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
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…
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…
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…
Day in the life … eye clinic liaison officer Ben
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…
Careers Award for ABDO
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…
Is an apprenticeship right for me?
Are you considering an apprenticeship? In this post the team from Woodspeen Training outline everything you need to know. What is an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship is a training course within a vocational setting. What this means is that you get to ‘earn while you learn’. An apprenticeship placement means you are doing the job whilst you are formally learning all about what that job entails, hopefully leading to a qualification at the end of the course. “The online learning is…
Day in the life … low vision optician Josh
Josh Smith works as a low vision optician. Read on to find out about his day. What do you start with every day? I start every day by reviewing my patient list for the morning and afternoon clinics. This allows me to get an idea of what to expect from each appointment. I also catch up with the ECLO to see if there are any new admissions within the hospital that require any support during their stay. What do you…
Taking on an apprentice
An apprentice can be a valuable asset for your business as you take on a young person and help them develop useful work-based skills. Find out if an apprentice could be right for your business here, and learn more about apprenticeships in eyecare here.
From optical assistant to optometry student
Vanessa Vieira is an optometry student and part time optical assistant. Read on to hear about her job and her ambitions to become an optometrist. I did a year of A levels before switching to a BTEC Level 3 extended diploma in Applied Sciences (medical), and I’m now an optometry student. At weekends I work as an optical assistant at Specsavers. What do you like most about your job? I enjoy the training sessions every Saturday. This enables me to…