A Day in the Life of an Optometrist / Director at Opticare

Welcome back to our “A Day in the Life of…” series, where we’re excited to introduce you to Shaimil Shah, one of our Directors and Optometrists. Shaimil has been at Opticare since 2007 and he plays a pivotal role in delivering exceptional eye care to our patients and ensuring the smooth operation of Opticare.

Q: Can you tell us what is it that you do?

Everything and anything I am told to do! But more seriously, a typical day in my role involves performing eye examinations and contact lens examinations for our wonderful patients. Additionally, I take part in co-managing the daily operations of Opticare. This includes working with other directors and managers to ensure that we provide a first class service and products to our patients. This could involve managing stock purchases, addressing employee matters, or simply assisting patients with their enquiries.

Q: What are you responsible for?

My responsibilities encompass a broad range of tasks. I am responsible for the management of our staff, ensuring that they are well-equipped and trained to provide the best service to our patients. I also take charge of product research and training on product knowledge for my fellow directors and employees. On top of that, I serve as the onsite IT technician, overseeing the hardware and software used within Opticare. Lastly, I collaborate with the marketing team to produce marketing content and newsletters for our patients.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?

What I enjoy most is meeting such a diverse group of patients from all walks of life. I love catching up with regular patients and hearing about what they’ve been up to since our last meeting. It’s also heartwarming to see different generations of a family coming to us for their eye care needs, creating a sense of a multi-generational Opticare family.

Q: How did you end up in this job?

My father, Mr. Shah, is one of the founders of Opticare. I started working here at the age of 15, helping out during weekends and holidays. I quickly fell in love with the variety of the job. After studying in London and Cardiff for a while, I found my way back to where it all began.

Q: What qualifications do you have?

I hold the following qualifications: a BSc (Hons) in Optometry from Cardiff University, a Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing from City University, and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Leicester.

Q: What time do you typically start and end your workday?

Our first patient arrives at 9 a.m., and we often travel to one of our four practices, so the day might start as early as 7:45 a.m. if we’re heading to Newark. While the official workday ends around 4:30 p.m., the business never truly stops, and I’m always available to answer emails and address matters outside of regular hours.

Q: Are there any specific projects or initiatives you are currently working on?

I’m actively involved in researching and purchasing new, exciting frame ranges to keep our stock current and fashionable. I’m also participating in marketing initiatives to enhance our company’s presence.

Q: How do you prioritise your work and manage your time?

Fortunately, our job is appointment-based, which makes it easy to structure the day. In between patient appointments, I manage the business side of things. As I mentioned earlier, the “work hours” never truly end when you’re running a business.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role?

Two significant challenges for me are completing my MBA in 2023, which pushed me out of my comfort zone and was an exciting personal challenge. The other is focusing on the tech aspect of the business, enhancing the patient journey, and striving to make Opticare as green as possible while reducing our carbon footprint.

We hope this insider’s look into Shaimil’s day as our Director Optometrist has provided you with a deeper understanding of the dedication and passion that goes into providing you with top-notch eye care at Opticare. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes features in our “A Day in the Life of…”  series on our amazing team!