SVQ Optical Practice Support SCQF level 7

The Certificate in Optical Practice Support at SCQF level 7 provides learners with a qualification that will demonstrate their aptitude in this area. This Certificate will develop the learner’s confidence and awareness of the skills that they have acquired which they can use for employment and/or further study.

This qualification covers areas such as assessing and measuring physical and optical properties and requirements, conducting routine optical screening procedures, managing customer service in an optical practice and managing an optical practice.

This qualification is available through employers, colleges and training providers.

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Why deliver this qualification

This Certificate enables learners to demonstrate both underpinning knowledge and performance evidence of competence in an optical support vocational area.

This qualification is based on the current version of National Occupational Standards, defined by the appropriate sector skills councils, Skills for Health.

The Certificate can be offered within a workplace environment. The evidence demonstrating achievement of the qualification can be assessed within a workplace environment or, where simulation is used, within a realistic working environment.

Who does this qualification suit

This Certificate is suitable for:

  • learners who may have just left school
  • mature candidates who may have been out of education for some time
  • individuals who are currently in employment and who wish to obtain a formal qualification
  • employers who wish their employees to obtain short, continuing professional development courses 

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre.

No prior qualifications are required to undertake this qualification, although experience in/knowledge of the subject would be an advantage.

Progression

The Certificate will provide candidates with the opportunity to build a career in optical practice with a range of future opportunities. It will give learners a clear progression path to further vocational/academic opportunities which could lead to Dispensing Optician status.

The level 7 award could provide progression to:

  • degree level study at a higher education institution
  • employment in the optometry sector, perhaps as a practice manager/supervisor

Approval

Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority will need to come forward for approval and should contact SQA’s Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA’s general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide. The specific delivery requirements are set out in the assessment strategy.

How to assess

Assessment of this award will be through a series of theoretical and practical assessments or tasks. Some assessments will be carried out under supervised open-book conditions; others under supervised closed-book conditions.

Where can you take this course?

Qualification content and delivery tools

Information about the qualification(s)

Qualification Structure

The Certificate in Optical Practice Support at SCQF level 7 consists of six mandatory units and one optional unit. Please refer to the Qualification Structure (44 KB) for details of the units making up this qualification.

National Occupational Standards

Unit information for this qualification is available on our Accredited Qualification Unit Search.

Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.

Modern Apprenticeships

This SVQ is a mandatory component in the Level 7 Modern Apprenticeship.

Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material

Assessment strategy

Assessor's guidelines

Candidate Guidance and Portfolio