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 have a full driving license and access to a car; experience in dispensing optics preferred.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome all applicants.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 35000 £ per year.
Role Description
Join our Team as Special School Dispensing Optician-Mobile- SEN Services
Location
Hybrid- South and South-East London school sites/ home
Salary£31,500 per annum with SeeAbility benefits + all professional fees and travel expenses paid + company pension
HoursFull Time (37.5 hours- Monday to Friday) or Part Time (negotiable)
ContractPermanent
EssentialAbility to attend multiple schools in your London region is required, as well as a full driving license and regular access to a car
About You
This 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 London and South East 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 you 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 us
Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225thanniversary, 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 andassists 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.
#INDSJS
Our Benefits
SeeAbility Total Rewards Package
Your development and appreciation
- 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
Your work-life balance
NO weekends plus working from home during school holidays and outside school hours
- 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 Leaveavailable
Your money goes further
- £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.
Your wellbeing counts
- Cycle to Workscheme
- 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
Safer Recruitment
SeeAbility is committed to safe and fair recruitment practices, safeguarding and protecting those who we support. It is a condition of employment that perspective employees will be subject to DBS Checks, Right to Work, Health Declarations, and References are part of the onboarding process to ensure safety and compliance accordance to Care Quality Commissions requirements .These checks will be carried out and completed prior offering a date to start employment at SeeAbility s expense.
Diversity
SeeAbility is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Welcomes applications from all identities, including those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process. In some cases, roles may be exempt under Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, Part 1) due to genuine occupational requirements.
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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 services or supported diverse groups, as this will resonate with our team-oriented approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your flexibility and willingness to travel across London for this role. Be ready to explain how you plan to manage your time effectively while attending multiple schools, as this is a key requirement for the position.
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 in schools.
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 individuals 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 field.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since the role involves collaborating with school staff and other healthcare professionals, be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully worked in a team. Emphasise your communication skills and ability to build relationships with diverse groups.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and the organisation. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if the company culture aligns with your values, especially regarding their commitment to diversity and inclusion.