Locum to Resident Optometrist: Ibrahim's Story

That was exactly the case for our resident optometrist, Ibrahim.

After five years as a locum, Ibrahim was looking for more - a place to belong, grow, and contribute to something bigger. Moving to a resident position at Vision Express offers exactly that: the chance to be part of a team, a community, and a brand he trusted.

We caught up with Ibrahim to explore his journey from locum to resident optometrist. 

For some locums, the idea of moving into a resident optometrist role isn’t just about stability or benefits - it’s about belonging. It’s about being part of a team whose values resonate with you, and where you can truly make an impact. 

 What first inspired you to pursue a career in Optometry?

“[I had an eye test] around the time of ‘careers week’ at school, so I asked if I could spend a day in store for work experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it and wanted a blend of science and business, so optometry seemed like the perfect fit.”

What made you choose a resident position at Vision Express over other opportunities?

“This is my second spell at Vision Express - my first one started when I was 17. I would say it is a return home. I have always been impressed by the brand and their values. The main pull factor for me is the exciting direction the wider business is taking, and I want to play my part in shaping its future.”

That sense of belonging is something we hear time and again. The locum lifestyle offers independence, but it can also be isolating. As a resident at Vision Express, you’re not just part of a store team; you’re part of a community that shares your passion for care. And through The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, our optometrist can be a part of our mission to bring vision care to those in need.

"Go for it. It’s a great business and you’ll get to be a part of a global community, which is amazing - locuming can be very lonely at times. Vision Express also offer great flexibility and amazing benefits - so you get all the benefits of locuming plus lots more that being a locum simply doesn’t offer.” 

At Vision Express, we’ve designed our resident optometrist roles to give you the best of both worlds. You get the stability, career development and access to leading technology as a resident, plus, keep the flexibility, variety and earning potential you’re used to as a locum (yes, really!).

The TG Pool is our internal network that allows our employed optometrists to easily pick up locum-style days at Vision Express stores.

How was your recruitment experience with the Vision Express team?

“Fantastic. Amazing. Brilliant. Seamless. Informative. I have nothing but praise for them. They have been fabulous, and I would encourage anyone who is thinking of joining to get in touch!”

The journey from locum to resident often begins with a simple conversation. Our team pride themselves on making that process easy, personal, and transparent.

How has your time been at Vision Express so far?

“My store is great and my colleagues have all been supportive and welcoming. I am enjoying myself and keen to do more.”

At Vision Express, we believe being part of something bigger shouldn’t mean giving up what you love about being a locum. That’s why we offer flexibility, career development, and benefits that support both your professional and personal growth.

So if you’re exploring your next career move, or you simply want to know what else is out there, it’s worth understanding how Vision Express is doing things differently.