Optician

Duties and responsibilities: A dispensing optician is trained to dispense and fit spectacles and other optical aids, working from the prescriptions written by optometrists and ophthalmologists. Dispensing opticians advise patients on various types of lenses and spectacle frames, including advice on style, weight and colour. They advise patients on how to wear and care for their spectacles and, with further training as contact lens opticians (CLOs), their contact lenses. The majority of dispensing opticians work in high street outlets for large, multiple-chain optician stores or for independent practices. The role requires extensive use of technical expertise and good customer service skills. Selling is an important part of the job.

Salary: $44,605

Education: While some opticians enter the profession with only high school diplomas, most employers prefer applicants with opticianry certificates or associate's degrees. Associate's degree programs in opticianry prepare students with the job skills needed for an entry-level position in the field. Courses may include optical theory, ophthalmic dispensing, lens technology, finishing procedures and an optical laboratory. Opticians may also gain training through apprenticeship programs, which are often offered by large employers and tend to last two or more years.

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