Job Details
Job Title: Optician
Employer: Loblaw Companies Limited
Advertisement
Location: 3515 Mayor Magrath Dr S, Lethbridge, AB
Wage: $32 – $38 per hour
Terms of employment: Permanent employment, Full-time
Start date: Starts as soon as possible
Advertisement
Verified: Yes
Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust, and making connections are valued. We aim to shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country’s largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues with a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians live a great life.
At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.
The Importance Of The Job Role
In this role, you will become an expert on all optical things. We are looking for an individual who strives to curate a personalized experience for our customers that fulfills their unique needs. While doing so, you’ll partner with our amazing team who work collaboratively to create a brand that values quality, and affordability.
Our ideal candidate must be an individual who is keen on helping Canadians live a great life by embodying our Core Values, Care, Ownership, Respect, and Excellence. Furthermore, the Optical market is evolving, and Loblaw has bold ambitions to continue to grow with it. Each of our 181 Optical clinics, conveniently located in our grocery stores, plays an important role in servicing our customers.
By offering the ease and convenience of a one-stop-shop we provide amazing service, incredible product quality, and industry-leading value supported by the world-class PC Optimum program. We are on a mission to deliver affordable, high-quality eye wear to more Canadians
Job Responsibilities
- You will deliver an excellent experience and build a rapport with customers.
- You will need to inspire the team to provide best-in-class customer service by leading by example.
- Also, you must wear eye wear on the floor.
- In addition, you will need to take measurements, fit, adjust, repair, and dispense eyeglasses. As well as contact lenses and specialty eye wear with a focus on customer happiness.
- Simplify and communicate optical terminology to our customers
- You will handle the store operations in the absence of the Manager.
- Order and receive products daily
- Commitment to promoting a workplace of inclusiveness and belonging
Requirements
- Provincially licensed within the jurisdiction and a minimum of 1-year Optical experience
- Management experience is an asset
- Knowledge of MS Office Suite
- Highly organized, diligent, with strong time management capabilities
- Enthusiastic and concise communication to meet & exceed customer expectations
- A love for fashion, eye wear, and the retail industry
We are committed to Sustainability and Social Impact. It is an essential part of the way we do business and we focus our attention on areas where we can have the greatest impact. Furthermore, our approach to sustainability and social impact is based on three pillars, such as Environment, Sourcing, and Community.
Also, we are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate leadership in these important areas. Our CORE Values, which are Care, Ownership, Respect, and Excellence, guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. Additionally, we provide our colleagues with progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits.
These are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s greenest employers, and Canada’s Top Employers for Young People. However, if you are doubting whether your experience matches every requirement above, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for varied perspectives which include diverse experiences that we can add to our team.
Also, we have a long-standing focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion because we know it will make our company a better place to work and shop. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates, and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.
Kindly Note That:
Candidates who are 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.
What Does An Optician Do?
Opticians help people who have prescriptions from Optometrists and Ophthalmologists. They are often the first point of contact for people with concerns about vision. They provide advice to customers and help them feel more confident in their decisions about eye wear.
Opticians help people at all stages of their eye wear journey, from providing new glasses or contact lenses and performing adjustments to carrying out repairs. Their knowledge and friendliness encourage customers to return to the same Optician store or practice. A good Optician can promote brand loyalty and positive word-of-mouth publicity.
Optician Skills And Qualifications
Opticians use a combination of technical and customer service skills to help their customers. A successful Optician candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications, that typically include:
- Technical ability using ophthalmic tools such as a focimeter, tonometer, or retinoscope
- Strong verbal communication skills which include active listening for advising and educating customers
- Confidence in working as part of a team
- Mathematics skills for calculating vision angles and distances
- Computer literacy for updating customer records and placing orders
Optician Experience Requirements
Experience working in optician shops or eye clinics is preferable, but not essential. Working in an optician store as an Optical Assistant, a Sales Assistant, or a Receptionist will help aspiring Opticians become familiar with eye care processes. This is because these roles can help develop customer service skills.
Some employers prefer Opticians who gain experience through work placement programs. These programs are part of diploma courses approved by the General Optical Council. They oversee students working under the supervision of qualified Opticians.
Optician Education And Training Requirements
Aspiring Opticians need 5 GSCEs in grades 9 to 4 in English and Mathematics and one or two A levels in science. These subjects are prerequisites for enrolling in courses approved by the General Optical Council. Aspiring Opticians can complete a two-year diploma course, followed by a one-year work placement program.
Alternatively, people in eligible employment could complete a three-year day release or distance learning course. After completing their education, graduates must pass the professional qualifying examinations from the Association of British Dispensing Opticians Professional.
How To Become An Optician
When learning how to become an optician, there are several routes to consider. The one you choose depends on your education and available opportunities. Three general steps to consider when becoming an optician include:
Build Transferable Skills
An optician needs to have transferable skills before starting their career. This involves building numerical skills, an understanding of customer service, and developing communication skills. For many people, having a good secondary school education in the core skills of math, science, and English can provide the basic skills necessary for success.
Earn An Apprenticeship
Many opticians start their careers by taking apprenticeships as optical retail assistants in stores. This allows you to build an understanding of the key skills, technical abilities, and processes involved in running the store, which opens up further opportunities. Many large optician retailers provide apprenticeship schemes specifically for training new opticians.
Complete The Required Qualifications
To become an optician, it’s mandatory to register with the General Optical Council (GOC) and gain the related GOC-approved qualification. The second required qualification is the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) exams, which typically take two to three years to complete using a combination of training and employment experience. Once you obtain these qualifications, you can work legally as an optician.
What Is The Working Environment Of An Optician?
The majority of opticians work in retail stores or offices as part of a wider eye care team. Depending on the store, an optician may perform eye tests in addition to assisting customers with eye wear. For more in-depth eye tests, an optometrist or ophthalmologist may also be available.
The role involves interacting with the general public daily and can become a busy environment, especially when there are multiple appointments at once. Opticians working in lens or eye wear production may deal with chemicals and glass-cutting equipment, although always in a closed, controlled environment. All the very best!