OPTICAL EDUCATION
Never stop
learning
ABDO COLLEGE’S SUPPORT STAFF COURSES are great for staff development – and business building too, writes Steve Hertz
relevant to the tasks a senior optical assistant will do in practice. Student and employer feedback is a key driver in how we develop courses and it is clear that a one-year course to develop candidates with an existing working knowledge of optical practice will be very useful. As with the introductory OA course, students are assigned a personal tutor, and work through weekly assignments, receiving the support of ABDO College webinars, advice and guidance from their personal tutor and the college support team.
INSPIRING OTHERS As well as applying what they learn in practice, staff on ABDO College courses can share what they are learning with the whole practice team, inspiring others and ensuring that everyone improves their skills and knowledge. Students who complete the OA or SOA course will be accepted onto the FBDO programme. For students who want to enhance their skills in smaller steps, following the OA course with the SOA course as a one-year programme provides a great solution.
As a business owner and manager, you know that you never stop learning. Running a practice brings new challenges every day, and over the last few months, you will have faced more challenges than usual. While the world of optics is adapting to a new way to work, it is worth looking at your plans for learning for your staff team too. Staff training is key to growing your business. From the moment the very newest optical assistant or receptionist joins the team, they are on a steep learning curve. They will need to learn about how your business works, as well as develop their knowledge of optical terms and equipment. The more your team develop their knowledge and skills, the more they bring to your business. And each team member benefits too, in terms of job satisfaction and the feeling that they have a clear path to develop their career. It can be easy to let staff training slip during challenging times, which is why ABDO College’s Optical Assistant (OA) and Senior Optical Assistant (SOA) courses are an ideal way to ensure that your support staff continue to develop their knowledge and skills. Your staff member will have a module to study each week, and every module has been created with practical application in practice in mind.
FOCUS ON PATIENT CARE The introductory OA training course was launched last September with more than
Help develop staff’s knowledge and skills
120 students completing the course over the first two intakes. This course covers the eye, spectacle lenses, frames, contact lenses and legal requirements. What’s more, there is also the chance to take part in an optional workshop on spectacle repairs and screening. On completion, your staff member will be better equipped to answer questions, solve problems and ensure that every patient gets the appropriate eyecare and eyewear from the right person in the practice team.
Study with ABDO College provides the perfect pathway for you to build your team in-house. This brings benefits of staff loyalty, and a patient base who knows and likes your highly skilled team. New for this year, ABDO College is making payment plans available for all courses. This allows you to spread the cost of payment over a period of six months to help with cash flow.
OAs who have been with you for some time will benefit from the SOA course, which has a more in-depth approach to the topics covered. Updated for 2020, the course content has been refined to make it more ABDO College’s OA courses can lead on to FBDO qualification
NEW FROM ABDO CMI-accredited management qualifications ABDO management and leadership training, accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), is a great
way to turn informal learning and management skills into a recognised qualification. Study online to get a recognised Level 5 qualification. Find out more and apply for the Continuing Improvement Certificate by 21 August. Visit www.abdo.org.uk/MLT
To find out more, visit www.abdocollege.org.uk/courses or email info@abdocollege.org.uk Steve Hertz FBDO is head of operations at ABDO College. Vision Now AUGUST 2020
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