Eye care professionals consider better pay the greatest priority when seeking a new job but value patient interaction most when they actually land their dream position.
This was one of the key findings from the Optician Workplace Survey 2014, which also revealed a strong appetite for further training and improved promotion prospects within the sector.
The survey, completed by 550 optical professionals from both independents and multiples, was sponsored by Specsavers.
Aside from salary, which was of importance to 71 per cent of people looking for a move, job security was important to 46 per cent, using clinical skills to 29 per cent, patient interaction to 26 per cent and training to 24 per cent. Sales was of least importance overall, being flagged up by only 4 per cent of survey respondents.
However, when asked what they enjoy most when doing the job, salary ranked fifth behind patient interaction, for 58 per cent of ECPs, using clinical skills for 41 per cent, dispensing spectacles for 29 per cent and job security for 23 per cent – the same rating as salary.
Meanwhile, fairness prevailed as the main expectation of workers in the optical sector, with 78 per cent of survey respondents prioritising this when asked what they expect from an employer. Having support was an expectation for 65 per cent and half expected their employer to provide further training. Flexible working was less of a consideration, with only 44 per cent rating this highly.
When it came to motivation, there was a dead heat between ‘being part of a team’, ‘learning new skills’, and ‘helping and managing the team’ – all major motivating factors for participants in the survey.
Meanwhile, when asked about providing enhanced services at a time when the NHS is looking to reduce the strain on secondary eye care services (see page 14), practitioners showed a willingness to get involved. Indeed, 49 per cent of optometrists in the Optician Workplace Survey said they have undertaken or are considering undertaking enhanced services.
Becoming an independent prescribing optometrist was a consideration for 28 per cent of optometrists in the survey. Ten per cent of dispensing opticians said they were considering a move into optometry but a total of 38 per cent were not considering extra training at all.
However, when asked about employer support, an overall 53 per cent believed their current employer was supportive of further training. This represented an 8 per cent improvement on last year’s figure and rises to 61 per cent of those employed within independent practices.
Winning loyalty
The 2014 survey also monitored the loyalty levels evident at high street optical practices. The average time respondents expected to stay with their current employer was six years, the same as in the previous year’s survey. Nearly half, or 48 per cent, were expecting to stay for more than five years in 2013, compared to 42 per cent of respondents this time around. According to the survey, 48 per cent of practitioners are either very interested or fairly interested in starting up their own practice or franchise.
Meanwhile, a total of 32 per cent of respondents have been promoted by their current employer, compared to 22 per cent at the same stage in 2013 – showing promotion prospects within optics appear to have improved.
Indeed, significantly more respondents in the latest survey, 23 per cent, rated their promotion opportunities within optics as very good or excellent. This figure compares to 17 per cent in the prior year. The hope of a promotion at current employers was even higher, at 25 per cent, this year. For each of these parameters there is more optimism among staff at multiple practices.
Participants were also asked when their last pay rise was, with 48 per cent enjoying a pay rise between 2013/14, compared to 32 per cent in the previous two year period.
However, 28 per cent have not had a pay rise with their current optical employer and more than half, 52 per cent, were not satisfied with their most recent pay rise.
In addition, a decline in job satisfaction suggests employers could be offering more to their staff. Overall, 50 per cent rated their position as perfect or very good, but this compares to 58 per cent in the 2013 survey. Satisfaction ratings were slightly higher among independents – with 9 per cent describing their job as perfect compared to 5 per cent at multiples.
Focus on the positives
Feedback from respondents showed spending time with patients, taking clinical responsibility, choosing new frames and influencing local pathways were the major positives of the job. Conversely, the negatives include red tape, NHS contracts, cost pressures and having to be too sales orientated, the research found.
That said, if they had the chance again it was found 61 per cent would enter the optical profession all over again while 63 per cent would recommend it to other people. Reasons cited for making this recommendation include making a difference to other people’s lives. ‘Because it gives you a wider knowledge about the orbital visual system, how it works, the diseases that affect the eye and how to give the appropriate treatment for it. Also being a competent optical professional adds more good and respectful qualities to you as a person,’ one independent optometrist said.
Nevertheless, there has been a 4 per cent slip in the three quarters of ECPs who intend to spend the rest of their career in optics. It means optical employers must continue to provide their workers with the challenges they thrive on.
David Martin, Specsavers head of partner recruitment for Europe, said: ‘The research is a great snapshot of the current optical employment marketplace, remuneration as ever scores highly as a key motivator but for true job satisfaction optical professionals consider patient care, development and opportunity as the hallmarks of an employer of choice.
‘At Specsavers, we put customer service and patient care at our forefront, whilst leading the way with clinical, professional and commercial development. From our industry leading pre-reg programme to our renowned Professional Advancement Conference, we have optometry development to suit everyone. Combine this with the opportunity to become a joint venture partner via Pathway and it is clear why optical professionals are choosing to work for Specsavers.’