When people decide to work at Specsavers, they’re joining a company with a purpose to change lives through better sight and hearing – hence why more Australians and New Zealanders choose the optometry provider over any other.
As one of the largest employers in the ANZ optometry sector, Insight sits down with an employee each month to hear about their growth trajectory within the company.
Specsavers stats
Name: Jacqueline Bell
Current position: Supervisor/in-store trainer and optical dispenser
Location: Mill Park
Years within the business: 7
Why did you pursue a dispensing career?
I saw it as a role that blends healthcare, customer service and fashion, which have always been my interests. It would enable me to directly contribute to improving people’s vision and quality-of-life. Also, I enjoy working with people so a role that allows me to interact with customers and create positive experiences is something I was looking for.
How did you come to work at Specsavers?
I saw Specsavers as an organisation that offered great professional growth and training opportunities and also focuses on a collaborative work environment. I value being a member of a team that is always looking to help other team members. Specsavers also stays abreast of technological advancements in eyecare which is important to me.
What growth opportunities have presented themselves?
I’ve been fortunate to have some incredible growth opportunities. I started as an optical assistant in 2017 and gradually moved up the ladder, first as a supervisor and then as an in-store trainer. Each step allowed me to expand my skills and take on more responsibilities, which was really rewarding. One of the biggest milestones was completing my Cert IV in Optical Dispensing. Not only did it give me a deeper understanding of the industry, but graduating at the top of my class was a huge confidence boost. Now, I’m focusing on two exciting paths: the Manager Ascent Program and achieving Level Gold certification in In-Store Trainer. These opportunities not only push me to grow professionally but also allow me to contribute more to the team and company. Overall, I’m grateful for the chances to develop and progress in my career at Specsavers. It’s been a journey of learning and improvement, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.
What is your most interesting dispensing case?
One of the most memorable cases involved a patient who had recently experienced a brain injury. Communicating with them was challenging because they found it difficult to maintain a conversation. Our goal was to find the right type of lenses to address their needs, but it wasn’t straightforward. We knew that traditional progressive lenses wouldn’t be suitable due to the patient’s limited mobility and communication abilities. So, I took the time to talk slowly and patiently with them, trying to understand their needs as best I could. Working closely with the optometrists, we brainstormed ideas and eventually came up with a unique solution: to go with a lens that provided a balance between distance and intermediate vision in the top half, while the bottom half was optimised for reading. This way, they could access the different prescriptions within the lens without needing full mobility. When the patient finally received their new glasses, their gratitude was overwhelming. It was incredibly rewarding to see how much of a difference our solution made in their day-to-day life. Moments like these remind me why I love what I do.
What excites you most about turning up for work each day?
What truly excites me is the chance to make a difference, not only for our patients but also for my team and helping them with their growth in the business. Helping patients is my passion. Whether it’s guiding them to find the ideal frames or sorting out their vision issues, every interaction presents an opportunity to brighten someone’s day. Knowing that I contribute to enhancing someone’s vision and overall wellbeing makes it all worth it.
More reading
Specsavers Stories – Briana Tsang
Specsavers Stories – Tina Ngan
Specsavers Stories – Hammill Prasawat
