A woman who took a ‘stop-gap’ admin job after being made redundant from the oil and gas industry has worked her way up to lead a new hearing care service across Aberdeen and the north-east.
Nine years ago, Zarah Bryce joined Specsavers Aberdeen with no previous optical or audiology experience after losing her job during a downturn in the oil and gas industry.
Having just bought a house, Zarah admits she ‘panicked’ and took an administration role where she could transfer her existing skills, expecting it to simply provide some security while she considered her next move.
Instead, the job became the beginning of a career which has seen her progress from administration into clinical audiology and leadership.
Now a Hearing Aid Dispenser (HAD) clinical lead and partner, Zarah is leading Specsavers’ new Aberdeen Home Visits audiology service, supporting customers who are unable to visit their local store to access professional hearing care in their own homes.
Zarah said: “This job was meant to be exactly that – a job and a stop-gap – but it’s turned into a career and one that I’m very, very proud of.”
“Very quickly after starting in the admin team, I took an interest in the clinical side of things. Seeing the audiograms, the products and the customer responses made me want to be part of that.”
Her potential was recognised by the store’s partners and, following a personal development plan, Zarah embarked on a two-year Hearing Aid Dispensing course.
The qualification coincided with two major milestones in her personal life, as Zarah got married during her first year of study before having her son during the second.
She commented: “The two-year HAD course was a whirlwind journey in itself. In the first year I got married and in the second year I had my son, and the team were there every step of the way.”
“My development didn’t stop throughout that. Even when I was on maternity leave they were checking in to make sure I was OK, and there was a plan in place for when I came back and opportunities for me to develop further.”
After almost two years as a qualified Hearing Aid Dispenser, Zarah completed Specsavers’ clinical lead course, where she discovered a passion for leadership and supporting the development of others.
She says: “Through the clinical lead course, I found that leadership was something I really enjoyed because I love seeing people progress and develop themselves.”
“The directors here will spot something in someone, take it and run with it. Everyone in our team has developed through courses, training and encouragement, and we all help each other out.”
“When I started in the business there were about five of us and we’re now a team of more than 20.”
Zarah’s latest step sees her leading the new Aberdeen Home Visits audiology service, which launched in August and provides hearing care to customers across all AB postcodes as well as DD9 and DD10.
The service offers hearing assessments, hearing aid fittings and ongoing aftercare in customers’ homes, as well as professional ear wax removal. Customers whose local Specsavers store does not offer wax removal can also request the service through Home Visits.
Zarah is supported by partners Mark Ranken and Ian McLellan, who bring more than 20 years of combined experience in audiology to the service.
For Zarah, the new role represents the latest stage of a career she never expected when she first walked through the doors of Specsavers Aberdeen nine years ago.
She says: “I’ve seen how the partners work and I want to be the person who is responsible for seeing that development in other people.”
“They’ve recognised that ambition in me too and supported me throughout my journey. I’m now on my pathway journey, so who knows what could come from here?”
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“Coming from an oil and gas background, I was very much a number. The team we have here is very much a family and I can never thank them enough for the opportunities I’ve had.”
The new service also complements Specsavers established home visits optical services, enabling more customers to access both eye and hearing care through a single trusted provider.
For more information about eligibility or to book a Specsavers Aberdeen Home Visits appointment, call 01224 010466.
