What does an Optician do?
An Optician is a vision care provider who is responsible for helping patients choose and use contact lenses and eyeglasses. This professional assists customers who have obtained prescriptions written by an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist. They may also repair and replace eyeglass frames to ensure a good fit. Besides this, Opticians educate customers about lens treatment and eyewear. For instance, a customer might need to know how to care for their eyeglasses.
Optician skills and qualifications
The ideal candidate for the optician job possesses excellent communication skills. A candidate who is good with children is also preferable, since sometimes opticians may interact with children who need eyewear. Some of the top skills and qualifications needed for this job may include:
- Guiding customers through the process of purchasing the correct eyewear
- Taking accurate measurements of customer faces and eyes to get the right fit
- Knowing how to match the lens specifications to the prescriptions
- Updating the in-house system, handling appointment scheduling, and following-up with customers to remind them of upcoming appointments
- Talking to customers in a shop or clinic to suggest eyeglass accessories like lens cleaners and cases
Optician experience requirements
Successful Opticians usually have at least three years experience. This type of optical professional can operate lensometers and other optics equipment. Someone with experience in both glasses and contact lenses can make a good Optician. They need to be able to read and understand optical prescriptions. In addition to this, the right candidate needs to be proficient with computers, especially office applications. Lastly, an Optician with any experience in a retail setting would be considered an asset.
Optician education and training requirements
Opticians must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. In some cases, you may consider candidates without high school education if you provide on-the-job training. Many Opticians today study a one-year certificate in opticianry or a two-year associate’s degree.
Give priority to candidates who have completed relevant coursework in opticianry programs such as eye physiology, optics, administration, mathematics, and business administration. You also need to make sure that students with certificate programs or associate’s degrees have completed a period of supervised clinical work and passed their opticianry licensing examinations.
Optician salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, an Optician in Canada earns an average yearly salary of $40,869. This amount is subject to change depending on a company’s location and size, and the applicant’s previous experience, education, and training.
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