Optometric technician vs dialysis technician

The differences between optometric technicians and dialysis technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an optometric technician, becoming a dialysis technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a dialysis technician has an average salary of $40,195, which is higher than the $30,928 average annual salary of an optometric technician.

The top three skills for an optometric technician include patients, customer service and patient care. The most important skills for a dialysis technician are patients, vital signs, and direct patient care.

Optometric technician vs dialysis technician overview

	Optometric Technician	Dialysis Technician
Yearly salary	$30,928	$40,195
Hourly rate	$14.87	$19.32
Growth rate	16%	9%
Number of jobs	33,412	100,653
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Associate Degree, 25%
Average age	41	44
Years of experience	2	12

What does an optometric technician do?

An optometric technician is responsible for performing administrative and clerical tasks to assist patients with their vision problems and needs. Optometric technicians work in the laboratory, constructing glasses and lenses according to the ophthalmologist's advice. They clean and inspect vision equipment and ensure that the facility is well-maintained. An optometric technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns, manage information on the database, and release customers' orders.

What does a dialysis technician do?

A dialysis technician is responsible for the control and maintenance of a dialysis machine. Dialysis technicians' duties include monitoring the stable performance of the equipment, assisting patients on the dialysis process, and adhering to the safety standards and protocols on the dialysis operation all the time. A dialysis technician also reports to the respective doctors and nurses for any concerns and possible emergency scenarios. Dialysis technicians must also sterilize all equipment before usage to ensure its cleanliness, avoiding possible infection for patients.

Optometric technician vs dialysis technician salary

Optometric technicians and dialysis technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Optometric Technician	Dialysis Technician
Average salary	$30,928	$40,195
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $39,000	Between $29,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City	-	Fresno, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	American Mobile Healthcare
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between optometric technician and dialysis technician education

There are a few differences between an optometric technician and a dialysis technician in terms of educational background:

	Optometric Technician	Dialysis Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Associate Degree, 25%
Most common major	Biology	Nursing
Most common college	-	University of Connecticut

Optometric technician vs dialysis technician demographics

Here are the differences between optometric technicians' and dialysis technicians' demographics:

	Optometric Technician	Dialysis Technician
Average age	41	44
Gender ratio	Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3%	Male, 25.1% Female, 74.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	6%	8%

Differences between optometric technician and dialysis technician duties and responsibilities

Optometric technician example responsibilities.

Maintain coating quality using adhesion testing and spectrophotometers, and manage coating hues and reflectance adjustments.
Preform pre-test on patients, using auto refractor, NCT and OCT and fundus photos.
Identify, reference and apply insurance coverage and present financial policies and arrangements accurately to patients.
Perform and interpret OCT and HVF.
Measure eye pressure with Tonopen and tonometer.
Maintain accurate and organize patient records, including EHR.

Dialysis technician example responsibilities.

Maintain national certification as CCHT and attain CE's as required.
Practice guidelines require by national standard and regulatory agencies and infection control when sterilizing equipment, catheter sites, puncture sites.
Initiate, monitor, and terminate dialysis treatments for individual patients through intravenous and/or catheter ports.
Observe patients during hemodialysis treatments and identify patient problems and/or complications and report any unusual findings to the nurse supervisor.
Operate hemodialysis machines, calculate fluid removal/replacement, monitor venous and arterial pressures, and check patients for adverse reactions.
Demonstrate proficiency in laboratory procedures and equipment functions to perform duties accurately; comply with standard procedures and cleanliness guidelines.

Optometric technician vs dialysis technician skills

Common optometric technician skills

Patients, 24%
Customer Service, 10%
Patient Care, 10%
Field Testing, 8%
Excellent Organizational, 7%
Pre-test, 5%

Common dialysis technician skills

Patients, 31%
Vital Signs, 13%
Direct Patient Care, 7%
CPR, 5%
Phlebotomy, 4%
Catheter, 3%

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Optometric Technician
Optometric Technician vs Dialysis Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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