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