JUMP TO CONTENT

Make a difference as a Dispensing Optician at Specsavers

Written byNatassia Gunn
Posting date: 14 Apr 2025

Rachel Clarke was seven years old when she decided she wanted to be an optician. Why? Because her ultimate hero, her dad, who knew the answers to every question she ever asked, didn’t know how her glasses worked. That was it – the moment she decided her future career.  

At 16 years old, she went to work in her local opticians and, having never left the sector, she’s now heading into her 33rd year of practice as a Dispensing Optician. Rachel worked for another multiple optician for 18 years, there was a change to the way things were run there she was ready to move on. Having spotted a Specsavers being built around the corner from her home, she applied for a new job. They had already filled the Dispensing Optician role, but they were open to her joining the team due to her extensive experience and enthusiasm – and she’s still there now, nine years later, at Specsavers Llanishen, in the very same building.  

Putting the patient first 

“The patient is always the most important thing when it comes to doing my job,” says Rachel. “I needed to work somewhere where the business aligned with me on that. I wanted to spend more time with patients – and find the solution that works best for them, not necessarily the most expensive solution.”  

Rachel enjoys working at Specsavers because she’s trusted to work in a way that benefits the team and the individual patients. “I’ve got an exceptionally good working relationship with the Optometrists. I can bounce things off them when I’m stuck and likewise, they will come to me and ask questions too.” 

That goes for the wider team as well. Rachel’s branch is part of a larger cluster, with Dispensing Opticians and Optometrists who work at different stores. “You need a good rapport with your team – and it doesn’t matter if you’re answering the phones or you’re treating the most complicated patients, you’re all part of one team. We all work together at Specsavers.” 

Feeling recognised and rewarded  

Day-to-day colleagues are encouraged to recognise the work of others. “You’re not just a number here, you’re part of a team and you’re recognised as a human being who helps people,” says Rachel. There is a “shelf of praise”, so if you’ve done a great job, you can choose something as a reward, plus employees have customer recognition through a feedback form too. Then there’s the Doug and Mary award, named after the legendary Specsavers founders Mary and Doug Perkins. This award is given to employees who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to clinical care. Rachel was awarded the Dispensing Optician award in November 2024. 

“I was absolutely stunned into silence when I heard I’d won,” says Rachel. “It’s a phenomenal achievement. I went up to Birmingham for the award ceremony and there was a meal with Doug and Mary the night before and a beautiful hotel stay. It was really lovely, and my husband was able to join me to see me given the award. It means so much.” 

Looking to the future 

Throughout her Dispensing Optician career, Rachel has continued to learn and grow. She regularly hosts training sessions to impart her valuable knowledge to the rest of her team and she tailors the sessions so that her colleagues aren’t just listening to her but interacting and really understanding what they are learning about. “I want them to question me, because that means they’ve processed it. It’s a far better way of learning. And there are different levels of learning needs, so I’ll do different things with different people. Some learn better  one to one, and others visually,” explains Rachel. “The main thing is the sessions have to be fun!” 

Rachel’s advice to anyone considering a career at Specsavers? “Go for it. If it’s something you’re interested in, let us help you – let’s get you to the best you can physically be. If you need training, you’ve got the option. There’s always an option at Specsavers.”

Ready to join us?


When you come on board, we’ll help you expand your knowledge with professional certifications in areas like low vision and paediatric eye care. Our friendly and supportive environment encourages both personal and professional growth, and you can even explore our unique business ownership opportunities. 

We're one of the world's best workplaces – come find out why! 

Learn more
Written byNatassia Gunn
List #1

#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

Home is where the hearing is

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/11/2025

Summary

Home is where the hearing is Aekta Patel, Audiology Director, shares her perspective on the value of partnerships in delivering audiology care through home visits. "It’s a tough gig. But it’s wo

Teaser

Read more
From Bolton to Bristol - How Jumanah got her career moving

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/04/2025

Summary

Jumanah's journey with Specsavers is all about finding the right support and making the most of new opportunities. Despite a bumpy start, she flourished with the help of her amazing team and her own d

Teaser

Read more
From school leaver to Home Visits Director: Danielle's story

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/22/2025

Summary

From school leaver to Home Visits Director: A career built on care, growth, and support  When Danielle left school in 2005, she wasn’t entirely sure what her future would look like - but she k

Teaser

Read more
"I'm passionate that leadership is for everyone!"

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/08/2025

Summary

"I'm passionate that leadership is for everyone!"  In light of Learning at Work Week, Zoe Stebbings, Leadership Development Programme Manager for UK/ROI Retail, tells us about her career journey to

Teaser

Read more
"It's like watching light bulbs come on!"

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/08/2025

Summary

"It's like watching light bulbs come on!"  During Learning at Work Week 2025, Jenny Clifford, Global Learning Experience Design Lead, tells us why she loves learning and how Specsavers supports her

Teaser

Read more
"I wanted something bigger": Anna-Marie's story

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/02/2025

Summary

Born and raised in England, Anna-Marie moved to Northern Ireland at 18, unsure of her career path. She dabbled in painting and art, but it wasn’t until she took a receptionist role at an independent o

Teaser

Read more
From dispensing optician to being her own boss: Verity's story

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/28/2025

Summary

Verity's journey from a dedicated dispensing optician to a business owner at Specsavers shines a light on one of the several varied paths a DO (Dispensing Optician) could take with Specsavers. Here,

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Personal and professional growth: Amy's story

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/14/2025

Summary

Amy Griffiths, a dedicated Dispensing Optician at the Swansea Specsavers store, has a life that revolves around her passion for optics and her energetic collie, Aurora. "My life kind of really centres

Teaser

Read more
From Optics to Audiology: Kristi’s journey

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/09/2025

Summary

Kristi journey from optics to audiology is a reflection of her determination and passion for helping others. Initially working in the Redditch branch of Specsavers, Kristi was intrigued by a career

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Relocating from Nigeria to the UK: Chidinma's story

Teaser

International Careers

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/08/2025

Summary

A new beginning Chidinma Ulu is an Optometrist who relocated to Bristol from Nigeria back in 2021. She’s excited to share her journey, from her education in Nigeria to becoming a fully qualified Optom

Teaser

Read more
View more jobs
List #1

Selected jobs for you

Trainee Audiology Practitioner

Salary

£25,882

Location

Poole, South West & Channel Islands, United Kingdom

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Audiology Practitioner

Locations

Poole

Description

Want to help the nation hear clearer than ever? Well, as an Audiology Practitioner at Specsavers, you can work alongside your partners and colleagues to help more customers with their hearing, faster.

Reference

sf-82178-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Matthew Gubbin View job
Supervisor

Salary

From £14 per hour (dependent on experience)

Location

Kenilworth, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Retail Supervisor

Locations

Kenilworth

Description

SupervisorSpecsavers KenilworthAre you a motivated team leader with an eye for detail wanting to bring your skills to a global, difference-making company? You’ve come to the right place.  As long as y

Reference

sf-82872-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Amy Hill

Author

Amy Hill
Amy Hill

Author

Amy Hill
View job
Dispensing Optician / Dispensing Optician Manager

Salary

Up to £32,000 depending on experience + bonus

Location

Brixham, South West & Channel Islands, United Kingdom

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Dispensing Optician

Locations

Brixham

Description

Whether you’ve just qualified or already have experience and looking for a new challenge, our Dispensing Optician role could be just right for you. We are also open to a Dispensing Optian manager for

Reference

sf-81760-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

View job
View more jobs