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Apprenticeship training course

Optical assistant 2022 (level 3)

There are 7 training providers who offer this course. Check if a training provider can deliver this training in the apprentice's work location.

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Information about Optical assistant 2022 (level 3)

Helping customers in the optical retail environment.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours
View knowledge, skills and behaviours

Knowledge

  • Employer or company values, beliefs and purpose
  • Patient referral processes and procedures and the implications of not following procedures
  • Policies, procedures, and regulated activities within the Optical working environment, such as GDPR, NHS, GOC health and safety and safeguarding
  • Importance of personal presentation, time management and teamwork
  • Different customer types and needs within the optical environment
  • Communication principles and techniques to use to communicate at work to reduce barriers of communication
  • Wider services that are available to support customers with specific needs such as non-English speaking, non-verbal, profoundly deaf, learning needs
  • Health and safety at work legislation relevant to working in the optical environment, including hygiene and infection control measures and customer safety
  • How to use and maintain optical equipment
  • First aid procedures, accident and incident reporting and evacuation processes
  • The services available to customers in the optical environment such as sight tests, contact lens and extended services including minor eye care services, low vision services and their benefits or limitations
  • The non-prescribed products available to the customer within the optical environment such as contact lens solutions, common ophthalmic drops, ready readers, magnifiers, and other accessories
  • Pre-appointment processes, record keeping (e.g. adhering to relevant legislation when recording and storing personal data) and the principles of gaining consent, including when and how information can be disclosed to a customer or service provider
  • Appointment types, lengths, booking systems and clinic management in the optical environment including NHS exemptions and private appointments
  • Business sight test and contact lens recall requirements
  • Ocular emergencies and when to seek advice, including escalation and reporting procedures
  • Clinic preparation processes such as preparing records, General Ophthalmic Services eligibility and entitlement, identifying customer needs, confirming appointment
  • Product tolerances such as British standards, ISO, UKCA
  • How to use lens measuring equipment
  • How to recognise engravings such as progressive lenses safety spectacles and remark of lens
  • The structure of the eye, spectacle prescriptions and vision correction options
  • Lens form, types, materials, coatings and their features and benefits
  • Specialised vision correction options such as safety spectacles, sports spectacles, contact lenses, magnifiers and their features and benefits
  • Frame materials, shapes, components and their features and benefits.
  • Frame fitting and suitability including facial, frame and lens measurements and the equipment used to measure these
  • Pricing, promotions and offers, ordering and payment systems and collection options and procedures
  • When to use visual acuity to check near vision and prescription adaption requirements
  • Frame adjustments and the impact of poor fitting on both comfort and vision
  • Adjustment tools and equipment used for spectacles
  • Advice and guidance on frame fitting /and or lens care and after sales services for customers
  • Guarantees, warranties available within an optical environment and the requirements of the Sales of Goods Act
  • Employer concern handling policies and procedures and when to escalate complaints such as to the NHS and/or the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS)
  • Employer and manufacturer's remake and repair procedures for spectacles
  • Implications of poor fitting on the customer
  • Implications and impact of incorrect measurements, prescriptions and product recommendations for the customer and business
  • Implications and impact of customer concerns and or complaints on the business brand and professional members of staff
  • The principles of continuing professional development and the local arrangements for appraisal in the workplace, such as self- reflection, feedback, career opportunities and target setting
  • Business operating models, targets, and key performance indicators in an optical environment
  • Understand a customer's ability to make decisions on the products they are purchasing (Mental Capacity Act and Best Interest decisions and power of attorney)
  • Understand ocular conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes
  • The equipment used and purpose of different screening tests available within the optical environment, such as auto Refractor, Non-Contact Tonometer, Optical Coherence Tomographer, Visual Fields Screening, Fundus Camera
  • How to set up and use screening equipment such as pressure tests, visual field tests
  • Conduct screening test with customer and pass results to optometrist/dispensing optician, and know who to refer to for support or guidance during screening checks
  • Medical conditions which are screened for, such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes
  • Employer or company values, beliefs and purpose
  • Patient referral processes and procedures and the implications of not following procedures
  • Policies, procedures, and regulated activities within the Optical working environment, such as GDPR, NHS, GOC health and safety and safeguarding
  • Importance of personal presentation, time management and teamwork
  • Different customer types and needs within the optical environment
  • Communication principles and techniques to use to communicate at work to reduce barriers of communication
  • Wider services that are available to support customers with specific needs such as non-English speaking, non-verbal, profoundly deaf, learning needs
  • Health and safety at work legislation relevant to working in the optical environment, including hygiene and infection control measures and customer safety
  • How to use and maintain optical equipment
  • First aid procedures, accident and incident reporting and evacuation processes
  • The services available to customers in the optical environment such as sight tests, contact lens and extended services including minor eye care services, low vision services and their benefits or limitations
  • The non-prescribed products available to the customer within the optical environment such as contact lens solutions, common ophthalmic drops, ready readers, magnifiers, and other accessories
  • Pre-appointment processes, record keeping (e.g. adhering to relevant legislation when recording and storing personal data) and the principles of gaining consent, including when and how information can be disclosed to a customer or service provider
  • Appointment types, lengths, booking systems and clinic management in the optical environment including NHS exemptions and private appointments
  • Business sight test and contact lens recall requirements
  • Ocular emergencies and when to seek advice, including escalation and reporting procedures
  • Clinic preparation processes such as preparing records, General Ophthalmic Services eligibility and entitlement, identifying customer needs, confirming appointment
  • Product tolerances such as British standards, ISO, UKCA
  • How to use lens measuring equipment
  • How to recognise engravings such as progressive lenses safety spectacles and remark of lens
  • The structure of the eye, spectacle prescriptions and vision correction options
  • Lens form, types, materials, coatings and their features and benefits
  • Specialised vision correction options such as safety spectacles, sports spectacles, contact lenses, magnifiers and their features and benefits
  • Frame materials, shapes, components and their features and benefits.
  • Frame fitting and suitability including facial, frame and lens measurements and the equipment used to measure these
  • Pricing, promotions and offers, ordering and payment systems and collection options and procedures
  • When to use visual acuity to check near vision and prescription adaption requirements
  • Frame adjustments and the impact of poor fitting on both comfort and vision
  • Adjustment tools and equipment used for spectacles
  • Advice and guidance on frame fitting /and or lens care and after sales services for customers
  • Guarantees, warranties available within an optical environment and the requirements of the Sales of Goods Act
  • Employer concern handling policies and procedures and when to escalate complaints such as to the NHS and/or the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS)
  • Employer and manufacturer's remake and repair procedures for spectacles
  • Implications of poor fitting on the customer
  • Implications and impact of incorrect measurements, prescriptions and product recommendations for the customer and business
  • Implications and impact of customer concerns and or complaints on the business brand and professional members of staff
  • The principles of continuing professional development and the local arrangements for appraisal in the workplace, such as self- reflection, feedback, career opportunities and target setting
  • Business operating models, targets, and key performance indicators in an optical environment
  • Understand a customer's ability to make decisions on the products they are purchasing (Mental Capacity Act and Best Interest decisions and power of attorney)
  • Understand ocular conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes
  • The equipment used and purpose of different screening tests available within the optical environment, such as auto Refractor, Non-Contact Tonometer, Optical Coherence Tomographer, Visual Fields Screening, Fundus Camera
  • Contact lens handling, insertion, and removal procedures
  • Advice and guidance given to customers such as cleaning regime and solution types including wearing schedules and lens care
  • What to do in an emergency (out of hours)
  • The importance of team communications when working remotely
  • Employer or company values, beliefs and purpose
  • Patient referral processes and procedures and the implications of not following procedures
  • Policies, procedures, and regulated activities within the Optical working environment, such as GDPR, NHS, GOC health and safety and safeguarding
  • Importance of personal presentation, time management and teamwork
  • Different customer types and needs within the optical environment
  • Communication principles and techniques to use to communicate at work to reduce barriers of communication
  • Wider services that are available to support customers with specific needs such as non-English speaking, non-verbal, profoundly deaf, learning needs
  • Health and safety at work legislation relevant to working in the optical environment, including hygiene and infection control measures and customer safety
  • How to use and maintain optical equipment
  • First aid procedures, accident and incident reporting and evacuation processes
  • The services available to customers in the optical environment such as sight tests, contact lens and extended services including minor eye care services, low vision services and their benefits or limitations
  • The non-prescribed products available to the customer within the optical environment such as contact lens solutions, common ophthalmic drops, ready readers, magnifiers, and other accessories
  • Pre-appointment processes, record keeping (e.g. adhering to relevant legislation when recording and storing personal data) and the principles of gaining consent, including when and how information can be disclosed to a customer or service provider
  • Appointment types, lengths, booking systems and clinic management in the optical environment including NHS exemptions and private appointments
  • Business sight test and contact lens recall requirements
  • Ocular emergencies and when to seek advice, including escalation and reporting procedures
  • Clinic preparation processes such as preparing records, General Ophthalmic Services eligibility and entitlement, identifying customer needs, confirming appointment
  • Product tolerances such as British standards, ISO, UKCA
  • How to use lens measuring equipment
  • How to recognise engravings such as progressive lenses safety spectacles and remark of lens
  • The structure of the eye, spectacle prescriptions and vision correction options
  • Lens form, types, materials, coatings and their features and benefits
  • Specialised vision correction options such as safety spectacles, sports spectacles, contact lenses, magnifiers and their features and benefits
  • Frame materials, shapes, components and their features and benefits.
  • Frame fitting and suitability including facial, frame and lens measurements and the equipment used to measure these
  • Pricing, promotions and offers, ordering and payment systems and collection options and procedures
  • When to use visual acuity to check near vision and prescription adaption requirements
  • Frame adjustments and the impact of poor fitting on both comfort and vision
  • Adjustment tools and equipment used for spectacles
  • Advice and guidance on frame fitting /and or lens care and after sales services for customers
  • Guarantees, warranties available within an optical environment and the requirements of the Sales of Goods Act
  • Employer concern handling policies and procedures and when to escalate complaints such as to the NHS and/or the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS)
  • Employer and manufacturer's remake and repair procedures for spectacles
  • Implications of poor fitting on the customer
  • Implications and impact of incorrect measurements, prescriptions and product recommendations for the customer and business
  • Implications and impact of customer concerns and or complaints on the business brand and professional members of staff
  • The principles of continuing professional development and the local arrangements for appraisal in the workplace, such as self- reflection, feedback, career opportunities and target setting
  • Business operating models, targets, and key performance indicators in an optical environment
  • Understand a customer's ability to make decisions on the products they are purchasing (Mental Capacity Act and Best Interest decisions and power of attorney)
  • Understand ocular conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes
  • The equipment used and purpose of different screening tests available within the optical environment, such as auto Refractor, Non-Contact Tonometer, Optical Coherence Tomographer, Visual Fields Screening, Fundus Camera
  • How to independently plan and manage own workload and assess and mitigate risk
  • How to manage own wellbeing and resources
  • Environments they will work in, including patient/ customer types

Skills

  • Deliver customer service which aligns with company values, beliefs and purposes
  • Identify when and who to refer to when supervision is required such as ocular emergencies, screening, dispensing and collections of restricted categories
  • Work within the limits of policies, procedures, and regulated activity such as GDPR, NHS, GOC, Health and Safety at Work and safeguarding
  • Follow employer’s guidelines and expectations for presentation and team working
  • Identify and meet customer needs within the optical environment
  • Communicate with customers and the optical team to maximise understanding
  • Refer customers needing communication support such as language, hearing, visual or learning difficulties to appropriate services
  • Follow health and safety legislation in the optical environment including customer safety, hygiene, and infection control
  • Follow safe use instructions when using optical equipment such as adjustment tools, screening equipment and measuring equipment
  • Follow procedures and processes for first aid, accident and incident reporting or evacuations
  • Provide the benefits and limitations of the different services (e.g. sight tests, contact lenses) and extended services (e.g. minor eye condition services, low vision services) to the customers within the optical environment
  • Offer non-prescribed products such as contact lens solutions, common ophthalmic drops, ready readers, magnifiers, and other accessories to customers
  • Select appointments, recall information, appointment types and exemptions on the employer’s system, and maintain accurate records, e.g. customer details
  • Report and record ocular emergencies following correct employer procedures
  • Accurately prepare clinical records for use following employer procedures
  • Accurately complete customer pre-appointment procedures
  • Use product tolerances to validate product accuracy
  • Use lens measuring equipment to identify prescriptions and lens measurements
  • Identify lens types using engravings such as progressive lenses and safety spectacles and remark lenses where required
  • Interpret the spectacle prescription to identify a range of vision correction options suitable for the customer
  • Offer suitable lens products to the customer based on customer needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
  • Offer specialised products to the customer based on their needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
  • Offer suitable frames to the customer based on their needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
  • Identify frame fitting suitability including facial, frame and spectacle lens measurements required to process spectacle orders for the customer
  • Process spectacle orders, payments and arrange collections, offering relevant promotions to the customer where appropriate
  • Identify and check visual acuity for near vision spectacle, explaining adaption as required
  • Fit spectacle frames through the use of questioning, measurements, and tools
  • Use tools correctly to adjust frame without causing damage
  • Provide advice and guidance on frame fitting, lens care and after sales service
  • Identify guarantees and warranties of optical products and adhere to the Sales of Good Act
  • Manage customer concerns and or complaints in line with employer procedures
  • Use problem solving techniques to identify concern and or complaint causes
  • Communicate with customers to resolve concerns or complaints within the limits of their own authority
  • Follow remake procedures
  • Follow repair procedures
  • Recognise and resolve customer complaints e.g. poor fitting, incorrect measurements, or offer alternative options in line with business requirements
  • Participate in training and development activities to maintain own practice
  • Participate in appraisal, obtain feedback, and use self-reflection to plan further development opportunities and identify available career opportunities to support progression
  • Adapt approach for customers with ocular conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes
  • Conduct screening using screening equipment and record accurate results
  • Inform the patient about the equipment, processes and procedures used for screening
  • Gain support or guidance from colleagues during screening when required
  • Inform the patient that the tests check for medical conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes
  • Deliver customer service which aligns with company values, beliefs and purposes
  • Identify when and who to refer to when supervision is required such as ocular emergencies, screening, dispensing and collections of restricted categories
  • Work within the limits of policies, procedures, and regulated activity such as GDPR, NHS, GOC, Health and Safety at Work and safeguarding
  • Follow employer’s guidelines and expectations for presentation and team working
  • Identify and meet customer needs within the optical environment
  • Communicate with customers and the optical team to maximise understanding
  • Refer customers needing communication support such as language, hearing, visual or learning difficulties to appropriate services
  • Follow health and safety legislation in the optical environment including customer safety, hygiene, and infection control
  • Follow safe use instructions when using optical equipment such as adjustment tools, screening equipment and measuring equipment
  • Follow procedures and processes for first aid, accident and incident reporting or evacuations
  • Provide the benefits and limitations of the different services (e.g. sight tests, contact lenses) and extended services (e.g. minor eye condition services, low vision services) to the customers within the optical environment
  • Offer non-prescribed products such as contact lens solutions, common ophthalmic drops, ready readers, magnifiers, and other accessories to customers
  • Select appointments, recall information, appointment types and exemptions on the employer’s system, and maintain accurate records, e.g. customer details
  • Report and record ocular emergencies following correct employer procedures
  • Accurately prepare clinical records for use following employer procedures
  • Accurately complete customer pre-appointment procedures
  • Use product tolerances to validate product accuracy
  • Use lens measuring equipment to identify prescriptions and lens measurements
  • Identify lens types using engravings such as progressive lenses and safety spectacles and remark lenses where required
  • Interpret the spectacle prescription to identify a range of vision correction options suitable for the customer
  • Offer suitable lens products to the customer based on customer needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
  • Offer specialised products to the customer based on their needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
  • Offer suitable frames to the customer based on their needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
  • Identify frame fitting suitability including facial, frame and spectacle lens measurements required to process spectacle orders for the customer
  • Process spectacle orders, payments and arrange collections, offering relevant promotions to the customer where appropriate
  • Identify and check visual acuity for near vision spectacle, explaining adaption as required
  • Fit spectacle frames through the use of questioning, measurements, and tools
  • Use tools correctly to adjust frame without causing damage
  • Provide advice and guidance on frame fitting, lens care and after sales service
  • Identify guarantees and warranties of optical products and adhere to the Sales of Good Act
  • Manage customer concerns and or complaints in line with employer procedures
  • Use problem solving techniques to identify concern and or complaint causes
  • Communicate with customers to resolve concerns or complaints within the limits of their own authority
  • Follow remake procedures
  • Follow repair procedures
  • Recognise and resolve customer complaints e.g. poor fitting, incorrect measurements, or offer alternative options in line with business requirements
  • Participate in training and development activities to maintain own practice
  • Participate in appraisal, obtain feedback, and use self-reflection to plan further development opportunities and identify available career opportunities to support progression
  • Adapt approach for customers with ocular conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes
  • Demonstrate contact lens handling and insertion and removal to a patient
  • Show the patient how to care for their lens
  • Provide advice and guidance on cleaning of lenses and solution types
  • Follow out of hours emergency procedures
  • Deliver customer service which aligns with company values, beliefs and purposes
  • Identify when and who to refer to when supervision is required such as ocular emergencies, screening, dispensing and collections of restricted categories
  • Work within the limits of policies, procedures, and regulated activity such as GDPR, NHS, GOC, Health and Safety at Work and safeguarding
  • Follow employer’s guidelines and expectations for presentation and team working
  • Identify and meet customer needs within the optical environment
  • Communicate with customers and the optical team to maximise understanding
  • Refer customers needing communication support such as language, hearing, visual or learning difficulties to appropriate services
  • Follow health and safety legislation in the optical environment including customer safety, hygiene, and infection control
  • Follow safe use instructions when using optical equipment such as adjustment tools, screening equipment and measuring equipment
  • Follow procedures and processes for first aid, accident and incident reporting or evacuations
  • Provide the benefits and limitations of the different services (e.g. sight tests, contact lenses) and extended services (e.g. minor eye condition services, low vision services) to the customers within the optical environment
  • Offer non-prescribed products such as contact lens solutions, common ophthalmic drops, ready readers, magnifiers, and other accessories to customers
  • Select appointments, recall information, appointment types and exemptions on the employer’s system, and maintain accurate records, e.g. customer details
  • Report and record ocular emergencies following correct employer procedures
  • Accurately prepare clinical records for use following employer procedures
  • Accurately complete customer pre-appointment procedures
  • Use product tolerances to validate product accuracy
  • Use lens measuring equipment to identify prescriptions and lens measurements
  • Identify lens types using engravings such as progressive lenses and safety spectacles and remark lenses where required
  • Interpret the spectacle prescription to identify a range of vision correction options suitable for the customer
  • Offer suitable lens products to the customer based on customer needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
  • Offer specialised products to the customer based on their needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
  • Offer suitable frames to the customer based on their needs and preferences, using features and benefits to highlight suitability
  • Identify frame fitting suitability including facial, frame and spectacle lens measurements required to process spectacle orders for the customer
  • Process spectacle orders, payments and arrange collections, offering relevant promotions to the customer where appropriate
  • Identify and check visual acuity for near vision spectacle, explaining adaption as required
  • Fit spectacle frames through the use of questioning, measurements, and tools
  • Use tools correctly to adjust frame without causing damage
  • Provide advice and guidance on frame fitting, lens care and after sales service
  • Identify guarantees and warranties of optical products and adhere to the Sales of Good Act
  • Manage customer concerns and or complaints in line with employer procedures
  • Use problem solving techniques to identify concern and or complaint causes
  • Communicate with customers to resolve concerns or complaints within the limits of their own authority
  • Follow remake procedures
  • Follow repair procedures
  • Recognise and resolve customer complaints e.g. poor fitting, incorrect measurements, or offer alternative options in line with business requirements
  • Participate in training and development activities to maintain own practice
  • Participate in appraisal, obtain feedback, and use self-reflection to plan further development opportunities and identify available career opportunities to support progression
  • Adapt approach for customers with ocular conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes
  • Recognise a customer’s ability to make an informed decision
  • Tell the customer what the sight test includes and how it is carried out
  • Work independently to plan and manage workload
  • Assess and mitigate risk in patient’s home to ensure an appropriate eye test can be delivered
  • Mange own wellbeing and resources
  • Maintain team communications when working remotely

Behaviours

  • Treat people with dignity and respect.
  • Show discretion and empathy for those you work with
  • Be adaptable, reliable and committed
  • Be caring and compassionate
  • Show resilience and self-awareness
  • Show openness and integrity at all times
  • Treat people with dignity and respect.
  • Show discretion and empathy for those you work with
  • Be adaptable, reliable and committed
  • Be caring and compassionate
  • Show resilience and self-awareness
  • Show openness and integrity at all times
  • Treat people with dignity and respect.
  • Show discretion and empathy for those you work with
  • Be adaptable, reliable and committed
  • Be caring and compassionate
  • Show resilience and self-awareness
  • Show openness and integrity at all times
Apprenticeship category (sector)
Health and science
Qualification level
3
Equal to A level
Course duration
18 months
Maximum funding
£8,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Optical Assistant

View more information about Optical assistant 2022 (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.