Pre-registration Optometrist Jobs

By choosing Boots Opticians for your career, you will have the opportunity to enhance your clinical skills and patient care, while continuing to learn through a mix of online education and face to face training. See what’s possible when you start your career as a Pre-registration Optometrist with Boots.

This programme starts in late July/early August each year and you’ll work with us full-time for at least one year whilst completing assessments run by the College of Optometrists. On successful completion of your final OSCE exams you will be eligible for registration as an Optometrist with the GOC. We’ll then guarantee you an Optometrist role with us.

Optometry Degree (achieving at least a 2:2)
1 Year
Various locations across the UK

You’ll need be studying on a new-style Master of Optometry degree, and this programme will happen towards the end of your course. These undergraduate placements are part of the updated Education & Training Requirements (ETR) published by the GOC. You’ll have assessments run by the College of Optometrists throughout CLiP, before final exams with your University. On graduation, you’ll become eligible for registration with the GOC, and we’ll then guarantee you an Optometrist role with us.

Studying towards Master of Optometry degree
1 year
Various locations across the UK

Working part time in a clinical setting can both support you in your learning at university and set you up for success once you move onto longer placements.

Various locations across the UK

This programme starts in late July/early August each year and you’ll work with us full-time for at least one year whilst completing assessments run by the College of Optometrists. On successful completion of your final OSCE exams you will be eligible for registration as an Optometrist with the GOC. We’ll then guarantee you an Optometrist role with us.

Optometry Degree (achieving at least a 2:2)
1 Year
Various locations across the UK

You’ll be working in store with your Opticians team, under the guidance of one of our clinical supervisors. You’ll be getting to know your patients in the consulting room whilst performing eye examinations and contact lens checks, as well as dispensing them with glasses and contact lenses that suit their needs. You’ll continue learning through online modules, working with your Supervisor, and attending learning workshops with our Professional Capability team. You’ll have a personal Learning & Development Specialist for advice and develop a network of Pre-reg Optometrists from Boots stores in your area and across the UK.

We are looking for individuals who have a natural ability to work as part of a team to deliver excellent care and service to our patients. You will be seen by others as a future leader and demonstrate that you are an innovative and forward-thinking optical expert.

You’ll need to have completed an Optometry degree with at least 2:2 to enrol onto this programme.

Your course will have a mix of clinical support, personal development and assessment preparation throughout the Scheme for Registration delivered through a mix of virtual and face-to-face practical workshops, as well as online modules. More intensive support is available when needed from your dedicated Learning & Development Specialist. This is all in addition to your time in-store focusing on optical skills with your Supervisor.

At Boots Opticians we know how important your continued development is, so you are automatically enrolled onto our 18-month Foundation Optometrist Programme when you qualify. You can gain MECS accreditation, develop clinical and leadership skills further as well as achieving CPD points.

You’ll need be studying on a new-style Master of Optometry degree, and this programme will happen towards the end of your course. These undergraduate placements are part of the updated Education & Training Requirements (ETR) published by the GOC. You’ll have assessments run by the College of Optometrists throughout CLiP, before final exams with your University. On graduation, you’ll become eligible for registration with the GOC, and we’ll then guarantee you an Optometrist role with us.

Studying towards Master of Optometry degree
1 year
Various locations across the UK

You’ll be working in store with your Opticians team, under the guidance of one of our clinical supervisors four days per week whilst studying on the fifth day for around one year. You’ll be getting to know your patients in the consulting room whilst performing eye examinations and contact lens checks, as well as dispensing them with glasses and contact lenses that suit their needs. In addition to your University learning day, we’ll support you through online modules and workshops with our Professional Capability team. You’ll have a personal Learning & Development Specialist for advice and develop a network of Pre-reg Optometrists from Boots Opticians stores in your area and across the UK.

You’ll need be studying on a new-style Master of Optometry degree, and this programme will happen towards the end of your course.

We are looking for individuals who have a natural ability to work as part of a team to deliver excellent care and service to our patients. You will be seen by others as a future leader and demonstrate that you are an innovative and forward-thinking optical expert.

This programme starts in late January or late July/early August depending on your University course structure.

Your course will be delivered through a mix of virtual and face-to-face workshops, as well as online modules. More intensive support is available when needed from your dedicated Learning & Development Specialist. This is all additional to the in-store time focusing on optical skills with your Supervisor.

At Boots Opticians we know how important your continued development is, so you are automatically enrolled onto our 18-month Foundation Optometrist Programme when you qualify. You can gain MECS accreditation, develop clinical and leadership skills further as well as achieving CPD points.

Working part time in a clinical setting can both support you in your learning at university and set you up for success once you move onto longer placements.

Various locations across the UK

We have a number of Optical Support roles across our Boots Opticians stores including Optical Consultants and Opticians Retail Assistants. We encourage all Optometry students to look at our latest part time opportunities on www.boots.jobs where you can also register for job alerts.

Search jobs

Your learning and development

Our Professional Capability team are experts in providing the right courses for our Pre-registration Optometrists. Our learners perform above the national average at OSCEs, with an 80%* pass rate. Our courses are designed and run by experienced College Assessors and Examiners, who have both supervision and store leadership experience, so you’re in good hands!

Throughout your Pre-registration year you’ll be mentored by your dedicated in-store supervisor and given unique access to a suite of industry-leading learning resources.

*at August 2024

Application

Scheme for Registration Placements

To be considered for a Boots Pre Reg placement, you will need to apply online. On application, you will be asked to provide your student GOC number and your top location preferences which we will use to help determine store locations that may be suitable for you. Candidates that select a variety of locations will have a better chance of securing a placement.

Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) Programmes

You will apply through the CLiP portal, links to this will be provided by your university.

If you have any questions, you can contact us at opticians.recruitment.programmes@boots.co.uk

Assessment

Scheme for Registration Placements

As part of your application, you will be required to complete a short online assessment to measure how well your current skills and behaviours match ours, this should take around 20 minutes to complete and will be used to prioritise your application when arranging interviews.

Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) Programmes

Your application will be shortlisted against the answers given to the application questions.

Once you have completed your application on the college portal, you will receive a short online assessment to complete to measure how well your current skills and behaviours match ours. This should take around 20 minutes to complete and will be used to shortlist your application to interview stage.

Interview

Scheme for Registration Placements

Once we have matched your application to a suitable location, we will then invite you to meet a member of our team for a competency-based interview which should last no more than an hour. In most cases, we will arrange a face-to-face interview however virtual interviews may be considered if required.

Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) Programmes

If you are successful after the shortlisting process, you will be invited to an interview in store. This will be a competency-based interview.

In most cases, we arrange a face-to-face interview, as it provides the best opportunity for you to experience the store
environment.

If needed, we’re open to consider virtual interviews under extenuating circumstances.

Offer

Scheme for Registration Placements

Once we have completed all interviews, our store teams will then decide on which candidates they wish to offer a Pre-reg placement.

Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) Programmes

If successful, your offers will be sent through the portal.

At Boots Opticians we pride ourselves on providing care and development to all of our colleagues in a diverse and inclusive workplace. As a Pre-registration Optometrist you will have the chance to build meaningful relationships with patients and communities in which we are based.

At Boots Opticians, our first-time pass rate in August 2024 was 80%, higher than the national average. We believe that by giving you access to industry-leading development, we’ll not only help you pass your final exams but also become a confident Optometrist your customer will keep coming back to.

Your continued development is important to us. You will be enrolled into our 12 month programme-ELEVATE for newly qualified clinicians which has been built to boost your confidence, strengthen your clinical skills, and support your transition into practice – helping you deliver outstanding care and thrive as part of the Boots Opticians team.

Everyday is an opportunity to improve my clinical skills and empower patients to make informed choices around their eye care and glasses.

- Khelis, Dispensing Optician

Read Khelis story

It was very reassuring to have had many options available and I was supported fully in what was best for me at the time.

- Sandeep, Optometrist

Read Sandeeps story.

I see myself taking a career pathway into an Area Manager or Clinical Governance role, as it is my dream to also guide the future generations of clinicians to deliver the best care for patients.

- Sachin, Pre-registration Optometrist

Read Sachins story

Meet our Professional Capability Team

Our team are experts in providing the right courses for our Pre-registration Optometrists, working closely with Universities and the College of Optometrists to ensure you get the very best support. Our team includes Optometrists, Contact Lens and Dispensing Opticians as well as College Assessors, Examiners and previous Store Leaders, with the right experience and knowledge to guide you through your learning journey.

Yes, we encourage all Optometry students to look at our latest part time opportunities on www.boots.jobs. You can also register for job alerts and when a role that matches your requirements becomes available we’ll let you know.

Last year we offered over 95% of our Pre-registration Optometrists a Newly qualified position. If you perform well and successfully pass your registration exam then we’ll aim to give you a newly qualified offer

For your Pre-registration training you’ll be based in a store chosen to give you a breadth and depth of experience; supported by experienced supervisors and Pre-registration Specialists.

To apply for a pre-registration place you can apply through Boots.jobs by using the search function.

The scheme for registration will last for 12 months

You will need to be currently studying or have graduated from university with a degree in Optometry. We also ask that students meet a minimum grade of 2:2 in order to be admitted to our pre-registration programme.

You can contact us by email on Opticians.Recruitment.Programmes@boots.co.uk

Pre-registration Optometrist Jobs

Programmes

Your learning and development