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When we speak about opticians, we need to describe their roles and duties so that you can determine whether this career path is the right one for you.
The first person that people encounter when they are in need of vision care is an optician.
You can find an optician involved in customer service and work in vision care stores.
Among many things that they perform during the course of the day, these are typical duties of opticians:
- They are in charge of receiving patient’s prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Also, they have to measure customers’ eyes and faces, e.g. the distance between their pupils so as to make sure they will provide suitable glasses.
- They should help customers choose eyeglass frames and lens treatments, depending on their vision needs and style
- Their duty is to create work orders for ophthalmic laboratory technicians, by providing the necessary information about the lenses.
- If asked, they have to adjust eyewear to ensure a good fit, as well as repair or replace eyeglass frames
- Their job is to educate customers about eyewear
- Last but not least, they have to be familiar with business tasks as well, such as maintaining sales records, keeping track of customers’ prescriptions, and ordering and maintaining inventory
Now that you have decided that an optician career is the one for you, let’s learn how you can become an optician:
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Earn a Certificate or Associate’s Degree
Yes, you are right, a Certificate is not obligatory for opticians to perform their job, as there are certain optometry offices that hire opticians with only a high school diploma and later on provide on-the-job training.
However, we always suggest formal postsecondary education as it is necessary for licensure in some states.
If you decided to enroll either in an associate’s degree or a certificate program, your studies will require that you attend classes, perform laboratory work as well as practical training.
Some of the classes you will have to take are optics principles, ocular anatomy, lab procedures, contact lenses, ophthalmic dispensing, and ophthalmic materials.
So as to be able to develop practical skills, you are advised to go through clinical experiences.
During those clinical experiences, you will get a chance to work under the supervision of an experienced optician, thus gaining practical skills.
Complete an Apprenticeship
Prospective opticians can enroll in an apprenticeship in some states, which typically last for two years.
There are different requirements in distinct states, so in Massachusetts, an apprentice must complete a minimum of 6,000 hours of work within a 3-year period.
Attain State Licensure
You need to bear in mind that almost half of all U.S. states require licensure for opticians and you are suggested to get it.
The optician licensing board in each state determines the requirements for licensure and all licensing boards use the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) certification exams for the licensure process.
Some of them even require a state practical exam.
Only eligible people can sit for the licensing exam.
So, you must graduate from an approved training program or complete an apprenticeship to be allowed to take the exam.
Once you become licensed, you will be required to complete continuing education hours to remain licensed.
Earn Certifications
Even in those states that do not oblige opticians to have licensure, you should consider earning the basic and advanced certifications offered through the ABO for glasses and NCLE for contact lenses.
To be able to take the basic exam, you just need to be 18 or older, while the advanced certification requires several years of experience and advanced education.
Optician Job Description
Opticians can be found working at vision care centers available all over the country.
These centers can be located in shopping centers, malls, and individual business locations.
As we have already mentioned, a license is required in 21 states so that you can get an optician job.
In the states that do not require a license, the criteria for the hiring process are set by the hiring vision care center.
However, possessing an ABO certification to work as an optician would definitely increase your chances of obtaining an optician job.
Optician Salary and Career Path
When we speak about becoming an optician, it is important to mention how much you will earn once you become employed.
The average salary of an optician is $37,860 annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Still, experienced opticians may earn much more.
You need to know that different states offer higher pay rates and Massachusetts offers the highest salary for opticians, with an average annual salary of $60,740.
The salary will also depend on the location of a vision care center, as those in metropolitan areas earn a greater amount of money.
Just like other medical fields, opticians are experiencing great job growth, and a 27% increase in optician jobs in the years to come is expected.
This means that a lot of new job opportunities will be offered with the industry growth.
