customers or colleagues

Materials of Frames and lenses

A wide range of frame and lens material, including features, benefits, visual and material limitations

The legal requirements of products, the potential allergic reactions they may cause to ensure the best vision, fit and comfort

Identify, explain, recommend suitable frame and lens materials based on the customers’ needs and requirements

Clearly explain choices and ensure that health and legal requirements are met

Tools and Equipment

A wide range of optical tools and equipment

The uses and limitations of hand tools, quality checking machinery e.g. focimeter, pupilometer, frame heater, double nylon jaw pliers, angling pliers, snipe nose pliers, cutter pliers, nose pad pliers, axis pliers, screwdriver set, non-contact tonometer, auto refractor, visual field screeners

Confidently and correctly use and explain appropriately to a customer the wide range of tools and equipment within the optical practice

Take measurements, adjust or repair spectacles e.g. facial measuring tools, frame measurement tools, frame adjustment tools and screening equipment

Quality and Governance

Employer’s and NHS quality standards for accurate and secure record keeping

Adherence to British, European standards and industry governance set out by the general optical council e.g. referral to clinical colleagues for support and advice when identifying an ocular emergency, taking measurements, completing a collection for customers within protected named groups (under 16’s partially sighted / blind and complex prescriptions)

Work to the appropriate company quality standards and systems

accurately keep records

Enable relevant timely referrals to clinical colleagues to protect the customer the business and self

Screening checks

The screening equipment used, its function and the appropriate language to explain its function within own area of responsibility, knowing when to refer to clinician

Eye and medical conditions screened for e.g. glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes

Clearly explain screening checks, the reasons they are done and how the machinery works

Empathise with customers undergoing screening and be able to communicate reassurance and confidence when needed

Customer interactions, Dispensing, fitting and adjustment of Spectacles

Customer types and barriers to communication they may face e.g. customers of varying ages, customers with specific communication or mental health needs

How to adapt questioning and communication to meet customer requirements

Parts of the eye and how this relates to the makeup of a spectacle prescription

How a prescription is written and interpreted e.g. myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, visual equity and the effects the prescription has on vision and spectacle lens thickness

Frame and lens measurements and fitting for prescriptions up to +/- 10 e.g. pupil distances, vertical heights, pantoscopic angles, frontal bow, length to bend, eye size and bridge width, understanding of how to check vision and fit for multiple vision types and the precautionary recommendations to issue to customers on final fitting

Build rapport and trust with the customer and identify their communication preferences, clearly explain and interpret verbal and written prescription specifications and the effects this has on the eye.

To explain to the customer the translation of written prescription to finished product

Use product knowledge and be able to explain how this affects vision and to be able to make recommendations for dispensing of glasses to suit needs and preferences

Identify suitable fitting frames based on facial and prescription requirements pupil distances, vertical heights, pantoscopic angles, frontal bow length to bend, eye size and bridge width

How to use tools and equipment in close proximity to the customer which may make the customer feel uncomfortable

Accurately check vision and take into account how the final fit of the frames can affect someone’s vision

Fit the final product to ensure ongoing comfort and correct vision.

Carry out repairs and adjustments on an ongoing basis

On Programme Assessment

It is recommended that on programme assessment takes place at regular intervals agreed between the Employer and Training Provider. On programme assessment should

be used to check the Apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours in line with the standard and fail, pass and distinction criteria outlined in appendices 2 - 4.

End Point Assessment overview

Direct Observation, Professional Discussion and Case Study

The direct observation, professional discussion and case study provides the opportunity to use a range of assessment methods across the standard and must include all

areas of the standard to include real life customer interactions, dispensing of spectacles, collection and adjustment procedures and understanding of legislation and

governance within the optical retail sector.

Direct Observation

The direct observation will be a naturally occurring real work situation this must include as a minimum one spectacle dispense and one spectacle collection.

In order to provide sufficient flexibility in the workplace and to allow for normal working patterns and interactions that may occur, we would expect this process to take

between 120 and 150 minutes to allow the apprentice sufficient opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge , skills and behaviours. This will be pre-planned, agreed and

scheduled at the Apprentice’s normal place of work and will be carried out by the Independent Assessor. The direct observation should enable the Apprentice to

demonstrate their skills, knowledge and behaviour from across the standard.

Apprentices without level 1 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment as well as sitting Level 2.