Optical Assistant Review
at Specsavers
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Customer Service, Healthcare
Maldon
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
Customer service, retail, taking payments, using systems, pre screening patients, booking appointments, collection appointments, teaching contact lens patients, dispensing glasses, calling patients, clinical hygiene, consent and permissions, fitting and adjusting spectacles, report taking, banking, diary management, focimetry
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoyed the course work and training, I enjoyed working with a team and furthering my education and knowledge in the clinical and healthcare side to optics, the ilearn courses were great for me and the journals I kept were great to keep track of my work and progress, my apprentice coach was always there to help me when I needed programme was very interesting and useful for my EPA.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes, so many new skills, from terminology to teaching people how to handle contact lenses, I learned how to dispense complicated prescriptions, eye health services from the NHS, eye conditions, causes, symptoms and treatments, lens types, lab processes, health and safety, policies and procedures, setting personal goals and team building skills. Developing my confidence in customer communication and building rapports with my team and our patients
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The apprentice team was very helpful and organised through out my journey as an apprentice, even when I changed apprentice coaches and was unsure if I was prepared enough for my end assessment. The coursework was easy to understand and my work was categorised. However towards the end of my course leading up to my final assessment I did struggle with reliability, structure, time management and persistence from work, which caused me anxiety and lead to rebooking my EPA a total of three times.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
Didn't get my full 4 hours of off the shop floor apprentice work, so had to do a lot at home, they were good with helping in training me for my apprentice work my co workers really made it, they were always there to help me when in need and answer any questions
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Cannot think of any times that I didn't feel like I couldn't reach out
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I now have full confidence in myself in my ability to perform my day to day work tasks, and am now even helping in training other staff members
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Our record day team dinners, we are all quite close and have similar interests and do occasionally meet up outside of work
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Specsavers to a friend?
Yes
Why?
They are some of the most kindest and understanding people, they have a lot of experience and knowledge and will never not give something a go
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Specsavers?
Don't be shy, explore the history of Specsavers and why it was built, see what they have to offer in terms of what suits you
