Practitioners often sample a number of environments before finding their best fit.
As Deepak Oberai, an optometrist with experience of working for multiples and independents, says: ‘There are advantages and disadvantages to working for both, so it makes sense to get experience of each area.’
Indeed, ask the majority of practitioners what they most like about working for an independent and they are likely to say it is the close relationships they forge with their patients.
Independents often offer longer appointments than multiples – partly due to having a smaller patient base – enabling them to perform a thorough test.
Oberai’s independent practice Albert Road Opticians in Wilmslow offers a 45 minute eye test, which enables the team to find out about patients’ lifestyles, tailor products to their needs and build rapport.
Oberai recently sent a cake to a customer on her 60th birthday while others have received food hampers, wine and even locally sourced jam as gifts. ‘It makes me feel human to build a good connection with our customers and it offers them the wow factor,’ he says.
Independents are also more likely to accommodate more complex prescriptions than multiples. ‘We were very happy to source and provide -10 varifocals for a recent customer – This wouldn’t usually happen at a multiple,’ says Oberai.
Oberai describes working at a multiple as a ‘nine to five job’ and working at an independent as a ‘lifestyle’ choice. ‘The team gets involved in every aspect of running the practice, whereas at multiples people tend to take responsibility for their area of work only.’
Independents also have the freedom to create their own unique brand and style. Oberai and his team regularly visit trade shows to learn about trends and to see exciting new eyewear, while the practice, which features reclaimed wooden floors, minimalist frame displays and even an old typewriter, recently scooped Fashion Practice of the Year at the Optician Awards.
Deepak Oberai
Strength in numbers
Multiple practices have the heavyweight advantage of providing excellent resources, large supportive teams to learn from and the excitement of a fast-paced working environment.
‘It’s definitely busy in a retail store environment,’ says Claire Morris, a senior optometrist at Specsavers in Cambridge. ‘I enjoy being part of a team, which includes optometrists and other professionals as it’s always useful to share opinions and helps us improve the way we manage patient care,’ she says, adding: ‘Working as a sole practitioner can be quite isolating, but you don’t get that in a larger store.’
Morris, who has previous experience of working in other multiples as well as independent practices, says that there are always opportunities within Specsavers to take on more responsibilities whether that be getting involved in the day-to-day aspects of the business, or through enhanced services or working towards becoming a director.
Salaries are structured and reviewed periodically, with a bonus share in place to reward performance.
‘Getting on board with EOS makes the day more interesting and more varied and challenging clinically, more than just doing routine eye examinations,’ says Morris. ‘The culture is great at Specsavers and opportunities for development and career progression are vast.’ For those in the midst of their studies or eyeing their next career move, Morris adds that now is a really great time to join.
‘The investment in technology at Specsavers is really impressive, from the phoropters, which make the eye test quicker and more accurate to the latest OCT technology, enabling you to more accurately determine whether to refer or monitor patients,’ she adds.
Supermarket sweep
Supermarket opticians are popular with customers due to their convenient location within stores and offering low cost tests and frames.
‘Working for Asda means you are part of a large, diverse team who help their customers save money and live better,’ he says. ‘We benefit from a high level of footfall in our stores and can utilise other areas of the store to raise awareness of our optical departments. Many of our stores also have pharmacies, which means our patients can be cared for by professionals that support each other using their own personal skills.’
Lyle, who joined Asda Opticians in May 2011 after 10 years at Black and Lizars Optometrists, says that he was ‘immediately impressed by Asda’s commitment to the highest possible standards of clinical excellence and customer service.’
He says that staff are supported throughout Asda’s training programme with a culture that ‘ensures colleagues are empowered to develop their skills and ask for support when it is required’.
A well-organised appointment diary system using a pre-screening procedure ensures the working day is ‘predictable and enjoyable’, he says, while its annual conference ensures employees keep up-to-date with CET requirements, including peer review.
Lyle scooped Asda’s Optometrist of the Year award in 2014 and joined the compliance team, which he says has given him an appreciation of the work behind the scenes to ensure the relevance and accuracy of policies and procedures, auditing and computer software.
‘The role has allowed me to develop my leadership, communication and time management skills,’ he says. ‘My experience as an Asda optometrist has been a pleasurable one and I am as enthusiastic and excited for the future as I was on my first day.’
Help at home
Practitioners who prefer the idea of getting ‘out and about’ to test eyes and dispense frames and are drawn to the challenge of helping patients with unique mobility and financial circumstances, need look no further than domiciliary eye care.
Koasha joined Specsavers’ Healthcall team three years ago. ‘There’s a good mix between the clinical and retail environment,’ he says. ‘You get to help people who really appreciate what you do.’ As well as carrying out a slightly different test using different equipment, he says practitioners have to manage their own time. ‘You are given a list of patients to visit each day and you have to make sure you see them all,’ he says.
The increasing demand for domiciliary care provides plenty of opportunities for career advancement from becoming a partner to setting up a new business.
‘I’m now in an office-based role giving our domiciliary clinics more structure and room to grow as they become more frequently requested,’ she says. ‘Domiciliary clinics can be very rewarding, you can get the chance to help someone who really welcomes assistance with their eye care. It can also take its toll emotionally, seeing patients with many different medical conditions and living situations. On a lighter note – wear trousers. You may be measuring, adjusting and dispensing your patient at all angles, not just seated at a desk as in practice.’