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…
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…
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…
Want to know more about how to get started with a career in eyecare? An apprenticeship could be just what you need. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYBW5qDZ7k
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…
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…
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…
Ben Sykes is an RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) and his clinic is based in The Countess of Chester Hospital. Ben has Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), which is central vision loss that affects the optic nerve behind the eye. He is severely sight impaired. Describe your typical day As an ECLO, every day can be different and brings its own exciting challenges. It can range from seeing patients face to face, to…
For the second year running, the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) has won an award for its Careers in Eyecare campaign from Youth Employment UK. ABDO is the winner of the Creating Opportunity #YouthFriendlyEmployer Award. The award was presented on 7 December by the Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP, in an online ceremony, at the Youth Employment UK Youth Friendly Employer Awards. Laura-Jane RawlingsMims Davies MP Laura-Jane Rawlings CEO of Youth Employment commented, “ABDO has provided opportunities for…
Matthew is a student dispensing optician (DO) in the final year of his ophthalmic dispensing course at ABDO College. Read on to find out about life as a DO and how Matthew combines study with work. I would say there is no typical day as a dispensing optician. Of course, there is routine in terms of dispensing patients after their eye examination, checking spectacles ensuring they meet British standards, assessing why a patient is not getting on with their spectacles…