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What does an Optical Assistant/Receptionist do?
Working as an optical assistant/receptionist will put you in the front line of your employer's dealings with the public. The position will give you the chance to deal with a range of people both in person and on the telephone. You will face a wide spectrum of situations including routine enquiries, customer complaints and possibly even handling emergency problems.

A lot of the work will be clerical in nature and a tidy mind is always an asset. Unless you work in a small practice you will normally form part of a team and can seek advice from other members of staff around you.

What do I have to learn?
You will have to learn how to deal effectively and politely with visitors to the practice and quickly become accustomed to the paperwork needed both internally and for dealings with the NHS. Once this has been mastered additional skills (computer use, cash handling, filing, ordering) will be required and basic training is usually given in the key areas.

Do I need any academic qualifications?
Usually there are no specific requirements for academic qualification, however many practices may want you to have GCSE’s (or equivalent) at grade C or higher in Maths, English and Science.

What are the career prospects?
As with all optical careers there are a variety of paths open to you and all optical practices rely on the support of optical assistants and reception staff to a greater or lesser extent. The exact functions performed will vary, with some practices expecting mainly clerical work while others expect more clinical pre-screening to be performed.

Once proficient in your designated area there may be a chance to undergo further training, such as an NVQ in Optical Support, or even consider taking the distance learning course to become a fully trained Dispensing Optician.

Whilst some of the skills you gain may be specific to the optical industry, many will be useful if you ever decide to seek employment outside the world of optics – but with such a varied life available within optics who would want to!!

If you are in any doubt about whether this career could be for you, try and speak to your local optician, arrange for some work experience and see first hand the type and variety of work performed.