At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide life-changing eye care to young people in schools across London.
- Company: Join SeeAbility, a historic charity dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities since 1799.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday, and a £500 monthly bonus scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working in a supportive, collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified dispensing optician with a full driving licence.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development and funded qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 35000 £ per year.
Role DescriptionJoin our Team as Special School Dispensing Optician-Mobile- SEN Services
Location: London and the home counties with urgent need for South West London
Salary: £31,500 per annum with SeeAbility benefits + all professional fees and travel expenses paid + company pension
Hours: Full Time (37.5 hours- Monday to Friday) or Part Time (negotiable)
Contract: Permanent
Essential: Ability to attend multiple schools in your London region is required, as well as a full driving license and regular access to a car
About YouThis is an exciting opportunity for a full-time/ part-time dispensing optician to work in a non-commercial, clinically challenging setting providing complex, creative and often life-changing support with spectacles to young people as part of our NHS special school eyecare service. You will have your own caseload of London schools and will work collaboratively with our established eye care team, as well as the school staff teams, and under the guidance of the special schools service manager and dispensing optician clinical lead. Ability to attend multiple schools in your South West London region is required, as well as a full driving license and regular access to a car.
What will you be doing?The successful candidate would be expected to work 4-5 school days (20-25 hours) in the school setting during term time. You will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running of clinics across your defined school caseload. This will include managing your own diary, under the supervision of the service manager and dispensing optician clinical lead, to ensure efficient, timely, high-quality care for all children under our care. You will be responsible for providing spectacle dispensing, repairs, replacements and follow ups to your caseload.
Your responsibilities for the remainder of your Full Time role and school holidays, will be to support the special schools service manager in ensuring the smooth running of the service. The service manager will have overall responsibility for the planning of clinics, and you will support by liaising with schools to book clinic rooms and gain consent from parents, book appointment diaries for yourself and the optometrists, respond to parent and school enquiries and offer and provide teaching staff inset training on eye care and vision.
Please see the attached job description for detailed information involving the role.
About usRegistered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!
We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported‐living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye‐care services to children and adults alike and assist people with a disability to find paid employment for the very first time.
SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.
Our Benefits
Fully paid essential training inc. 15 point Module with City St Georges University of London
Annual excellence awards
Long service awards every 5 years and recognition
Development discussions: Opportunity to discuss your progress and your future
Leadership development academy for the next steps in your career
33 days holiday (Pro‐rata, incl. bank holidays), increasing to 41 days with long service (1 extra day for each year of service)
Life events: Time off when you need it most
2 weeks Organisational Sick Pay after 6 months service, increasing to 12 weeks over your first 3 years
Enhanced Family‐Friendly Pay
Paid Fertility Leave
Carers Leave available
£500 monthly bonus scheme for two lucky colleagues
Eligible for Blue Light Card discounts
Discounts and cashback at hundreds of shops, restaurants and activities
Access to Tickets for Good
Employer contributory pension scheme: Support and tools to help you make the right decisions about your future
Refer a friend and receive £600
Paid DBS and renewals
Advance pay scheme and high interest saving scheme through Wage Stream App for all our colleagues
Cycle to Work scheme
Life assurance of 2x annual salary
Free 24/7 employee assistance programme for advice and support
Free eye test
Discounted Gym Membership
Dedicated in‐house Wellbeing Coach for your team
Safeguarding and Promoting WelfareSeeAbility is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support. We expect all staff to uphold this commitment and have a strong understanding of their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding.
Safer RecruitmentAs part of our safer recruitment procedures, we require the following checks for all successful applicants:
A criminal background check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (where appropriate).
Documentary evidence to confirm your identity, current address, and the right to work in the UK.
Health Declaration to ensure that you are medically suitable for the role you have been offered.
References will be obtained to ensure satisfactory evidence of conduct in current or previous employment concerned with the provision of services relating to (a) health or social care, or (b) children or vulnerable adults.
These checks will be carried out and completed prior to offering a date to start employment at SeeAbility\’s expense.
DiversitySeeAbility is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from individuals of all identities, including those from underrepresented groups and those who have a disability or neurodivergent condition. We are proud to confirm that we are a Disability Confident employer.
We believe a diverse workforce drives innovation, creativity, and success. Everyone\’s unique experiences and views are appreciated, and their opinions valued. We are happy to offer any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process or the role itself to ensure a fair and equitable experience for all candidates.
In exceptional circumstances, it is exempt from the Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, Part 1) which provides for the application of a genuine occupational requirement.
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Dispensing Optician employer: SeeAbility
Contact Detail:
SeeAbility Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Dispensing Optician
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with learning disabilities and complex needs. Understanding their unique challenges will help you demonstrate your commitment to providing tailored eye care during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of special education and optometry. Attend relevant workshops or seminars to connect with others who work in similar roles, as they may provide valuable insights or even referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with managing a caseload and working collaboratively with teams. Highlight any previous roles where you successfully coordinated with multiple stakeholders, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your driving skills and flexibility in your availability. Since the role requires travelling to various schools, emphasising your readiness to adapt your schedule and commute will make you a more attractive candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Dispensing Optician
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience as a dispensing optician, particularly in non-commercial or clinical settings. Emphasise any work with children or in educational environments, as this role involves supporting young people.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for working with children and your understanding of the unique challenges they face regarding eye care. Mention your ability to manage a caseload and collaborate with school staff, as these are key aspects of the role.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Ensure you list all relevant qualifications and certifications, especially those related to dispensing optics. If you have any additional training or experience in special education or working with disabilities, be sure to include that as well.
Showcase Your Soft Skills: In your application, highlight soft skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork. These are crucial for working effectively with children, parents, and school staff, and will demonstrate your suitability for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at SeeAbility
✨Know Your Role
Familiarise yourself with the specific responsibilities of a Dispensing Optician in a school setting. Understand the unique challenges and rewards of working with children who have complex needs, as this will help you demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in dispensing optics, particularly any work with children or in educational settings. Highlight any relevant training or qualifications that align with the job requirements, as this will show your commitment to the role.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since you'll be working closely with school staff and other healthcare professionals, be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated in a team environment. This will illustrate your ability to work effectively within the established eye care team.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and the organisation. Inquire about the specific challenges faced in the schools you’ll be working with, as well as opportunities for professional development. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.