5 skills you’ll hone as a pre-registration optometrist

Becoming a pre-registration optometrist can be a challenging and rewarding experience. As you work towards your goal of becoming a fully qualified optometrist, you’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills you need to succeed in the world of optometry. 

Your degree in optometry means you have the knowledge needed to practice as an optometrist. Pre-registration is all about putting those skills into practice in real-life scenarios. You’ll get to work with a high-achieving team every day at Vision Express, in a safe and supportive environment. 

What will my day look like? 

• Building relationships with customers 
• Developing clinical aspects of your practice 
• Gaining a certain amount of eye examinations and dispenses 
• Working towards your OSCE examinations with the support of your dedicated professional tutor 

Commitment and drive 

Your pre-registration year can be a steep learning curve with targets and milestones to hit along the way. It can take a minute to hit these targets but as the course progresses, your skills and knowledge will too. 

All good things take time and when you do hit these milestones, it’ll be worth every bit of effort you put in. Commitment and drive are what will get you over the finish line to become a fully qualified optometrist so you continue to learn and grow. 

Eagerness to learn 

The eyecare industry is forever changing and delivering the best care for your customers means you’ll need to stay on top of the latest industry developments and technology. 

At Vision Express, learning is actively encouraged. In your pre-reg year, we create time and space for you to do so. You’ll have access to 80 hours of content covering a range of clinical topics so you can work on your development in your own time. 

There are many different routes you can take with a career in optometry. This programme will allow you to explore these options, learn what aspects of optometry you enjoy, and give you an idea of how you can continue to progress in your career.

Empathy and care

Customers could feel anxious, embarrassed, or just uncomfortable in new situations. Putting yourself in their shoes can help you to put your customers at ease, overcome reluctance, and encourage your customers to reveal their true concerns. This is the first-class eyecare we strive for at Vision Express. 

Creating joy in vision is our mission and we are looking for people who care about the well-being of our customers. We invest in building these relationships and make every interaction a special one. 

Organisation

You’ll be balancing working at a store, mock assessments, and preparing for the OSCE exams. To stay on top of all this, you’ll need to be highly organised. Being accountable for your time will keep you on track. 

If it sounds like a lot to keep on top of, not to worry. You’ll have all the support you need every step of the way. At Vision Express, you will be paired with a supervisor and a professional development tutor. If you have any questions or concerns, they’ll be around to help and maximise your chances of passing the OSCE examinations the first time. 

Communication 

Communication plays a crucial role in building customer relationships. Knowing how to communicate with people is the key to uncovering what their needs are. It also helps the customer to understand their diagnosis, whether they need to make lifestyle changes and their treatment options. 

You might also need to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to make sure your customers are getting the possible care in all aspects. Communicating in a clear and concise way facilitates just that. 

Pre-registration optometry at Vision Express 

By mastering these skills, you’ll be better equipped to provide high-quality, customer-centred care that will leave your customers and you with a smile. 

We will support you in a career that you enjoy. You’ll be matched with a supervisor, have training tailored to your needs, access to self-development tools, and unrivalled support. Everyone at Vision Express is here to help you to navigate this new chapter in your career. 

Take a step closer to becoming a fully qualified optometrist with Vision Express and start your pre-registration journey today.