Optometric Technician
Medical Assisting Careers › Optometric
Technician
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Job Description
Optometric Technicians function as the vital support
team in an optometrist’s office. In order to maintain
an efficient and orderly clinical environment, these
paraprofessionals perform a wide range of duties: explaining
treatment procedures to patients, keeping track of inventories,
providing styling and fitting guidance in the frames
department, ordering lenses and other products, as well
as office management work such as patient reception.
And due to their comprehensive formal training, Optometric
Technicians are able to test vision acuity, depth perception,
color vision, and internal pressure. Plus, they may
administer certain vision therapy treatments under the
supervision of the optometrist. So if you want to help
people see better while working in a clean, comfortable
optometrist’s office, a career as an Optometric
Technician is right for you. Check out these schools
who offer training programs—requesting more information
is free!
Work Environment
The vast majority of Optometric Technicians work standard
40-hour weeks in private optometrist practices. As these
are clinical environments, the surroundings are well-lit,
comfortable, and spotlessly clean. The work is not physically
demanding, although attention to detail and sufficient
manual dexterity are required.
Education and Training Requirements
In order to become an Optometric Technician, you need
to complete a 1 to 2-year training program that awards
either a Diploma or Associate of Science Degree in the
field. Curriculums typically include everything from
eye anatomy and basic optics to lens finishing, ophthalmic
procedures, and optical first aide. There may also be
required courses in general business or science areas.
The majority of optometrists require their OTs to be
certified, and there are a number of governing bodies
that offer certification: the American Board of Opticianry
(ABO) and the American Optometric Association, Paraoptometric
Division, are two of the best-known. Once certified,
an Optometric Technician earns the title of Opt.T.R.
Salary Range
According to information cited by the Indiana School
of Optometry, the average annual salary in 2002 was
$31,000.
Job Outlook
The employment outlook for Optometric Technicians is
favorable due to the need for vision-care services by
the increased proportion of older individuals in the
national population.
California
Academy
of Professional Careers
(San
Diego
, San
Marcos
) - Optical Technician.
National
Career Education
( Citrus Heights) - Optical/Optometric Assistant
Pennsylvania
Central
Pennsylvania College
( Summerdale
)
- Optometric Technician
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