Optician jobs - Who's in your practice?
Your optometrist
Your optometrist is a highly skilled professional who will thoroughly examine your eyes. During a sight test, your optometrist will test your vision as well as the health of your eyes, prescribing glasses and contact lenses where necessary.
Their qualifications
Optometrists have extensive training for at least four years and must be registered with the General Optical Council (GOC), the governing body. Some of our optometrists take higher qualifications to allow them to treat common eye conditions or prescribe medicine for conditions affecting the eye and surrounding tissues. All of our optometrists also fit contact lenses.
Your contact lens optician
Contact lens opticians are highly skilled, specialising in the fitting of contact lenses. They are able to advise on which lenses are most suited to you as well as carriying out necessary aftercare.
Their qualifications
Contact lens opticians have first qualified as dispensing opticians (a three year course) then undertaken an additional two year contact lens course. All contact lens opticians must be registered with the GOC.
Your Dispensing Optician
All our dispensing opticians are trained to provide you with the most suitable lenses, coatings and frames for your requirements. They will take detailed measurements to make sure your glasses work as well as possible for you and also give you advice on the best use and care of your glasses.
Their qualifications
Dispensing opticians complete academic and practical training over at least three years and must be registered with the GOC.
Your Support Team
Members of the support team, including receptionist staff, optical assistants and clinical assistants , work under the direction of the practice manager and are often your first point of contact when you visit the practice . Support staff make sure that any necessary paperwork is completed before you see the optometrist. Our support team is highly trained and can advise on suitable glasses and lenses, as well as instruct you on how to use your contact lenses safely. They may also have been trained to carry out some clinical tests but the results will be looked at by the optometrist.
