Behind the DO scenes at Bill’s

Deborah with Esther and Jenna

ABDO vice president, Deborah Bill, went ‘behind the scenes’ recently at Bill Opticians in Newton Abbott to catch up with dispensing optician (DO) Jenna Holmes and student DO, Esther Tricker.

Meeting with the colleagues as part of ABDO’s centenary practice visits campaign, Deborah spent time discussing a range of topics with Jenna and Esther in relation to the dispensing optics profession – including their own career journeys.

Jenna has been a DO for 15 years, and obtained a first class degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University.

She explained that she initially worked as a receptionist at the practice: “Within about 18 months, I was encouraged to do the FBDO course by James Bill, who was a contact lens optician, and I did this via distance learning through ABDO College.”

Esther had already held different roles across healthcare and retail when she saw an optical assistant role advertised at the practice. She applied for the position because she “felt it would be a good fit”.

“After a few months, I was encouraged by the dispensing optician team here to study towards the diploma, and I am now in year one of the DO apprenticeship,” she said.

Deborah was keen to hear what developments Jenna had seen over the years.

“I’ve seen lots of changes over the past 20 years,” said Jenna, “especially within this practice. Initially, the optometrist would do everything – even recommend lenses to patients – so there was little involvement. Now we offer a complete DO service, as the team can see the value we bring.

“I used to be the only DO in the company – and now we have at least one in every practice. I have valued the work that ABDO has done to raise awareness of the role of the DO, and the extra experience and specialist knowledge we can bring to the practice.”

Outside the practice

On what she loved most about being a DO, Jenna said “variety in job role”.

“Being able to help people and the satisfaction with the patient being happy with vision and their image,” she explained. “It is lovely when a patient specifically requests to see you, and I even have patients travelling 50 plus miles to see me for dispensing as they know I will look after them. I love being a part of that. Many patients say they would never go anywhere else.”

For student DO Esther, it’s the connection with patients.

“They already trust me, even though I am a student – and that is very special, particularly when they are grateful when the dispense has made a difference,” she told Deborah.

On the benefits of ABDO membership, Jenna said she particularly valued “being part of a supportive network of equal understanding professionals. The access to online CPD and the Blue Light discount are also appreciated – and our Dispensing Optics journal is a great way to keep up-to-date.”

For Esther, ABDO Ophthalmic Lenses Online was already proving a very useful membership benefit: “I use it all the time,” she enthused.

Commenting after her practice visit, Deborah said: “It is a pleasure to visit practices that value the expertise that dispensing opticians bring to the team. As part of our 100 year celebrations, it is a privilege to be able to recognise local practices and their dispensing opticians’ dedication in focusing on patients’ needs. It was extra special that my first visit was to the practice founded by my mother and father-in-law in 1972.”

Find out more about ABDO’s centenary celebrations and how to get involved.