Description
An optician is an individual that works directly with customers in order to provide care throughout their visit whether it is for exams, procedures or even surgeries. After an optometrist and ophthalmologist have assessed a patient’s needs and written a prescription, an optician must then oversee the ordering of all eye-related products and ensure that they are fitted, adjusted and repaired properly. Registered opticians may also be responsible for designing and fitting special devices such as artificial eyes to correct cosmetic, traumatic or anatomical defects.
2. Guiding patients when selecting frames for proper fit and styling
3. Inserting, removing and caring for contact lenses
4. Advising patients on any necessary repairs or adjustments
5. Maintaining displays
6. Basic bookkeeping duties associated with tracking patient’s orders and recording purchases and other necessary information for each patient
7. Preparing work order for optical laboratory
8. Working with sales professionals from vision care suppliers
9. Ensuring that all orders arrive and are to the specifications of the patient
The United States of America: $14.44 per hour
Australia: AU$53,665 per year
Tasks:
1. Taking eye and facial measurements to correctly interpret prescriptions2. Guiding patients when selecting frames for proper fit and styling
3. Inserting, removing and caring for contact lenses
4. Advising patients on any necessary repairs or adjustments
5. Maintaining displays
6. Basic bookkeeping duties associated with tracking patient’s orders and recording purchases and other necessary information for each patient
7. Preparing work order for optical laboratory
8. Working with sales professionals from vision care suppliers
9. Ensuring that all orders arrive and are to the specifications of the patient
Key skills for an Optician:
- Active listening/ learning
- Service orientation
- Critical thinking
- Instructing
- Social perceptiveness
- Equipment selection
- Time management
- Persuasion
- Coordination
- Mathematics
Average Salary (2014):
The United Kingdom: £31,153 per yearThe United States of America: $14.44 per hour
Australia: AU$53,665 per year
Qualifications and training required:
Becoming an optician requires a high school diploma or an approved GED equivalent, followed by formal education and training or an apprenticeship. Many opticians go to college for a two-year associate’s degree in opticianry, which involves coursework in basic anatomy, eye anatomy, algebra and trigonometry, optical physics and mathematics and administration.Prospective opticians who take the apprenticeship path are required to undergo a two- to four-year period of on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed optician.
