An optometric practice can be an intimidating environment at the best of times. Initially it will look like utter chaos. Calls have to be taken, patients have to be attended to, payments received, medical aids phoned, appointments scheduled and a whole horde of other duties performed whilst appearing calm and in control. This course is aimed at providing you with the skills and knowledge to deal with this situation in a confident manner. By improving your knowledge base you will enable yourself to handle any situation and enjoy your chosen career.

It is amazing how a business can operate without properly trained staff. Poor service, rude and inefficient personnel seem to be the standard. How often have you stood in front of someone waiting to be attended to while they carry on with a private call, reading a magazine or eating their lunch? Ever noticed how an entire person can hide behind a phone?

What draws a person back to a specific practice? An environment where they feel welcome, important and above all where they are treated by professionals.

Always remember that it is stressful to be in an unfamiliar environment - people are scared of the unknown, and YOU have to reassure them and make them feel comfortable. They should view their eye care professional as a personal friend. Turn the appointment into a pleasant and fun experience. People enjoy going back to their favourite haunts with family and friends make the visit to the optometrist one of these.

With this course emphasis will be placed on professional etiquette, product information, visual aberrations, diseases of the eye, different personality types and how to deal with them, frame styling and sales.

You are on the front line and without efficient and professional reception staff no practice can be successful.