Applications for the Scotland Level 5 and 7 Certificates in Optical Care have opened for employers.
The course, delivered by Insight Optical Training, has been designed to provide optical assistants (OAs) with the skills and knowledge to provide eye care and has been funded by the optometry division of NHS Education Scotland to reduce cost for employers. Employers would be charged £200 for a Level 5 course, or £250 for a Level 7 course, per employee.
The Level 5 course has been designed as an entry-level qualification, explained Insight Optical’s director of training, Anthony Blackman. He added that the Level 7 course was more challenging and functioned as a progression course for those who had passed Level 5.
'Despite the pandemic, we had really good feedback from our 2020 learners and have made several updates to the training materials to make sure that they remain engaging, relevant and up-to-date,' explained Blackman.
A statement explained the course would begin in April and end in December 2021. Insight Optical Training added that the course fee included course materials, three workshops and the assessment, alongside a range of online resources.