How to hire an optical dispenser

How to hire an optical dispenser, step by step

Here's a step-by-step optical dispenser hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an optical dispenser job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new optical dispenser
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an optical dispenser, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An optical dispenser's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, optical dispensers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents optical dispenser salaries for various positions.

   Type of Optical Dispenser	Description	Hourly rate
   Optical Dispenser	Dispensing opticians help fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists. They also help customers decide which eyeglass frames or contact lenses to buy.	$5-55
   Licensed Optician	A licensed optician is responsible for attending to clients with eye care needs and recommends eyewear selection according to the optometrist's advice. Licensed opticians order the frames and lenses and ensure that the measurement would fit according to the instructions... Show more	$15-30
   Optician	An optician is a medical expert specializing in people's various visual conditions. Opticians analyze eye examinations and the grade of patients' vision from the optometrist or ophthalmologists' prescriptions and design appropriate lenses to improve their sight... Show more	$13-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • American Board
   • ABO
   • Insurance Coverage
   • Customer Service
   • Scheduling Appointments
   • Optical Lab
   • Insurance Claims
   • Patient Appointments
   • Frame Selection

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain coating quality using adhesion testing and spectrophotometers, and manage coating hues and reflectance adjustments.
   • Follow all IRB, FDA and HIIPA directions relate to clinical research projects.
   • Order glasses verify insurance order contacts make appointment follow up on RX order
   • Assist patients with eye wear selection, repairs and troubleshooting with Rx difficulties.
   • Work with multiple optometrists to solve patient issues including inaccurate optical measurements, lens adaptations, and overall patient satisfaction.
   • File insurance for orders including medicare and medicaid.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your optical dispenser job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An optical dispenser salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, optical dispensers' average salary in oklahoma is 57% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level optical dispensers earn 91% less than senior-level optical dispensers.
   • Certifications. An optical dispenser with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an optical dispenser's salary.

   Average optical dispenser salary

   $37,333yearly

   $17.95 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level optical dispenser salary

   $11,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing an optical dispenser job description

   A good optical dispenser job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an optical dispenser job description:

   Optical dispenser job description example

   Responsible for interpreting the ophthalmic spectacle prescription and the eyewear order to properly deliver, adjust, and repair eyewear.
   PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
   
   + Responsible for inspecting the eyewear and the coordinated order prior to delivery Dispense eyewear using the E.A.R.N. for Dispensing process methodology.
   
   + Responsible for knowledge of each dispensing tool, its use, and ability to use it properly
   
   + Responsible for properly fitting eyewear to the patient's face through various frame adjustments
   
   + Responsible for explaining the care and maintenance for the eyewear to the patient, including recommending HFO cleaning regimens
   
   + Responsible for processing the delivery of the eyewear order in the software program
   
   + Responsible for performing proper frame and lens repairs
   
   + Trouble-shoot vision, lens, and frame issues including verifying prescription, base curves PD's, segment heights, visual acuity and adjusting face form
   
   + Responsible for communicating the preferred lens family of products and the benefits of each Responsible for knowledge of various frame materials in order to properly adjust and repair them
   
   + Process remake orders and properly apply vision insurance coverage
   
   + Responsible for neutralizing and verifying the spectacle prescription in the eyewear through the use of auto and manual lensometry.
   
   + Receive eyewear orders into the software program and manage delivery status reports
   
   + Assist with placing patient's eyewear orders as needed.
   
   EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
   
   + High school diploma or G.E.D required.
   
   + Previous computer experience and basic math skills preferred.
   
   + Previous customer service, hospitality, or retail experience preferred.
   
   + Previous dispensing/optical experience preferred.
   
   + Must be able to walk, bend and stand for extended periods of time.
   
   + Completion of all required training courses as directed by Henry Ford OptimEyes.
   
   WORKING CONDITIONS
   
   + Works in retail optical environment.
   
   + Requires evening and weekend hours.
   
   Overview
   
   Under the leadership of President and CEO Robert G. Riney, Henry Ford Health is a
   
   $6 billion integrated health system comprised of six hospitals, a health plan, and 250+ sites
   
   including medical centers, walk-in and urgent care clinics, pharmacy, eye care facilities and
   
   other healthcare retail. Established in 1915 by auto industry pioneer Henry Ford, the health system
   
   now has 32,000 employees and remains home to the 1,900-member Henry Ford Medical Group, one
   
   of the nation's oldest physician groups. An additional 2,200 physicians are also affiliated with the
   
   health system through the Henry Ford Physician Network. Henry Ford is also one of the region's
   
   major academic medical centers, receiving between $90-$100 million in annual research funding and
   
   remaining Michigan's fourth largest NIH-funded institution. Also an active participant in medical
   
   education and training, the health system has trained nearly 40% of physicians currently practicing
   
   in the state and also provides education and training for other health professionals including nurses,
   
   pharmacists, radiology and respiratory technicians. visit HenryFord.com.
   
   Benefits
   
   Whether it's offering a new medical option, helping you make healthier lifestyle choices or
   
   making the employee enrollment selection experience easier, it's all about choice. Henry
   
   Ford Health has a new approach for its employee benefits program - My Choice
   
   Rewards. My Choice Rewards is a program as diverse as the people it serves. There are
   
   dozens of options for all of our employees including compensation, benefits, work/life balance
   
   and learning - options that enhance your career and add value to your personal life. As an
   
   employee you are provided access to Retirement Programs, an Employee Assistance Program
   
   (Henry Ford Enhanced), Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Time Off, Employee Health and Wellness, and a whole host of other benefits and services. Employee's classified as contingent status are not eligible for benefits.
   
   Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
   
   Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer Henry Ford Health is
   
   committed to the hiring, advancement and fair treatment of all individuals without regard to
   
   race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, size, height,
   
   weight, marital status, family status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and genetic information,
   
   or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right optical dispenser for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with optical dispensers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit optical dispensers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your optical dispenser job on Zippia to find and recruit optical dispenser candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with optical dispenser candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new optical dispenser

   Once you have selected a candidate for the optical dispenser position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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