Optical Assistant / Receptionist – Trainee or Experienced
Nu-Sight Opticians – Aylesbury
Job type: Full-time or part-time
Full-time hours: Approximately 37 hours per week
Salary: £24,750–£27,500 per year for full-time employment, depending on experience
Part-time salary: Pro rata according to agreed hours
Working days: Tuesday to Saturday
Closed: Sunday and Monday
About the opportunity
Nu-Sight Opticians is an established independent optical practice in the heart of Aylesbury. We are looking for a friendly, dependable and enthusiastic person to join our small team.
This opportunity could suit someone from a customer-service, reception or administrative background who would like to begin a career in optics. Training and support will be provided, with the opportunity to develop into the role of an Optical Assistant.
We would also be very pleased to hear from an experienced Optical Assistant who is considering a move and would enjoy working in a friendly independent practice where patient care is personal and responsibilities are varied.
The position may be offered on either a full-time or part-time basis, depending on the successful candidate.
The role
You will help with the day-to-day reception and administration of the practice while supporting our optometrist and dispensing team.
For someone entering optics, the role will begin with reception, patient care and administration. You will then have the opportunity to develop your knowledge of eyewear, lenses and spectacle dispensing.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Welcoming patients and helping them feel comfortable
- Answering telephone calls in a friendly and professional manner
- Booking, confirming and managing appointments
- Responding to general patient enquiries
- Maintaining accurate patient records
- Assisting with patient recalls and other administrative tasks
- Supporting the optometrist and dispensing team
- Helping patients with frame selection once appropriately trained
- Assisting with spectacle collections and adjustments as your skills develop
- Learning about spectacle frames, lenses and optical terminology
- Helping with the practice’s marketing and social-media activity
- Supporting the general organisation and smooth running of the practice
Candidates with previous optical experience will be encouraged to take on responsibilities appropriate to their existing knowledge and training.
About you
Previous optical experience is welcome but not essential. Attitude, reliability and a genuine willingness to learn are equally important.
We are looking for someone who:
- Has previous experience in a customer-facing role
- Enjoys meeting, speaking with and helping people
- Has a friendly, confident and professional telephone manner
- Is comfortable using computers and learning new systems
- Communicates clearly and professionally
- Is organised and pays close attention to detail
- Is dependable, flexible and willing to help
- Works well as part of a small team
- Is keen to learn and develop new skills
- Takes pride in providing thoughtful, personal service
Because we are a small practice, every member of the team plays an important part. The successful candidate will be someone who takes ownership of their responsibilities while also being happy to help wherever needed.
Training and progression
For someone entering optics, this position provides an opportunity to learn directly from an experienced optometrist and dispensing team.
Your initial training will cover our reception systems, patient administration and the day-to-day running of the practice. As your confidence and knowledge develop, you will have the opportunity to learn about:
- Spectacle frames and lenses
- Helping patients select suitable eyewear
- Taking basic spectacle measurements
- Spectacle collections and adjustments
- Contact lenses and specialist optical services
- The wider responsibilities of an Optical Assistant
Our aim is to find someone who can grow into the position and become a knowledgeable and valued member of the practice.
An experienced Optical Assistant will be able to build upon their existing skills while enjoying the variety and personal patient relationships offered by an independent practice.
Working at Nu-Sight
Nu-Sight is different from a large optical chain. We are a small, independent practice that takes time to get to know its patients and provide genuinely personal care.
You will work closely with the practice owner and the rest of the team, take on a varied range of responsibilities and have the opportunity to make a noticeable contribution to the practice.
This role may particularly appeal to someone who values:
- Developing personal relationships with patients
- A friendly, close-knit working environment
- Varied and interesting responsibilities
- The opportunity to learn and progress
- Being part of an established local independent business
- Having Sunday and Monday as regular days off
Working hours
Our practice opening hours are:
- Tuesday to Friday: 9.00am–5.30pm
- Saturday: 9.00am–4.00pm
- Sunday and Monday: Closed
The full-time position is approximately 37 hours per week after allowing for 45-minute unpaid lunch breaks.
Saturday working will be required. We are also open to discussing a part-time arrangement with the right candidate, provided their availability meets the needs of the practice.
Salary
The full-time salary is £24,750–£27,500 per year, depending on previous experience, optical knowledge and the level of responsibility the successful candidate can undertake.
Someone entering optics without previous experience would normally start at the lower end of the range while receiving on-the-job training and support.
Applicants with relevant optical experience, qualifications or established dispensing skills may be offered a higher starting salary reflecting what they can bring to the practice.
There will also be scope for salary progression as an inexperienced candidate develops their optical skills and takes on additional responsibilities.
For a part-time appointment, the salary will be calculated pro rata according to the agreed working hours.
How to apply
Please apply through Indeed with your CV and must be accompanied with a short covering note telling us:
- Why this position interests you
- What customer-service, reception, administration or optical experience you have
- Whether you are looking for full-time or part-time employment
- Your availability to work on Saturdays
We would be delighted to hear from someone who already has optical experience, but we are equally interested in finding the right person with the attitude, personality and enthusiasm to learn.
Pay: Up to £27,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
