Optician Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an optician. Feel free to use our optician job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an optician.
Who is an Optician?
Opticians are professionals in eye care who prepare corrective lenses according to the prescriptions of an optometrist or ophthalmologist. This health care professional must complete some form of training before they can offer their services to the public.
An optician can create any one of many types of vision correction devices that are currently in use. These include lenses that fit in a pair of contact lenses. They can also prepare various types of ophthalmic prosthetics for people with partially impaired vision. The optician will often take the time to make sure the patient is happy with the corrections and provide follow-up assistance to help the patient adjust to the new prescription.
Opticians prepare refractive lenses for specific vision problems. The lenses can be used to help shortsighted people see distant objects. Long-sighted people will be able to see objects closer to them and can perform tasks like reading books or needlework. The optician can also design lenses to treat multiple vision issues in cases where more than one problem is present.
Preparation is key to a successful career as an optician. In many countries, basic training is essential through an accredited program. It is common for graduates to go through a certification process before they are allowed to apply for employment. The standards and procedures for certification may be set by a local agency or a national agency. The failure to meet the requirements of regulatory agencies could result in the cancellation of certification.
Opticians are expected to keep up to date with any technological developments that will allow them to serve their patients in a better way and provide the best possible vision. It is not uncommon for opticians to work alongside optometrists or ophthalmologists to better understand the needs of each patient.
Optician Job Description
Below are the optician job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an optician job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
- Analyzing prescriptions for contact lenses and eyeglasses
- Measuring customers’ eye and facial characteristics such as distance between eyes
- Choosing customers’ eyewear that is suitable for their needs, considering their vision and style preferences.
- Sending orders to technicians at ophthalmic laboratories based on customer information
- Making sure that all eyewear is properly fitted for their customers
- Educating customers about eye health and proper eyewear care
- Repairing and replacing defective eyewear
- Assisting in managerial tasks such as maintaining sales records, customer service, and stocking inventory.
- Processing of different prescription
- Processing orders for ophthalmic laboratory technicians
- Ensuring the proper fit by adjusting the patients’ eyewear
- Using special tools to replace or repair broken frames
- Performing business tasks such as keeping track of customer prescriptions and ordering stock in the optical shop
- Recommending contact lenses or frames that fit the customer’s face and style.
- Fitting frames to fit the prescriptions and customer specifications.
- Preparing work orders to be used by the optical technicians in the manufacture of the lenses.
- Using specialized equipment such as lensometers, calipers, and lens gauges.
- Ensuring customer satisfaction and product variety by keeping an inventory of frames and contacts lenses.
- Teaching patients how to use and maintain contact lenses and glasses.
- Assisting with administrative tasks, including managing prescriptions, customer records, insurance, and insurance.
Qualifications
Employers require that opticians have completed post-secondary education, an apprenticeship, and a license or certification.
Education
Many opt for a post-secondary degree program to help them get into the profession. These programs offer coursework in optics, mathematics, and science as well as business management. These programs also include clinical experience that allows prospective opticians to practice in an interactive setting.
Training
Opticians typically receive on-the-job training after earning a certificate, or an associate degree. These programs vary in length depending on the company and the experience of the candidates.
Some opticians prefer to complete a post-secondary degree, while some opt for an apprenticeship. Apprentices work under the guidance of an optician to get a lot of knowledge and experience in the field. The majority of apprenticeships are extended training programs that last two to three years. Apprentices also often learn business management skills.
Certification
Opticians need to be certified to dispense contact lenses or eyeglasses. These are the most popular certifications:
- American Board of Opticianry
This credential allows opticians to dispense eyeglasses. To demonstrate their proficiency in ophthalmic optics and ocular anatomy, candidates must pass a written test. This certification must be renewed every three years by opticians.
- National Contact Lens Examiners
This certification permits opticians to dispense contact lenses. To prove their understanding of ocular anatomy, instrumentation, and refractive errors, candidates must pass a written test. Recertification is required for this credential every three years.
- Advanced ABO/NCLE
Candidates have the option to choose to obtain an advanced version or NCLE certification to enhance their earning potential and skills. Candidates must hold the basic credential and complete at least one recertification phase. They also need to pass a written exam to earn the advanced certification.
Many opticians require a license to practice their profession. Some states require that candidates complete a six-month internship and pass a written test. To keep their licenses current, opticians must renew them every two years. This usually means continuing education coursework.
Essential Skills
The number of people wearing glasses around the globe has increased dramatically over the past 30 years. Today, we spend far more time indoors than in 1985, looking at our phones, playing games, or browsing the internet. These activities strain our eyes and are one reason why six out of ten people now wear glasses or contact lenses. The aging population is also increasing the demand for eyewear. Even if we reduce our collective computer addiction, there will still be more opticians who sell more glasses.
There are many opportunities in the field of eye care for those who want to be social and keep up-to-date with the latest trends.
These skills will make you a great optician.
- Communication skills
Communication is essential because opticians are part of a team with optometrists, and other ophthalmologists. They must be able to communicate clearly in writing, speaking, and reading so that they can receive instructions and help the team.
- Customer service
Opticians are responsible for retail sales and must be able to provide basic customer service skills. They must be able to anticipate customer needs and resolve any concerns to provide satisfactory solutions.
- Attention to detail
Opticians need to be able to make and/or assist with the many choices that they face every day. Opticians must be able to decide what eyewear best suits their customers’ needs and lifestyle, and how to adjust frames to ensure the best fit.
- Dexterity
Opticians must have the ability to handle small objects and tools. To adjust lenses and frames, they must be able to use fine motor skills and good coordination.
- Listening skills
Opticians need to be able to listen and understand their customers’ needs, concerns, and wishes. They must listen to customers and discuss their concerns about eyewear.
- Sales
Opticians are responsible for selling lenses and frames to customers. They need to be able to sell well. To meet their quarterly or monthly sales goals, opticians should be able to persuade.
- Empathy
Opticians who work with patients with eye problems must be compassionate and show genuine concern for their customers’ well-being.
- Business skills
Opticians often own their own business and must manage all aspects of the business. They are often required to make business decisions about additional staff, inventory management, property management, and accounting.
- Fashionable
Glasses are now seen as fashion accessories and a useful vision correction tool.
Most clients that you meet as a dispensing optician will wear their glasses every day, if not daily. It is important to ensure that your clients look great in their new glasses. You want to ensure that your customers can find the most recent models.
How to Become an Optician
Step 1: Find out about the job responsibilities
Opticians have one primary task: to make sure that frames and lenses are correctly fitted to the eyes of their clients. You would measure the temple length, the bridge of your nose, and the pupils. You would grind custom glasses according to prescriptions. This ensures that all specifications are met and the final product is acceptable for the client. Clients will need your assistance in choosing the best styles and colors for their eyes. You can also tint eyeglass lenses to achieve the best look possible. Practical administrative tasks such as billing, managing client prescription records, and inventory monitoring are also time-consuming.
Step 2: Acquire Opticianry Education and Training
A high school diploma is a minimum requirement to be employed as an optician. However, it is becoming more common to obtain an associate’s degree. If you can, make sure that the program is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation. Different programs are offered by some community colleges. These programs may include classes in anatomy, physics, and computer applications. You might also be offered courses in an optical laboratory, optical dispensing theory, and business management. Technical proficiency is also available.
Apprenticeships are offered by some larger employers for aspiring opticians. You’ll be trained and worked with experienced opticians, optometrists, or ophthalmologists. You will learn all the technical and practical skills required to be an optician. Additionally, you will receive training in office management and sales. It can take approximately two years to complete an apprenticeship.
Step 3: Get a license
The laws governing the licensing of opticians differ from one state to another. Some states require licensure. This means that you must pass both written and practical exams. You must have completed a formal opticianry degree program or been an apprentice optician for at least two years to be eligible for the state board examinations. You might also need to pass the American Board of Opticianry’s (ABO) certification exams.
NCLE will examine areas such as diagnostic fit and evaluation and lens dispensing. It also evaluates patient education and delivery. Administrative issues are also included. The ABO exam will include the use of ophthalmic apparatus, fitting and dispensing spectacles, and interpretation of prescriptions.
Step 4: Take part in Continuing Education
To renew your license, you will usually need to take some educational courses. Opticians’ conferences may offer continuing education classes, such as the one held annually at the Contact Lens Society of America. The National Academy of Opticianry also offers continuing education seminars and online classes.
Step 5: Examine Your Advancement Options
You will have better job prospects as a licensed optician if you have completed an approved program in opticianry. You may be able to design eyewear or sell it to manufacturers if you have some experience. You may also be able to open your optical shop or manage one.
Step 5: Create your resume and start your job search
Once you have all the required education and qualifications, it is time to build your resume and start looking for optician jobs. You can search for the position you are interested in and then review the responsibilities and duties to ensure it is a job that suits your skills and needs. Once you’ve found the positions that interest you, you can start to read about your preferred skills and experiences and add them to your resume.
Compare your skills to the job posting and determine what you are currently proficient in. These skills should be included in your job description.
Where to Work
Opticians work in retail environments, usually in vision care centers. They may be found in shopping malls and other retail areas. Some optician offices are located in private practices of optometrists or ophthalmologists, which makes it easy for patients to buy their glasses or lenses right after their eye exam.
Opticians who work in retail environments may need to work after normal hours. This could mean that they work on weekends. Private care practices may offer them the opportunity to work for hours that are more consistent with private practice hours.
Optician Salary Scale
The average salary of an optician in the United States at $49,507. The salary of an optician will vary depending on their experience and where they work. An entry-level optician may be more likely to receive a higher salary as they gain experience and learn new skills.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for opticians will grow by approximately 7% in the next decade. As the population gets older, more people will need more glasses and eyewear.