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TRAITS
for
Success |
 |
work well with people of all ages
good listener
value accuracy
well-developed manual dexterity |
 |
 |
|
 |
pticians can be described as
visual pharmacists. They fill |
| prescriptions of optometrists and
ophthalmologists |
| (physicians specializing in eye care). They do not
examine eyes or prescribe lenses, but they help patients select eyeglasses
according to their lifestyle, occupation and facial features. They
prepare the order according to the prescription, curvature placement, style,
color, materials and size for the lenses. Special equipment is used to
cut, grind, edge, and finish these eyeglasses. They verify the
prescription after it is filled and adjust the glasses to fit the
customer's face. Opticians, sometimes called ophthalmic dispensing
technicians, often do their own laboratory work. Office
management, sales, and repairs are also part of their daily routine.
Opticians can also fit contact lenses under the supervision of an
optometrist or ophthalmologist. Licensed opticians can also open their
own eyeglass business. |
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Average Starting Salary $33,280
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| |
| Work Environment |
| Department stores |
| Manufacturers |
| Offices of
ophthalmologists and |
| optometrists |
| Retail chain stores |
| Self-employed |
| Wholesale labs |
| |
| Academic Requirements |
| A high school diploma or
equivalent |
| is required.
Requirements vary by |
| employer, but on-the-job
training |
| includes two years of
experience |
| under a licensed
optician, optometrist |
| or ophthalmologist.
Some colleges |
| offer two-year diploma
and |
| associate degree
programs. |
| |
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| |
| Licensure, Certification and |
| Registration |
| Upon completion of
training/education, |
| opticians must pass the
National |
| Opticianry Competency
Examination, |
| the Contact Lens Registry
Examination |
| and the State Practical
Examination in |
| order to be licensed as a
dispensing |
| optician. Upon
passing the examination, |
| they become Licensed
Dispensing Opticians |
| (LDOs).
Certification is available through |
| the American Board of
Opticianry and |
| the National Contact Lens
Examiners. |
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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
|
Diploma |
Associates Degree |
|
DeKalb Technical College |
DeKalb Technical College |
|
Ogeechee Technical College |
Ogeechee Technical College |
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