Module 1: Health and Safety

Knowledge of:

Health and safety at work legislation relevant to the industry. The safe use of all industry equipment relevant to the role.

Skills to:

Maintain safe working practices at all times. Identify risks or dangers to self, customers or colleagues.

Module 2: Materials of Frames and Lenses

Knowledge of:

A wide range of frame and lens material, including features, benefits, visual and material limitations.
The legal requirements of products, the potential allergic reactions they may cause to ensure the best vision, fit and comfort.

Skills to:

Identify, explain, recommend suitable frame and lens materials based on the customers’ needs and requirements. Clearly explain choices and ensure that health and legal requirements are met.

Module 3: Tools and Equipment

Knowledge of:

A wide range of optical tools and equipment.
The uses and limitations of hand tools, quality checking machinery e.g. focimeter, pupilometer, frame heater, double nylon jaw pliers, angling pliers, snipe nose pliers, cutter pliers, nose pad pliers, axis pliers, screwdriver set, non-contact tonometer auto refractor, visual field screeners.

Skills to:

Confidently and correctly use and explain appropriately to a customer the wide range of tools and equipment within the optical practice.
Take measurements, adjust of repair spectacles e.g. facial measuring tools, frame measurement tools, frame adjustment tools and screening equipment.

Module 4: Quality and Governance

Knowledge of:

Employer’s and NHS quality standards for accurate and secure record keeping.
Adherence to British, European standards and industry governance set out by the general optical council e.g. referral to clinical colleagues fr support and advice when identifying and ocular emergency, taking measurements, completing a collection for customers within protected named groups (under 16’s partially sighted/blind and complex prescriptions).

Skills to:

Work to the appropriate company quality standards and systems. Accurately keep records.
Enable relevant timely referrals to clinical colleagues to protect the customer, business and self.

Module 5: Screening Checks

Knowledge of:

The screening equipment used, its function and the appropriate language to explain its function within own area of responsibility, knowing when to refer to clinician.
Eye and medical conditions screened for e.g. glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes.

Skills to:

Clearly explain screening checks, the reasons they are done and how the machinery works.
Empathise with customers undergoing screening and be able to communicate reassurance and confidence when needed.

Module 6: Customer Interactions, Dispensing, Fitting and Adjustment of Spectacles

Knowledge of:

Customer types and barriers to communication they may face e.g. customers of varying ages, customers with specific communication or mental health needs.
How to adapt questioning and communication to meet customer requirements.
Parts of the eye and how this relates to the makeup of a spectacle prescription.
How a prescription is written and interpreted e.g. myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, visual equity and the effects the prescription has on vision and spectacle lens thickness. Frame and lens measurements and fitting for prescriptions up
to +/- 10 e.g. pupil distances, vertical heights, pantoscopic angles, frontal bow, length to bend, eye size and bridge width, understanding of how to check vision and fit for multiple vision types and the precautionary recommendations to issue to customers on final fitting.

Skills to:

Build rapport and trust with the customer and identify their communication preferences, clearly explain and interpret verbal and written prescription specifications and the effects this has on the eye.
To explain to the customer the translation of written prescription to finished product.
Use product knowledge and be able to explain how this affects vision and to be able to make recommendations for dispensing of glasses to suit needs and preferences.
Identify suitable fitting frames based on facial and prescription requirements pupil distances, vertical heights, pantoscopic angles, frontal bow, length to bend, eye size and bridge width. How to use tools and equipment in close proximity to the customer which may make the customer feel uncomfortable. Accurately check vision and take into account how the final fit of the frames can affect someone’s vision.
Fit the final product to ensure ongoing comfort and correct vision. Carry out repairs and adjustments on an ongoing basis.