FBDO diploma and contact lens lecturers

ABDO College vacancy: FBDO diploma and contact lens lecturers

About us

ABDO College (Association of British Dispensing Opticians), established in 2001, is a sector leader in delivering blended learning education. Our mission is to advance the optical profession through the provision of high quality, innovative education and training. Our vision is to deliver sector-leading education as the specialist training provider of choice for all aspects of optical education.

Our values of respect, collaboration and commitment to our learners and colleagues are at the heart of everything we do. We are widely recognised as a centre of educational excellence and have raised the standards in optical education across the whole profession. We teach a range of programmes from optical assistant access courses through to degree level and beyond. We have recently launched our higher-level apprenticeship route to the FBDO diploma.

Our in-person teaching primarily takes place at our stunning training facility in Kent, which also has accommodation facilities for students and staff, if needed. The College, which is the centrepiece of the Godmersham Park estate, lies within 1,000 acres of beautiful Kent countryside situated between Ashford and Canterbury. We also teach in person in Birmingham.

About the role

We are looking for full-time and part-time lecturers to join our growing teaching team across both our FBDO Diploma and Contact Lens Diploma programmes. We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds. These roles would suit those with a strong sector knowledge (DO, Contact Lens and/or Optometry) who have a passion for training and supporting others.

Our PT posts would suit those who want to balance working in practice with developing the profession overall.  Our PT posts are available from 0.2fte and offer different working patterns: from designated days per week or as more intense periods of teaching when students are taught in person. We will work with you to ensure the best balance.

About you

You will be enthusiastic about all aspects of ophthalmic dispensing. You will be able to effectively use your knowledge, skills and experience of best practice to contribute to the theoretical and practical skills teaching of our programmes. These will include designing high quality teaching materials for delivery in small and large group teaching sessions, marking work and carrying out auditing processes. An ability to communicate complex information, meet deadlines and IT literacy are essential for this role.

We value lifelong learning and will invest in you through the provision of both formal and informal training. You will have a personal mentor from the College academic team who will support you throughout the academic year, as well as your programme leader and line manager. If you don’t already have a teaching qualification then we will support you to gain this, with the fees paid by ABDO College.

Full job descriptions:

Contact lens lecturer 

FBDO diploma lecturer

Salary & Benefits

A competitive salary package, dependent on relevant teaching and discipline experience.

30 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays and no weekend work.

A generous pension scheme.

Subsidised staff accommodation on site if required.

5 days per year allocated to CPD training and regular staff training.

Free onsite parking.

Support with ABDO and GOC fees.

Working Pattern

These will vary depending on the role and fractionality. In-person teaching is predominantly on site at Godmersham College, with some travel to ABDO’s National Resource Centre as required. Hybrid working is available during non-teaching times and all FT staff have one non-teaching day per week, with flexibility as to where they work. Teaching is typically timetabled during 9-5pm, Monday-Friday, although there may also be some occasional evening work.

Equal Opportunities

ABDO College promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of its work. We aim to ensure, through our staff recruitment and selection processes that we encourage applications from all groups represented in the wider community at a local, national and international level.

Applicants should submit a CV and covering letter detailing their suitability for the role, with details of two referees.

Closing date 30 November