A peek inside... Duncan and Todd Opticians & Hearing Care, Peterhead

What is your role?

Trainee dispensing optician.

What do you recall from your first week in practice?

It was slightly hectic and nerve-wracking. I started just before Christmas of 2017, so the branch and the town had a busy vibe to it. The first week consisted of initial inductions along with learning the basics of the daily tasks of the reception desk, as this is where I started. The different members of the team all kept me on track as I came into the practice with no previous experience in optics. This was extremely handy as everyone could do a bit of everything, so I was never stuck to find someone close by to help. I remember thinking the place ran like a well-oiled machine with all the different roles and how it all came together.

How do you see your role in the patient’s journey?

To ensure the patients' needs are met. I am there to give them the information they need, or to be able to pass them to someone more suitable, to make decisions on things from eye health all the way to which frames suit and fit them the best. My role in the journey is different for every patient, adapting to their individual needs.

What do you love most about your practice?

The team that I work with. As I work full-time, I spend five days a week and eight hours a day with our team, which is a fair amount of time.

What is your favourite moment of the day?

Helping someone pick a frame that they love.

What is one thing you have learnt from someone in your team?

To stay calm when the day has been slightly hectic. Not everything can be done in the same day, even though it is nice to have all the daily jobs ticked off.

My role in the journey is different for every patient, adapting to their individual needs

If you could help your community understand one thing about eye care, what would you say?

The need for regular eye examinations. I think it is very easy for people to associate coming to the practice as being for those who are having issues seeing, whereas the prescription part of the examination is usually a very small part of their visit. There are so many health checks involved that can give indications to eye and general health conditions, which can be documented for us to treat and to monitor.

What is your next goal?

Becoming fully qualified as a dispensing optician. I am in my third year now with the finish line getting closer and closer.

How does your practice support each colleague’s wellbeing?

Continuing to expand our knowledge on things such as products and treatments that the patients contacting us would benefit from.

If you could have one wish for the practice, what would it be?

To be located on the sunny side of the street – for the three days a year the sun makes an appearance.

If you had an unofficial title in practice, what would it be?

“The chatter box” most likely. I'm forever asking way too many questions if there is a quiet minute, or singing whatever is on the radio... badly!