All of the InternetGlassesCommpany team are experienced in practice and fully qualified in the different aspects of Optics. We have Opticians who verify prescriptions and follow up clinical queries, dispensing opticians who check the combinations of lens and frames and answer technical questions. Our workshop technicians make up the glasses and calculate lens curves, and optical assistants look after general queries and help out with every aspect of the business. If you’re itching to get out in the real world as soon as possible after school or want a change of career without having to gain a degree, then Optical Assistant may be a job you’d consider….

“The great thing about my job is the variety, both when I’m out in practice or working at the InternetGlassesCompany. It’s a blend of customer care and technical skills which make every day different. In practice, I pre-screen patients before the optician sees them, checking for signs of Glaucoma and using retinal imaging equipment. Training takes place in the practice, and it’s as much about how to communicate with patients as using the machinery. We don’t diagnose, our role is to help patients through the tests and make sure they’re comfortable with the process. I also help them to choose frames and lenses, under the watchful eye of the dispensing opticians of course! We’re not sales people, we’re advisors who want to help patients find the perfect specs for them. I also adjust glasses and fit them on patients when they collect a new pair. It can be a real Gok Wan moment when they’re transformed by a new frame!

I bring all of my knowledge from the practice to the InternetGlassesCompany, for a start having experienced real people I know how to set frames so they’ll be comfortable when they arrive in the post. Sometimes I contact patients if their frame choice is wrong for their lens power or pupil measurement, the dispensing optician and I discuss all queries and we like to take client cases and see them through to putting them in the post! I wouldn’t want to be involved in the InternetGlassesCompany if I didn’t work with real patients too, my face to face contact is invaluable for looking after my cyber space clients too! Most Optical Assistants are trained in practice, so keep a keen eye on situations vacant or check local opticians to see if they have job opportunities. You need to be computer literate and have GCSEs in useful subjects like maths and English – each optician may have their own criteria but these are general. People skills and a calm personality are also helpful, you’ll have to deal with all age groups and patients who might be nervous about seeing the optician. It’s worthwhile and no two days are the same – I love it – and you might too!”