Optical Assistant Apprentice
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Company: VISION EXPRESS LIMITED
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Location: Nottinghamshire, NG9 2LF
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Type: Apprenticeship
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Salary: Apprenticeship Minimum Wage
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Sector: Health and science
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Ref: NAS-2000019300
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Application Deadline Date: 24/04/2026
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Start Date: 04/05/2026
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Positions Available: 1
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Working Week: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm. The candidate will work 9:30am to 5pm, 5 out of 7 days and this will be agreed between the candidate and the Store Manager upon interview. The candidate will be required to work one weekend shift.
Brief Description
To deliver an exceptional customer journey within our Vision Express stores and play an active role in the achievement of store targets and KPIs by providing all optical retail services. Responsible for working in accordance with the three core Vision Express behaviours: Passion for service, welcoming and seamless teamwork.
Training to be Provided
Optical Assistant 2022 Level 3.
Future Prospects
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
Vacancy Detail
- Demonstrate and promote adherence to company policy, procedure, professional standards and legal obligations, including Data Protection, Health & Safety and all GOC regulatory legislation requirements
- To ensure all in-store administration is completed accurately and all manual and computerised customer records are maintained in accordance with company guidelines and relevant data protection laws
- To have a good working knowledge of the Vision Express Ways of Working
- To take personal responsibility for own development ensuring regulatory e-learning is completed efficiently and be proactive in maintaining and developing knowledge through participation in company development programmes
- Maintain the highest store standards possible, including the appearance of both store and own personal presentation. Sales and Service
- To act as a Vision Express brand ambassador creating a welcoming environment for all customers and ensuring their expectations are exceeded throughout the customer journey
- To relentlessly deliver the best customer service through the Vision Express Ways of Working and behaviours, every day to every customer
- To support the management team in achieving the required targeted growth in sales and profit
- To deliver a seamless customer journey through the meeting/greeting, offering of refreshments, initial eye examinations, dispensing, fitting and collections of every Vision Express customer
- To provide accurate and knowledgeable advice and guidance to meet each customer's specific needs through the recommendations made, selection and purchase of all types of eyewear and eye-care solutions
- To conduct eyewear repairs and order replacements when required
- To participate in all stock take activity as determined by the management team
- Key holder duties after successful completion of silver training (if and when required)
- Make decisions within the agreed scope of your role on matters relating to the day-to-day retail operation within your store, escalate to line manager where required. Teamwork and communication
- To maintain good and professional working relationships with the store team
- Attend and participate in morning briefs and team meetings
- To provide honest feedback to the management team to support ongoing improvements
- Any other duties or responsibilities as reasonably requested by line management
Where applicable, to use in-store laboratory equipment in the production and manufacture of high-quality eyewear ensuring the quality of eyewear produced is compliant with company standards and produced within the agreed timeframe.
- All laboratory equipment is maintained/calibrated in accordance with company guidelines
- Effective lens usage in accordance with company guidance/policy and thus contribution to store cost control
- The laboratory lens and consumable stock levels are stored correctly and in accordance with company policy
- Duties may vary in accordance with customer demand and store structure
Other Information
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.