Career pathway: why working as a Contact Lens Optician could be for you

Looking for a new job isn’t always the easiest of tasks.

You might browse jobs but struggle to get a sense of whether they would suit you or if you have the necessary skills. Often, you know you’re looking for a role that will mix things up, but you have no idea what you’re qualified for. So where do you begin?

Well, we happen to know all about careers in Optometry. Now, you might already be eyeing up these roles, or the thought has never crossed your mind. We caught up with a few colleagues to hear what they had to say about being a Contact Lens Optician at Vision Express.

Melanie joined the team in 2004 and has worked her way up to a Contact Lens Optician role in that time. She splits her time between our Falkirk branch and working remotely. Meanwhile, Yan Lam joined more recently in 2020 and works remotely.

Read on for an insight into their careers with us so far.

What made you choose a career at Vision Express?

Melanie: “I was in a job I didn’t enjoy at the time and thought I would try something different.”

Yan Lam: “Having worked for other major opticians, I wanted a different journey with Vision Express. Vision Express offered a different insight into contact lens care through remote working opportunities. I was interested in how we could continue the service through a pandemic.

Just like many of our other colleagues, Melanie and Yan Lam chose a career in optometry because they were looking for a new challenge. If you’re thinking about making the leap, here’s what it takes to stand out at Vision Express.

What has been your career journey since joining?

Melanie: “I started with Falkirk as an optical assistant, and they helped me progress to CLO.”

Melanie’s journey is just one of a few ways that you can become a Contact Lens Optician. And the opportunities don’t stop there. Our commitment to developing our people means that you can be sure you’ll always have something you’re working towards.

Yan Lam: “It has been a pleasant journey and it has been nice working in a close network of Contact Lens Opticians where we can share ideas to improve services and support each other professionally and privately.”

What is your favourite thing about being a Contact Lens Optician?

Melanie: “I love helping people to try an alternative vision correction option that may suit parts of their lifestyle better.”

Yan Lam: “Contact lenses are evolving rapidly and there are many new game-changing technologies that have surfaced. It is exciting to learn new ways to improve eyecare for patients.”

At Vision Express, we truly believe that we can have a positive impact on people’s lives. We put our customers’ needs front and centre and empower our Contact Lens Opticians to make a difference.

What advice do you have for anyone thinking about a Contact Lens Optician career?

Melanie: “Go for it! It's very varied and interesting.”

Melanie’s advice is straight to the point. If you’ve got the right mix of skills you need for a career in Optometry, then what are you waiting for?

Yan Lam: “It is a very interesting field, and a good balance with technology and anatomy. It keeps you alert all the time, not just by improving patients' ocular health, but also providing conveniences for their lifestyles. There is always something new to learn.”

Yan Lam is spot on here. The opportunity to grow and learn is just one of the reasons why an Optometry career could be for you.

Is there anyone you'd like to shout out to for the support they've given you?

Melanie: “Yes, a massive thank you to Martin and Alasdair for giving me the opportunities and always supporting me.”

Yan Lam: “Amanda Moore!”

See what Optometry opportunities we have in store for you

We want to make sure that everyone has a good experience at Vision Express, both our customers and colleagues. To achieve this, we look for people who we believe will live our values every day and then provide them with the support and training they need to deliver a brilliant service.

If Melanie and Yan Lam’s stories have left you curious to know more about our careers, why not explore our Eye Care Professionals hub and view our Contact Lens Optician roles? Or, check out Dispensing Optician and Pre-Registration Optometrist opportunities.