What are the career choices in our Vision Express stores?

The 2022 General Optical Council report surveyed optical professionals around the country and found that more people were satisfied in their current roles. Why might this be?

Optometry is the place to be if you want to build a meaningful career helping people to see. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities for progression. At Vision Express, creating joy in vision for our colleagues and customers is a top priority. 

You’ll have all the support and tools you need to begin your career or even take it to the next level. If you do not have previous optical experience, don’t worry, there is something for everyone.

Retail Roles 

Retail Optical Assistant 

This is a great stepping stone into optometry where you’ll have the chance to develop your knowledge of optical products as well as your interpersonal skills. If you enjoy working with lots of different people and working as part of a team, this role is perfect for you. 

Your day-to-day will look like managing appointments, assisting customers with choosing frames, and working on a busy shop floor. Being the first point of contact, you will play a big role in personalising our customers’ experience. 

Next steps 

The technical and customer service skills you develop in this role will allow you to progress nicely into other roles such as a store manager. In this role, you’ll become one of our game-changing leaders. 

Alternatively, if you wanted to go down a professional path, you may consider enrolling in our trainee dispensing optician internal sponsorship. This course spans over three years and can be completed alongside working in-store. 

Store Manager 

Being a store manager means looking at the bigger picture. Every person at Vision Express shapes our success but this role has the unique opportunity to determine areas of growth and make those changes. 

In this role, you will be responsible for creating a high-achieving environment, developing your team, and building a great customer experience. 

Next steps

Growth and development are important at every stage in your career and there are limitless progression opportunities at Vision Express to do so. 

The next steps for this role could be becoming a regional manager. In this role, you’ll manage multiple stores in your appointed region, where you’ll shape and own your regional business plan. You’ll achieve this by engaging your team, reinforcing key messaging, and sharing commercial and financial expectations. 

Eyecare Professionals 

Contact Lens Optician 

This is where technology meets anatomy. As a contact lens optician, you’ll enjoy learning about new tech to improve eyecare for your patients. 

By understanding your customer’s needs and lifestyle as well as optical products and current trends. Your job will be to find the right contact lens solution for our customers to make them feel comfortable, taking into account their requirements. 

Next steps 

Contact lens opticians combine their knowledge of eye health and eye comfort and are continuously developing that knowledge. Whether you’re looking to understand the products and services that we offer at Vision Express customers better or if you are looking to progress into an optometrist role, we’re here to support you every step of the way. 

Pre-reg Optometrist 

Pre-reg optometry is the final step in becoming a practising optician. It can seem daunting but we aim to make your pre-reg year a smooth transition into optometry. How? 

You will be matched with a supervisor who understands how you learn and work, you will have one-to-one coaching sessions that are tailored to your needs, and guidance at every stage from a dedicated professional development tutor. 

The OSCE exam can be intimidating and we don’t want any surprises coming your way. That’s why we provide our pre-registration students with mock OSCE days where you can get all the practice you need before your big day. 

This level of support is why 90% of our pre-reg students pass the first time. 

Next steps 

Upon completion of your pre-registration year, you will qualify as an optometrist, opening up numerous career paths for you. At Vision Express, you can choose from various opportunities, such as relocating to a different city, working in a local Tesco or town centre, or even becoming a mobile optometrist. 

Once you settle into your role and gain confidence, you’ll be in a great position to explore different paths such as becoming a joint venture partner, an optometrist store manager, or joining the learning & development team. 

Start creating joy in vision 

There is no better place for ambitious professionals who have their sights set on a career in optometry. With unrivalled support, recognition of your achievements, and encouragement to work towards your goals, nothing is stopping you from taking your career to the next level. 

Find a role that suits you today.