What does an Optician do?
Opticians help patients to fit eyeglasses and contact lenses prescribed by ophthalmologists and optometrists. They also assist patients when deciding which eyeglass frames or contact lenses to purchase. They receive customer prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses and conduct relevant measurements of eyes and faces. They help patients choose special eyeglass frames and lens treatments including occupational use for sports, tinted lenses, or anti-reflective coatings.
Opticians create work orders for ophthalmologist laboratory technicians and provide information about the requested lenses. They adjust eyewear to ensure it is a suitable fit and repair or replace broken eyeglass frames. They educate patients about eyewear and show them how to care for it. They perform business tasks including maintaining sales records, keeping track of customer prescriptions, and ordering and maintaining inventory. Opticians need a high school diploma or equivalent and technical instruction and state certification.
- Assist customers with frame selection, fits and dispense frames.
- Monitor and achieve profit, sales and performance goals.
- Ensure compliance with all safety policies and procedures and working conditions for the entire operation.
- Prepare and position patient for diagnostic tests and procedures.
- Responsible for coordinating the day-to-day functions for assigned area.
- Provide supervision and development opportunities for associates by hiring and training, mentoring, assigning duties, providing recognition, and ensuring diversity awareness.
- Ensure all store associates achieve and maintain the highest level of customer service.
- Handle all location personnel functions, ensuring proper personnel coverage on a daily basis.
- Ensure the provision of quality eyewear by consulting with and educating members/customers, selecting products based on Member/Customer needs, obtaining measurements, verifying prescriptions, maintain, confidential information, perform minor frame repair, and maintain, optical equipment.
- Measure patients/customers for their eyewear and maintain product/optical knowledge through cont.
- Drive sales in the vision center by ensuring effective merchandise presentation, including accurate and competitive pricing, proper signing and in-stock and inventory levels. budgeting and forecasting sales.
- Communicate as necessary with the lab and optometrist to ensure accuracy of prescription.
- Work directly with customers to help meet all of their eyewear needs.
- Coach, motivate, and support associates to perform in their respective roles with excellence to ensure a flawless patient/customer experience.
- Use sound judgment to remove obstacles and find resolution in the patient/customer experience.
- Certification as an optician.
- A professional at all times with solid computing skills and product knowledge.
- A critical thinker and problem solver.
- Comfortable collaborating and leading when necessary.
- Fluency in HIPAA protocols and procedures.
- Is good with customers and Demonstrated a positive attitude and sense of humor on the job.
Optician Salaries near United Kingdom
Average Base Pay
Optician Career Path
Learn how to become an Optician, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Optician Insights
Pearle Vision“It was fun frame styling and getting to know patients and the bonus pay was nice.”
LensCrafters“This job is good to have if you’re looking for something that is full or part time with reasonable hours.”
Warby Parker“The best part is there is no stress and I always feel appreciated and valued.”
Walmart“Pay is decent and some of the people you work with are good people/make the job better.”
National Vision“I enjoy helping patients and I enjoy learning so it is an opportunity for both.”
State of California“Good retirement plan (many private sector jobs don't have any retirement plans...).”
Safer Foundation“It’s a great startup if you are trying to advance your career into Law Enforcement.”
Specsavers“My bonus wasn't as good as others as I refused to lie to customers.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of an Optician
When working as an Optician, the most common skills you will need to perform your job and for career success are Advocacy, Schedules, Strong WORK Ethic, Computer Literacy and Windows 10.
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The most common qualifications to become an Optician is a minimum of a GED / High School Degree and an average of 0 - 1 of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.
