Optical Customer Services:

Optical Customer Service
Level 2 Distance Learning

The Level 2 Certificates in Optical Customer Service are designed for customer-facing staff in:

• Spectacle manufacturers
• Prescription houses
• Contact lens manufacturers
• Optical practices

The courses

These are one-year distance learning courses, which starts in October and February each year. Students are allocated a personal tutor, and work through a series of assignments at their own pace. There are no fixed times for study, but students typically find that they need a few hours each week. Workshop support is available for larger groups of students

The learning outcomes

There are two versions of the Certificate in Optical Customer Service. Units 1-3 are the same for both versions; unit 4 focuses on either spectacle or contact lenses. There is also a unit 5 for the spectacles version. The learning outcomes for each unit, together with the number of credits under the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is as follows

• Unit 1: Responsibilities in optics (3 credits)
  Roles and responsibilities of people working in optical practice; health care and professional bodies; how the industry works
• Unit 2: Communication in optical customer service (6 credits)
  Skills required for effective communication in optical customer service; communication methods; how to achieve excellent customer service in optics
• Unit 3: The eye and ametropia (8 credits)
  Key terms used in optics; anatomy of the eye; how the eye focuses light from an object; how to interpret optical prescriptions; pathology of the eye; use of refractive surgery to correct vision

Spectacles

• Unit 4: Supporting the provision of spectacle lenses in optical practice
  Optics of spectacle lenses; types of spectacle lenses; protective eyewear; other special spectacle lenses; manufacture of spectacle lenses; coating and tinting; optical centres, PDs and centration in the dispensing of spectacle lenses; the importance of prisms
• Unit 5: Supporting the provision of spectacle frames in optical practice (7 credits)
  Materials used in frames; how frames are constructed; British and European standarsds; helping patients or customers choose frames

Contact Lenses

• Unit 4: Supporting the provision of contact lenses in optical practice (7 credits)
  Contact lens design; materials used; wearing modalities; alternative replacement programmes; aftercare; how to manage customers who have not complied with contact lens care regimes

A qualification to suit you

The Level 2 Certificate develops the skill, expertise and knowledge that are vital in the modern day optical environment. You may already have many of these accomplishments, but this certificate is an effective way of building on them to enhance both your value to the practice and your career prospects, and to demonstrate your competence to others.

How much does it cost?

All course fees are met by an affordable one off payment.

How do I enrol?

Simply complete the application form below, enclose your cheque and send to the WCSM Education Trust. If your employer has agreed to pay your fees, please ensure that their details are completed in full along with an authorised signature.

Application Form
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