Job Description: Optical Technician

Optical Technician Job Duties | Optical Technician Schools | Optical Technician Salary | Optical Technician Pros and Cons

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN OPTICAL TECHNICIAN

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The role of an optical technician involves performing a variety of duties related to optical laboratory processing. These duties cover the areas of optical, mechanical, maintenance and functional operations. Part of the job may involve conducting research into protocols and data collection and development of protocols.

The primary job duties of an optical technician is to measure, design, fit and adapt lenses and frames in accordance with prescriptions.

An optical technician needs to be skilled in the art of written and spoken communication, customer handling abilities, and listening to customers, paying attention to detail, comprehension of customer requests and taking appropriate action.

The field of optometry as well as the areas of science and industry need more optical technicians and technologists. Read the details on this page to see if you want to become an optical technician.

What Are The Job Duties Of An Optical Technician

· Assist clients with insertion, removal and care of contact lenses
· Assist clients to select frames that are appropriate for them and in the preferred style and color they want
· Use measuring devices to take client measurements including bridge and eye sizes, vertex distance, papillary distance, temple length, optical eye centers for sizes for eyeglasses
· Coordinate frames and eye measurements to the optical prescription
· Prepare work orders to the optical laboratory that relate to the grinding and mounting of lenses in the chosen frames
· Verify finished lens spectacles match the optical prescription and order placed
· Make adjustments to frame and lens position to fit a client’s facial structure; shape or reshape frames by heating, shaping or bending plastic and metal frames
· Arrange and maintain optical merchandise displays
· Use lensometers or lens analyzers to determine current lens prescriptions for clients
· Advise clients on the correct procedures for wearing eyeglass and caring for the lens and frame
· Maintain records of client prescriptions, payments and work orders sent to the laboratory
· Verification of prescriptions with the examining ophthalmologist
· Make recommendations for specific types of lenses, lens coatings and frames according to the clients needs
· Place orders and purchase frames and lenses for the inventory
· Sell contact lenses, spectacles, sunglasses, cleaning kits and other products related to the eyes
· Repair damaged frames for clients
· Handle administrative duties that include tracking inventory, recording sales, submitting patient insurance information, bookkeeping and client records
· Fabricate lenses in accordance with prescription requirements
· Assemble eyeglasses by fitting lenses into frames; when required cut and edge lenses to fit frames
· Grind lenses and apply lens coating as required
· Perform and document repairs, calibration and testing of equipment

What Type of Degree is Needed To Be An Optical Technician

Optical technicians are also referred to as optical mechanics. They work in laboratories to produce contact lenses and prescription lenses for eyeglasses. Optical technicians also fabricate lenses for various optical instruments such as telescopes and binoculars. The majority of people employed in this position receive on-the job training; some attend community college or vocational schools to acquire training through job specific programs.

A degree education is ideal for the role, but employers for the most part, accept candidates for the position of optical technician, who have completed high school or general educational development (GED) diplomas. Optical technicians generally gain knowledge and experience on the job. Skills are learned while actually performing in the role of an optical technician.

Community colleges, vocational schools and technical schools offer certificate or associate degree programs that are geared to training people to become optical technicians. The optical laboratory technician certificate program helps to prepare students for an entry level position in independent, retail or wholesale laboratories. Basic and advanced ophthalmic optics programs generally run from six months to one year. Courses are made up of a combination of class work and laboratory work.

Community colleges and vocational schools offer courses that teach students skills in equipment operation for cutting, grinding, edging and finishing of lenses; how to use various equipments like automatic edgers and small hand tools; and how to read dispensing work orders correctly.

The associate of applied science in optical technology program provides instruction in mechanical optics, theoretical optics, lens design, eye anatomy, optical testing, optical physics and lens surfacing. The course prepares students to work in the field of precision optics. Students learn among other things to develop skills necessary for edging, curve generating, blocking, process control and testing methods related to their field. Other skills include the use of automation equipment, tooling, troubleshooting, testing and quality assessment to comply with customer specifications. Students are given an opportunity to receive hands-on training on industry specific equipment such as autocollimators, spectrometers, instructional interferometers and computer numerical control technology.

As part of the program, students need to complete a practicum (practical work) or capstone stone course, providing students with the opportunity to demonstrate that the goals of learning were achieved, as established by the program. The course has been designed for people employed in the field and wishing to add optics to their competence portfolio.

The optical systems technology certificate program offered by the Monroe community college, for example, offers students an education that prepares them for work in optical activities that include quality control, testing and production.

Optical technicians can further their education by attending an optical laboratory technician program. The course covers anatomy and physiology of the eye, optical theory, optical dispensing, chemical experience, ophthalmic optics, principles of management, opticianary laboratory and more. The certificate program is for durations of 12 months and the associate degree program is for durations of 24 months.

What Is The Salary Of An Optical Technician

Optical technicians are typically employed in ophthalmic laboratories to produce lenses in accordance with optical prescriptions. Optical technicians may also be employed in laboratories to fabricate lenses for optical instruments like binoculars and cameras. Expertise in handling a range of optical equipment to cut, grind, edge and finish lenses is mandatory in the job.

Optical laboratories that are independently owned or state owned, employ optical technicians. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports rapid growth in the demand for optical technicians. Growth is projected at 15 percent or more for the period 2008 to 2018. Growth is attributed to the increase in middle-aged and elderly populations requiring corrective vision. As the size of the population requiring various forms of corrective vision increases, so does the demand for optical technicians proportionately.

Optical technicians are also employed by companies that manufacture optical medical equipment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 35,200 people employed in the nation in this role in 2008. This figure almost doubled by 2010 to reach 62,200.

Optical Technician Wages

The average hourly rate for an optical technician ranges between $8.5 and $18; the hourly overtime rate for an optical technician ranges between $10 and $28.50. National annualized data shows that the bonus for an optical technician ranges between $99 and $2525 approximately. Overall annual pay scales range between $17,850 and $41,050 for an optical technician.

The median annual wage for an optical technician in 2008 was $34,800 and the median hourly wage was $16.73. Optical technicians who were employed in doctors’ offices, earned on average approximately $35,660 per year. Optical technicians employed by medical manufacturing companies earned on average approximately $28,620.

(Figures are approximate and have been rounded off to the nearest full number)

Salary levels for optical technicians are affected by the sector in which they are employed. For example, medical and surgical hospitals offer the best pay rates, followed by colleges, universities and professional schools. Federal agencies and doctors’ offices pay slightly lower figures, but not by a large margin on the pay scale. At the bottom of the payscale are the medical equipment and supplies manufacturing companies and the health and personal care stores.

Location can also impact the salary an optical technician earns. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Colorado is the highest wage earning state for optical technicians – the highest average annual wage an optical technician can earn in this states is reported at $41,280 as of May 2009. Colorado is followed by Massachusetts, New Mexico and New York. Minnesota and Arizona offer comparable pay levels while Florida offers a very low package of approximately $27,930 per annum.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Being An Optical Technician

In every job there are advantages and disadvantages; the same holds good for becoming an optical technician. The advantages include:

· Career options for an optical technician, as projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is on an upward trend with the numbers almost doubling in a two year period between 2008 and 2010.
· The healthcare industry continues to grow, and as the population ages, the increase in demand for optical technicians is on the rise.
· The pay scale on hourly and monthly basis is very good for optical technicians.
· The basic requirements for entering the ophthalmic field as an optical technician are minimal. A student can seek employment and gain on-the-job training. Further education while working is possible through certificate and associate degree programs ranging from 12 to 24 months, enhancing opportunities for better paying jobs.

The downside to becoming an optical technician may be attributed to the following negative aspects in the job:

· Working with a variety of cutting, grinding, edging and fabricating equipments constantly puts the individual at risk of injury.
· Some level of stress is experienced in following prescription orders to fabricate the exact specification lenses.
· Not all employers are willing to recruit high school graduates and provide on-the-job training. Some employers require that the individual obtain professional certification after the completion of a training program like a certificate course, or after receiving on-the-job training.
· The American Board of Opticianry administers the examination. Not everyone is interested in investing in education and certification, and this can limit the career options available to the individual.