Optical Assistant

An exciting opportunity to join an independent Opticians. The role is to work as part of the practice team in the delivery of first-class services, showing excellent understanding of customer needs as well as being motivated in achieving sales.

This role would suit someone from a retail / customer service background with an interest in developing and understanding of optical dispensing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer / Patient

• Meet and greet patients as they come into the practice and register them, as required

• Assist patients with enquiries and appointments
• Announce patient appointments and hand over / coordinate patients
• Allocate contact lenses and handle associated queries and Direct Debit arrangements, where appropriate

• Assist with minor adjustment and fitting requirements such as nose pads etc. where appropriate

• Provide patients with pricing information in relation to glasses and contact lenses
• Pre-screen, take pressures and fields, take retinal photography and OCT, once training is received

Administration

• Answer the telephones and deal with enquiries and appointments
• Operate the cash till and handle cash, electronic and cheque transactions
• Cash up and bank branch takings
• Check emails daily and respond or refer to the Practice Manager appropriately
•  Prepare and send off NHS returns
• Maintain all required records and databases
•  Prepare and issue correspondence, as required
• Undertake filing activities
•  Order stock, including contact lenses and lenses for spectacles
• Check standing orders for contact lenses
• Coordinate postal duties.

Assisting in Dispensing

• Offer the customer general advice and guidance
• Implement minor repairs to frames
• Carry out OCT, retinal photography, tonometry and visual field tests supplementary to an eye examination and to alert the optometrist to any unusual / abnormal features identified through these processes

• Keep appropriate records and report to the Practice Manager as required

Selling & Customer Relationship Management

• Maximise sales whilst minimising costs to ensure the achievement of specified margins and targets

• Ascertain the wants and needs of each customer
• Recommend, select and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and wants

• Describe merchandise and explain its use, benefits, operation and care to customers

• Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions as well as policies regarding payment, exchanges and security

• Serve customers, bag and package purchases
• Observe and identify security risks and theft and to prevent and attend to these occurrences appropriately

• Ensure that the practice always provides excellent customer service, meeting and– where possible – exceeding customer expectations

• Manage enquiries, complaints, refunds etc, as required

There will be a requirement to work some Saturdays.