Optical assistant – Careers in Eyecare

Awards, bursaries and scholarships, Careers in eyecare, For students, For teachers, Looking for work, Optical assistant, Optometrist, Work 16 September 202516 September 2025 Kaye McIntosh

Eyecare clinic ‘one of the best workplaces for women’

Eyecare clinic Newmedica Plymouth has been named one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women 2025. The award recognises the firm’s commitment to championing gender equality, supporting women’s career development and fostering an inclusive work environment. Shannon Page joined 18 months ago as an ophthalmic assistant before progressing to be a service engagement co-ordinator. She says: “I feel recognised, appreciated, supported and listened to on a daily basis, so I’m very pleased to hear about this award because it really…

Careers in eyecare, For students, For teachers, Looking for work, Optical assistant, Work 10 September 202510 September 2025 Kaye McIntosh

How to start your career in retail

Retail could be the perfect place to start your working life. Our top tips from the Careers in Eyecare experts can help you get the job you want. If you are passionate about people, love checking out the latest products or have a head for business, there’s a store that’ll be the perfect environment for you. But how do you make sure that you will nail that dream job? What are the key qualities that help you get ahead? The…

Apprenticeships, Careers in eyecare, Dispensing optician, Education, For students, For teachers, Looking for work, Optical assistant, Optometrist, Work 10 September 202510 September 2025 Kaye McIntosh

Why choose a career in eyecare?

There are lots of different routes You could start working as an optical assistant and study online to learn more about eyecare and eyewear. Or become a student or apprentice dispensing optician and earn while you learn via block release or day release. You can get a diploma or a degree while being paid. You could head to university for a degree in ophthalmic dispensing or optometry, followed by clinical experience under supervision to become a registered health professional. Other…

A levels, Apprenticeships, Careers in eyecare, Dispensing optician, Eye clinic liaison officer, For students, For teachers, Looking for work, Ophthalmologist, Optical assistant, Optical practice manager, Optical sales rep, Optometrist, Orthoptist, Students, Work, Work experience 30 July 202530 July 2025 Kaye McIntosh

Careers for all talents and interests

Whatever your interests, there’s a career in eyecare that’s just right for you. From optometry to optical sales, frame design to practice manager, take a look at these ideas. Patient care There are lots of careers where you can make a difference to people’s health, from saving their sight to looking after those facing life-changing conditions. Ophthalmologist Optometrist Dispensing optician Orthoptist Ophthalmic nurse People skills Do you enjoy communicating and spending time your day interacting with other people? These roles…

Apprenticeships, Careers in eyecare, Day in the life, For students, For teachers, Optical assistant, Students, Work 2 April 20252 April 2025 Kaye McIntosh anxiety disorder, apprenticeships, career, confidence, customer service, optical assistant, optical practice, Specsavers

Day in the life: the optical assistant overcoming anxiety

Can you succeed at work if you face extra challenges? James, 24, works at Specsavers in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, and has an anxiety disorder. He takes us through a typical day. What do you do every day? My main tasks include performing pre-screening tests for customers before their eye test, helping them choose and purchase frames and lenses for their glasses, and fitting their glasses when they come to pick them up. I also have mandatory learning time, training on the…

Careers in eyecare, Dispensing optician, For students, Looking for work, Ophthalmologist, Optical assistant, Optical sales rep, Optometrist, Orthoptist, Students, Work 26 March 202526 March 2025 Kaye McIntosh

Career choices in eyecare

There’s a great future waiting for you in eyecare, with lots of choice whatever your interests and skills. Whether you are planning to go into employment straight from school, head to university, or you are already working and looking for a new career, there are plenty of reasons to go into this field. Enjoy flexible training and careers Whether you want to train or work full or part-time, weekends or weekdays, there’s a job for you. More and more high…

Apprenticeships, Careers in eyecare, Optical assistant, Work 13 February 202513 February 2025 Kaye McIntosh

Apprenticeship opportunities at Specsavers

Specsavers, the high street eye and hearing care firm, has 62 places on their apprenticeship scheme across the country. Head of apprenticeships Dena Watt says: “At Specsavers we are passionate about helping people learn and grow and our diverse range of apprenticeships offer a great stepping stone into our business and a way to upskill on the job. “Around 90% of apprentices stay on in permanent positions after qualifying and most go on to gain further qualifications. So, if you…

Apprenticeships, Careers in eyecare, For students, Optical assistant, Work 10 February 202513 February 2025 Kaye McIntosh

National Apprenticeship Week – the optical assistant

Richard Hodgson visits people in their own homes to provide optical care. He shows apprenticeships aren't just for school leavers. Richard is the first domiciliary (home visits) optical assistant to complete his apprenticeship with Specsavers – with distinction, too. He tells us why he had his sights set on the home-visits team and how his qualification has helped him achieve the role he really wanted. Life before my apprenticeship I was working in a different world of glass – double-glazing,…

Careers in eyecare, Day in the life, Education, For students, For teachers, GCSEs, Looking for work, Optical assistant, Work 18 October 202419 November 2024 Kaye McIntosh

Day in the life – optical assistant Emily is on her way to a bright future

Emily Steele works for Edmonds & Slatter Opticians in Leicestershire and has just completed the optical assistant course with ABDO College Why did you choose an optical career? I’d started to need glasses a few years before and realised my idea of how glasses were supposed to look was totally out of date. I noticed how much of a fashion statement they are now. I’d previously worked in a pharmacy. I wanted to stay in healthcare but have something more…

Careers in eyecare, Day in the life, Dispensing optician, For Employers, For students, Looking for work, Optical assistant, Optical practice manager, Optometrist, Work, Work experience 10 September 202419 November 2024 Kaye McIntosh

A Day in the Life – the volunteer dispensing optician

Leanne Glanville is a dispensing optician (DO) who volunteers for charity Vision Care for Homeless People Q. What's your role? A. I’ve been a qualified dispensing optician (DO) since 2016. I currently work as a locum once a week and volunteer with Vision Care for Homeless People (VHCP) once a month. Locums are temporary workers, rather than permanent, often self-employed. During my 17 years in optics I have worked in most departments in high street practice. I started wearing glasses when…

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Category Archives: Optical assistant