Welcome to my webpage detailing some of my background with the Optical Industry and some details about my newly-established locum Dispensing Optician service within the South of England, available from January 2025.
I am a qualified Dispensing Optician with over 30 years of optical experience having held various positions since first becoming an optical assistant for an independent optician on the Isle of Wight at the age of 19. My journey to becoming a qualified Dispensing Optician has seen me in a number of different roles on the way, working as an Optical Assistant, Optical Dispenser, Store Trainer and Store Manager. Having returned to further education later in life I was delighted to pass my final qualifying examinations in 2014, achieving a first class honours in Ophthalmic Dispensing alongside my Fellowship Diploma with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians. I was also fortunate enough to be awarded the National Eyecare Group Optinet Prize for the best presented Pre-Qualification Portfolio in the Final Qualifying Examinations.
This is me receiving that prize at my graduation in Canterbury Cathedral.
During my career, I have gained experience of working for both independent optical practices and for a larger multiple optical group, and my previous positions have made me adaptable to working in both high street practices and larger city centre stores.
My previous position of Store Trainer whilst working for Rayner Opticians in West Yorkshire has allowed me to gain experience of moving between different locations within the region and often meant I was working with a diverse demographic of clientele on a day to day basis and within practices adopting a varied approach in their dispensing styles.
My appointment as a Practice Manager whilst working with Rayner Opticians further allowed me to gain insight into the importance of attaining good AOV and conversion rates in order to meet KPI objectives. This is something I have remained mindful of ever since even when returning to independent practice.
I would say that my greatest attribute as a Dispensing Optician is my ability to adopt a friendly, personal and professional approach and I very much value the importance of a good customer journey for the best possible patient experience. I feel that my vast experience means I am able to offer a wide ranging skill-set as a locum Dispensing Optician allowing me to maximise good outcomes for the practice which employs me, whilst also giving the highest level of customer service coupled with the delivery of best practice and best patient-centred care.
“Amanda has worked for us at Willetts and Doig in Cowes for over 14 years, starting as an optical assistant with managerial skills (from her previous role). She then undertook the part-time DO course and achieved a first from Canterbury. She has always been great with the patients, really tries to understand what they need their glasses for and understands the importance of ADV and how KPIs work. She has always been a real asset to our business and we are sure she will be to yours…..”
