Author Archives: Antonia Chitty

Careers in Eyecare   →  Articles by: Antonia Chitty
Categories Awards, bursaries and scholarships Posted on Author Antonia Chitty

Research scholarships for optometrists

The College of Optometrists’ Research Scholarships have returned for 2022, including a new one-off funding opportunity at postdoctoral level.Part-funded by donations from College members, the Postdoctoral Research Award provides an optometrist at postdoctoral level with the opportunity to be principal investigator on a research project in the area of swollen optic nerves and referral thresholds. Michael Bowen, Director of Research at The College of Optometrists, says: “The College’s Scholarships represent an important aspect of the College’s engagement with research, and…

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Categories Work Posted on Author Antonia Chitty

8 ways you can work flexibly

There are different ways of working flexibly and these an be adapted to you and your circumstances. If you are thinking of requesting flexible hours, read on and find which ways to work might suit you best. Job sharing - Two people do one job and split the hours.Working from home - It might be possible to do some or all of your work from home or anywhere else other than the normal place of work.Part time - Working less…

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Categories Apprenticeships, Day in the life Posted on Author Antonia Chitty

Day in the life… business apprentice Yassin

Yassin works at Spec-Care Services in the south west of England. He is a Business Administration’ BTEC Level 3 apprentice. Yassin's boss Rob says, "Yassin has a passion for business development and the optical world has helped develop his career. He is a shining light for apprenticeships and without doubt a star business person of the future." Describe your typical day My typical day involves helping run the office department. I attending to tasks from dealing with customers, answering email…

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Categories Day in the life, Dispensing optician Posted on Author Antonia Chitty

Day in the life … domiciliary optician Joshua

Would you like to help people, in a range of environments, in a job that ensures you are always on the move and constantly facing new challenges? Joshua Wainwright FBDO FdSc BA (Hons) works for Specsavers Domiciliary, delivering eyecare to those who can't get to the practice due to health or mobility issues. Alongside this he is a trainer and is studying to further develop his low vision skills and knowledge.  Describe your typical day. The night before I’m due…

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Categories Contact lens optician, Day in the life Posted on Author Antonia Chitty

Day in the life … contact lens optician Jodie

Jodie is a contact lens optician in the South West of England. Read on to find out more about her day. Describe your typical day as a contact lens optician. My typical day involves seeing a variety of contact lens fits, routine aftercares and emergency eye care appointments, meeting patients’ expectations and making sure they leave happy. What do you start with every day? First things first I start with a coffee! Then I start by looking at my clinic…

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Categories Dispensing optician, Students Posted on Author Antonia Chitty

Day in the life … student DO Deepali

Deepali is a student dispensing optician (DO) with Specsavers, and is in the final year of her ophthalmic dispensing course at ABDO College. She combines a full time job with online study and block release. Read on to find out more about her day. As a student DO, I spend my day dispensing a variety of patients, from elderly to children. Within that, I dispense a variety of prescription lenses such a single vision, varifocals, occupational lenses and bifocals. I also…

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Categories Careers in eyecare, Contact lens optician, Dispensing optician, Low vision optician, Optical assistant Posted on Author Antonia Chitty

Choose a career with a pathway

There are lots of careers and it can be hard to know where to start when making choices. One thing to look out for is a career with a pathway that will allow you to start work, gain experience and take qualifications so you can progress. Working in eyecare, there are a range of entry level jobs that allow you to earn and learn at the same time. You could start as an optical assistant or lab technician. There are…

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Categories Careers in eyecare, Day in the life Posted on Author Antonia Chitty

Day in the life … clinical technician Lyndon

Lyndon Bird SMc(Tech) is a clinical technician at TKS Optometrists. His role in the practice is to provide diagnostic tests requested by the optometrist for each patient. Read on to discover more about what Lyndon does each day. I start the day by unlocking the practice, switching on all the machines in the diagnostics suite. I print off the clinic lists and go through each patient one by one to plan what diagnostic procedures are required. I then maximise the…

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Categories Work Posted on Author Antonia Chitty

Do you need or want to work flexibly? Find out your rights

Flexible working is a way of working that suits an employee’s needs, for example having flexible start and finish times, or working from home. All employees have the legal right to request flexible working - not just parents and carers. This is known as ‘making a statutory application’. You must have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks to be eligible. What employers must do Employers must deal with requests in a ‘reasonable manner’. Examples of handling…

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