Essilor is building training for the entire career path of dispensers. We have launched the New Dispenser Quick Start Program and Apollo for Advanced Dispensing Professionals in 2009. We plan to launch our Dispensary Management Program in 2010.

New Dispenser Quick Start

In January of 2009, Essilor launched the New Dispenser Quick Start Program through our ECP Education team. This program is designed for new dispensers without industry experience.

We conducted research internally and externally that identified 432 competencies required to become a high-performing dispenser. Of the 432 competencies, we identified 300 that would bring a new dispenser to a six-month experience level. The New Dispenser Quick Start Program focuses on these 300 competencies and trains participants in 20 days.

The New Dispenser Quick Start Program costs $295 per user, and it is $150 for Vision West Members.

Program Details
The details of the program include:

• 160 hours of training
• Coach provided by practice
• 18 web-based courses with 24 x 7 access
• Participant workbook and coach’s guide
• Online, on-the-job and self-study learning methods

Content
The program builds the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to be a successful dispensary staff member by focusing on:

• Business Management
• Patient Service and Selling
• Optics
• Products

Benefits
Practice benefits include:

• Staff productivity—basic proficiency in most job skills in 20 days
• Dispensary productivity—staff spends less time training new hires
• New staff retention—staff who are trained and nurtured are far more likely to have long-tenure
• Weed out poor performers—less pain for practice to ‘raise’ new staff
• Establish positive habits—new hires introduced to best practices from day one

Apollo for Advanced Dispensing Professionals

The Apollo for Advanced Dispensing Professionals Program is designed for dispensers with more than one year experience. It focuses on more advanced topics than the New Dispenser Quick Start Program. For example, New Dispenser has one course on lensometry, and Apollo has three courses that focus on more advanced lensometry concepts.

This program includes customized learning plans. When you begin one of the five learning topics, you will complete a pre-test. Based on the pre-test results, the system will email a recommended learning plan based on your needs. You only need to complete the recommended courses to complete the program. 

Apollo for Advanced Dispensing Professionals costs $200 retain and $100 for Vision West Members.

60 web-based courses with 24 x 7 access
Customized learning plans driven by pre-assessments
Live workshops to transfer knowledge to applied skill

Medical/Clinical
Technical/Optical
Patient Service and Selling
Optical Products
Dispensary Business Management