Dispensing optician

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship

University

To qualify as a dispensing optician, you can do a course approved by the General Optical Council . There are 3 different types of course to choose from.

You can do a:

• full-time diploma which takes 2 years followed by working under supervision for a year
• day release training course combined with working which takes 3 years
• distance learning course which includes on the job training and takes 3 years

You'll also need to pass the professional qualifying examinations from the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) .

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, including a science

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You may be able to apply for a place on a Dispensing Optician Level 6 Apprenticeship, with an opticians company.

This can take 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• maths knowledge
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to sell products and services
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• analytical thinking skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to read English
• active listening skills
• administration skills
• business management skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of English language
• thinking and reasoning skills
• a desire to help people
• excellent written communication skills
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Dispensing opticians give advice on vision care, and supply glasses and contact lenses to suit their customers needs.

In this role you could:

• calculate vision distances and angles
• give advice on caring for eye equipment
• measure for glasses or contact lenses and help people choose lenses and frames
• fit, adjust and repair frames
• refer clients back to an optometrist for vision tests when needed
• work with suppliers, order products and check quality on delivery

Location : You could work at a store or in an NHS or private hospital.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £40,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

42 - 44 hours a week

Working Pattern is weekends on a rota

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• become self employed and run your own business
• become a dispensing optician supervisor
• work as a consultant to a lens manufacturer or as a sales representative  selling equipment
• work in a hospital or teach at a university
• do further training and qualify to become an optometrist