Volunteer dispensing optician, Edinburgh

Job title

Volunteer dispensing optician, Edinburgh

Job description

Dispensing Optician

Commitment: 5 hours up to 20 hours per month
Do you want to help people experiencing homelessness in Edinburgh see a brighter future?
Are you passionate about delivering excellent patient/client care?
Do you want to be part of an amazing like-minded team? Then we want to hear from you!

Who We Are

At VCHP, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality vision care and glasses, regardless of their circumstances. We’re a small UK charity dedicated to providing essential vision care services to people experiencing homelessness. Through our network of clinics, we offer free sight tests and prescription glasses, helping to improve the vision and overall well-being of those in need.

Why We Need You Now

Our clinics rely entirely on the dedication of volunteers like you. With VCHP’s ambitious plans for clinic expansion, the role of the Dispensing Optician is more crucial than ever. Your passion, care, and commitment will directly impact the provision of essential vision care services to vulnerable individuals and those experiencing homelessness in your local community.

What’s Involved

As a DO, you’ll play a vital role alongside fellow volunteers in running a brand new VCHP clinic located within the Crisis Skylight Building in Edinburgh. Here, with your help, individuals experiencing homelessness can access free sight tests and glasses. A trained Optometrist will conduct the sight tests, while you and the clinic assistant will welcome and register patients, assist with electronic forms, and guide them in selecting glasses. With training, you’ll also handle tasks such as ordering, training clinic assistants and conducting feedback surveys with patients.

Commitment

This is a clinic-based role that requires a regular commitment of at least one half-day clinic per month, although some volunteers choose to contribute on a weekly basis. You’ll typically devote a minimum of 5 hours per month to this role.

Some more details…

Activities

As Dispensing Optician at your local VCHP Clinic you’ll be:

Assisting an Optometrist: Helping to deliver sight tests and glasses to people experiencing homelessness. Delivering great patient care: Giving our clients exceptional service, ensuring they feel comfortable, welcome, respected and listened to.
Providing glasses: Helping the patient to choose glasses and facilitating team liaison to ensure the Clinic Team maintains control and oversight of clinic operations, identifying any development or support needs to enhance service delivery.
Undertaking housekeeping duties: In quieter times in the clinic you, will complete admin tasks to ensure the smooth running of the clinic.

Who You’ll Work With:

Local Clinic Team: You’ll collaborate closely with your fellow volunteers in your local VCHP Clinic Team, fostering a supportive and cohesive team environment. There is a mix of roles including, Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians, a Clinic Manager, a Local Partnerships Coordinator and a Local Team Lead.
Our Beneficiaries: You’ll liaise directly with people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness.
Local Community: You’ll engage with your local community to build relationships, raise awareness, and garner support for our clinic services and charitable mission.

Support and Training

You’ll undertake a comprehensive induction programme including online and face-to-face training.
We’ll place you with an experienced volunteer at the start of your journey and ensure that you’re supported by the VCHP central staff team, and your local clinic team, so that you are fully confident in undertaking your role.

Skills and Characteristics Needed

Empathy for our charitable mission and the people we serve Initiative, flexibility, and proactivity
Great communication skills, both written and verbal Competent IT skills
Good organisational skills A ‘can do’ positive attitude
In summary, you’ll be a friendly and organised person with great social skills, allowing our clients to feel comfortable and looked after throughout their time with us.

Business website

Vision Care for Homeless People

Working hours

Mondays 9.00-2.30

Closing date for applications

2024-08-01