Become An Optician

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Working As An Optician

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Getting Information
Documenting/Recording Information

Deal with People
$34,840
Average Salary

What Does An Optician Do At Quad/Graphics

* _In order of importance_
* Fills ophthalmic eyeglass prescriptions and fits and adapts lenses and frames, to include but not limited to the following:
* Utilizing optical prescription, evaluates prescription in conjunction with customer's visual requirements.
* Recommends specific lenses, lens coatings and frames to suit customer needs.
* Assists customers in the selection of frames and coordinates frames with optical measurements and prescription.
* Conducts measurements of bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance and optical centers using appropriate tools.
* Providing optical service to customers within regulatory guidelines and per organizational/departmental policy.
* Heat, shape, or bend plastic or metal frames in order to adjust eyeglasses to fit clients, using pliers and hands in the optical lab.
* Show customers how to insert, remove, and care for their contact lenses.
* Deliver excellent customer service and demonstrate a high degree of professionalism.
* Build team commitment to high standards of service, exceeding customer expectations and leading by example.
* Meets with eyeglass frame representatives and finds suitable accounts.
* Assist in maintaining visual objectives and housekeeping standards by straightening merchandise and assisting in floor and fixture changes.
* Maintains patient confidentiality and adheres to all HIPAA regulations.
* Any other tasks as assigned by any member of management.
* SCOPE
* High school diploma or equivalent
* At least 4 years retail experience in ophthalmic dispensing.
* Certification as an Optician through the A
* B.O
* C., The American Board of Opticianry preferred.
* Knowledge of current optical theory and practices
* Strong communicator and listener to customers and associates
* Conducts appropriate ancillary testing, fields, biometrics, glasses checks, etc.
* Strong basic math skills
* Understanding of eye procedures for both medical necessity or improvement of life quality and appearance
* Informed on current eyewear trends and able to offer advice/ideas to the patients
* Sales skills preferred

What Does An Optician Do At Mercy

* Assist patients in purchasing glasses, write up orders and charges, check and verify completed orders, and notify patient when order is ready or if there is a delay.
* Perform adjustments on glasses and maintain optical supplies and frames.
* Assist in lab when necessary.
* Answer telephone calls concerning optical, verify monthly optical statement for payment, and jointly works toward smooth and efficient operation in optical.
* Other related job duties as assigned

What Does An Optician Do At Cedars-Sinai

* include the following but are not limited to the following:
* Sociable personality a must.
* Knowledgeable in frame selection and eyewear fitting.
* Expert in different lens fabrications.
* Interpretation of Rx
* Eye measurements, seg height, pupillary distance, auto-refraction, lens reading
* Educate clients with best eyeglasses and lens treatments, including tints and coatings.
* Adjusting eyeglasses for best fit.
* Troubleshoot and problem solve around frame repairs.
* Contact Lens training
* Dispense contacts, glasses, other products.
* Look up and obtain appropriate Vision Plan authorizations.
* Collect money and process all corresponding paperwork.
* Maintain displays and aesthetics of Optical department.
* Order supplies.
* Answer phone calls, retrieve messages and follow-up on orders with labs and clients.
* Cross-train in other areas of the practice for added versatility and support.
* Understands industry trends.
* ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS Demonstrates behavior which supports the Cedars
* Sinai Health System mission.
* Attends required orientation and training seminars.
* Meets production standards within established time requirements.
* Work product and performance meet quality standards.
* Demonstrates respect and positive interpersonal skills with patients, clients, the public, managers, and co-workers-a team player.
* Maintains confidentiality of patient care and business matters.
* Observes time, attendance, and dress code standards.
* Protects the safety of others and of the physical plant and equipment, following institution policies, fire, safety and infection control regulations.
* The above Statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.
* They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees classified in this job.
* Cedars
* Sinai will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring

What Does An Optician Do At University of Rochester

* Provides comprehensive patient care related to patient evaluation, prescription recommendation, eyewear selection, fitting and purchase, and coordination with other health care professionals.
* Specific Responsibilities:
* Under general direction and with latitude for independent judgment:
* Manages the work of clerical support staff; invoicing patients, cash handling, and financial arrangements with patients or responsible third-party to cover charges.
* Coordinates service support: inventory, equipment maintenance and repair, requisitioning of supplies, and materials.
* Recommends expenditures for major equipment and construction to Department Chair.
* Authorizes expenditures for expendable supplies and maintenance.
* Uses specialized software to maintain customer database and report financial transactions
* Fills ophthalmic eyeglass prescriptions specified by the MD or OD and makes final adjustments to the eyewear to the satisfaction of the patient.
* Evaluates prescriptions with consideration of the patients' vocational and recreational visual requirements.
* Makes recommendations for lenses (including contact lenses), lens coatings, and frames to suit patient needs.
* Measures patients' bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, papillary distance, and optical centers of eyes using a millimeter rule and light reflex pupillometer.
* Determines patient's current lens prescription by using a lensometer or lens analyzer and patient's current eyeglasses.
* Assists patients in selecting frames according to style, color, coordinating frames with facial and eye measurements and ophthalmic prescription.
* Instructs patients in adapting to, wearing and caring for eyeglasses and/or contact lenses.
* Prepares work orders which may include instructions for grinding, coating and fabricating eyeglasses.
* May perform finish lens grinding, and/or communicate the work of processing to lab technicians to fill the work orders to specification.
* Verifies that the finished lenses have been ground, and fabricated to specification.
* Heats, shapes, or bends plastic or metal frames to adjust eyeglasses using hands, or pliers or other tools and materials to fit patient.
* May perform lens finishing work as needed.
* Maintains retail inventory which involves meeting with sales representatives, ordering frames, lenses and other supplies.
* Creates innovative and pleasing displays of merchandise to entice purchases.
* Selects and maintains inventory and sales management software.
* Establishes and maintains relationships with optical labs, finish laboratories and suppliers for the purpose of purchasing inventory, collecting equipment/product information or resolving equipment/product problems.
* Participates in trunk shows throughout the University in conjunction with Marketing and special sale events at selected University locations.
* Attends Optician vendor shows, exhibitions and trade shows for the purpose of keeping abreast of new ophthalmic retail trends and purchasing supplies.
* May fit and dispense contact lenses.
* Contact lens fitting specialist, duties include prefit, preparation and evaluation; diagnostic fit and evaluation; lens dispensing, patient education and delivery procedures; follow-up visits with patient/customer; and administrative issues

What Does An Optician Do At Visionworks

* Assist each customer in frame and lens selection.
* Provide customers with accurate product information regarding frames, lens selections and other services.
* Provide customers covered by Third Party insurance with accurate information regarding benefits to ensure proper selection of frames and lenses.
* Discuss frames/lens extras and options.
* Inform the customer of any additional charges not covered by their Third Party insurance coverage.
* Analyze and interpret patients’ prescriptions.
* Sell, fit and dispense frames and other accessories through the use of accurate measurements, verification of ordered products and adjustments of various optical products.
* Maintain a clean and orderly dispensing area.
* Responsible for the accuracy of patient pricing.
* Communicate clearly with lab and Optometrist to ensure accuracy of prescription

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How To Become An Optician

Opticians typically have a high school diploma or equivalent and receive some form of on-the-job training. Some opticians enter the occupation with an associate’s degree or a certificate from a community college or technical school. About half of the states require opticians to be licensed.

Education and Training

Opticians typically have a high school diploma or equivalent and learn job skills through on-the-job training. Training includes technical instruction in which, for example, a new optician measures a customer’s eyes or adjusts frames under the supervision of an experienced optician. Trainees also learn sales and office management practices. Some opticians complete an apprenticeship, which typically takes at least 2 years.

Other opticians complete a postsecondary education program at a community college or technical school. These programs award a 2-year associate’s degree or a 1-year certificate. As of 2015, the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation accredited 22 programs in 14 states.

Education programs typically include both classroom instruction and clinical experience. Coursework includes classes in optics, eye physiology, math, and business management, among other topics. Students also do supervised clinical work that gives them hands-on experience working as opticians and learning optical math, optical physics, and the use of precision measuring instruments. Some programs have distance-learning options.

The National Academy of Opticianry offers the Ophthalmic Career Progression Program (OCPP), a program designed for individuals who are already working in the field. The OCPP offers opticians another way to prepare for licensure exams or certifications.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

About half of the states require opticians to be licensed. Licensure usually requires completing formal education through an approved program or completing an apprenticeship. In addition, opticians must pass one or more exams to be licensed. The opticianry licensing board in each state can supply information on licensing requirements.

Opticians may choose to become certified in eyeglass dispensing or contact lens dispensing or both. Certification requires passing exams from the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE). Nearly all state licensing boards use the ABO and NCLE exams as the basis for state licensing. Some states also require opticians to pass state-specific practical exams.

In most states that require licensure, opticians must renew their license every 1 to 3 years and must complete continuing education requirements.

Important Qualities

Business skills. Opticians are often responsible for the business aspects of running an optical store. They should be comfortable making decisions and have some knowledge of sales and inventory management.

Communication skills. Opticians must be able to listen closely to what customers want. They must be able to clearly explain options and instructions for care in ways that customers understand.

Customer service skills. Because some opticians work in stores, they must answer questions and know about the products they sell. They interact with customers on a very personal level, fitting eyeglasses or contact lenses. To succeed, they must be friendly, courteous, patient, and helpful to customers.

Decisionmaking skills. Opticians must determine what adjustments need to be made to eyeglasses and contact lenses. They must decide which materials and styles are most appropriate for each customer on the basis of their preferences and lifestyle.

Dexterity. Opticians frequently use special tools to make final adjustments and repairs to eyeglasses. They must have good hand-eye coordination to do that work quickly and accurately.

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Optician jobs

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Optician Demographic

Gender

Female
78.2%
Male
20.3%
Unknown
1.5%

Ethnicity

White
76.9%
Hispanic or Latino
14.4%
Asian
6.7%
Unknown
1.5%
Black or African American
0.5%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
65.3%
French
4.3%
Hindi
3.6%
Russian
2.9%
Arabic
2.9%
Vietnamese
2.5%
German
2.2%
Mandarin
1.8%
Japanese
1.8%
Polish
1.8%
Italian
1.4%
Cantonese
1.4%
Urdu
1.4%
Swedish
1.1%
Gujarati
1.1%
Carrier
1.1%
Hmong
1.1%
Korean
0.7%
Tagalog
0.7%
Chinese
0.7%

Optician

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Optician Typical Career Paths

Average Length of Employment

Licensed Optician 6.1 years
Optician Manager 5.8 years
Certified Optician 5.0 years
Optical Manager 4.8 years
Dispensing Optician 4.5 years
Optician 3.0 years
Optician Apprentice 2.6 years
Optical Technician 2.5 years
Optical Assistant 2.0 years

Optician Education

Schools

University of Phoenix
22.3%
All American Career College
8.7%
Kaplan University
6.0%
University of Houston
4.9%
Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater
4.9%
Liberty University
4.1%
American InterContinental University
4.1%
Erie Community College
3.8%
Ferris State University
3.8%
Saint Louis Community College
3.5%
Baker College
3.5%
Weber State University
3.5%
Ashford University
3.5%
College of DuPage
3.5%
Tulsa Community College
3.5%
Utah State University
3.3%
Southern New Hampshire University
3.3%
University of North Texas
3.3%
Kirkwood Community College
3.3%
Anne Arundel Community College
3.3%

Majors

Business 21.1%
Health Care Administration 8.8%
Medical Assisting Services 8.1%
Psychology 7.2%
General Studies 6.8%
Nursing 6.7%
Biology 4.9%
Criminal Justice 4.4%
Education 3.8%
Accounting 3.4%
Liberal Arts 3.0%
Communication 2.9%
Nursing Assistants 2.8%
Management 2.7%
Ophthalmic And Optometric Support Services 2.5%
English 2.3%
Physics 2.2%
Marketing 2.2%
Elementary Education 2.1%
Cosmetology 2.1%

Degrees

Other
38.8%
Bachelors
29.1%
Associate
17.5%
Certificate
5.3%
Masters
4.6%
Diploma
3.0%
License
1.2%
Doctorate
0.6%

Optician

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Real Optician Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Optician	Helen Yoon	Buena Park, CA	Jul 18, 2016	$47,923
Optician	Italee Optometric Center, Inc.	Los Angeles, CA	Feb 10, 2015	$40,123
Optician	Italee Optics, Inc.	Los Angeles, CA	Jan 07, 2011	$36,587
Optician	Italee Optometric Center, Inc.	Los Angeles, CA	Dec 20, 2010	$36,587
Optician	Nelson T. Murata	Simi Valley, CA	Jul 01, 2010	$35,479
Optician	Eye Connect	Torrance, CA	Nov 02, 2010	$34,549
Optician	Kim's Eyeland Optical, Inc.	Duluth, GA	Oct 17, 2007	$31,928

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Top Skills for An Optician

Top Optician Skills

Lens Options
Contact Lens Training
Customer Service

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Assist patients in frame selection and choosing the best type of lens and lens options for their specific needs.
Assisted doctors with collecting patient histories, basic testing, and contact lens training.
Work with customer service manager to ensure proper customer service is being delivered.
Educated patients on the importance of regular eye exams and taking care of their eye wear.
Prepare work order for optical laboratory containing instructions for lens options and frame information.