Durham Technical Community College Opticianry Durham Technical Community College

What is an optician? An eyecare professional specially trained to fit, manufacture, and dispense visual aid through the interpretation of a prescription.

Optician duties include: Fit and adjusting frames Fit Contact lenses Take facial measurements Aid the patient in the selection of lens treatments and/or designs Repair frames Educate the patient about eyewear Maintain records (sales, prescriptions, inventory) Surfacing and finishing of lenses Apply lens treatments Inspect lenses (ANSI standards) Inspect contact lenses

Work environment Opticians typically work in pleasant/professional setting large optical chain stores private OD or MD practice optical boutique Lab

Optical Lab

Careers of the field Dispensing optician Store manager Sales representative Lab tech Optometric/ophthalmic assistant Contact lens tech Ocularist Trainer/teacher

$$$ According to glassdoor.com, the national average salary is $41,670 and the Raleigh- Durham average salary is $51,386 http://www1.salary.com/NC/Optician-salary.html

Licensed states Alaska New Jersey Arizona New York Arkansas North Carolina California Ohio Connecticut Rhode Island Florida South Carolina Georgia Tennessee Hawaii Vermont Kentucky Virginia Massachusetts Washington Nevada Puerto Rico

How do I become an Optician? High school graduate Successfully complete a 2 year Opticianry program accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation Serve a 3.5 year apprenticeship and complete either a certificate program offered by an accredited Opticianry program or the career progression program offered by the National Academy of Opticianry Pass national examinations administered by The American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners Complete a 6 month internship while registered with the board under supervision of an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or a licensed dispensing optician http://www.opticians.nc.gov/Licensure.aspx

About the program at Durham Technical Community College Durham Tech’s Opticianry program is compromised of online and in-class courses. It is a Hybrid program. It offers hand on training and prepares you for exams needed for licensure. It offer flexibility for those whom can not attend weekly by offering a monthly lab. Durham tech features an on-site Optical shop where students can gain experience by practicing with real patients. The program also provides externships where students gain practice and knowledge from a local business. https://www.durhamtech.edu/health/opticianryplans.htm

https://www.durhamtech.edu/health/opticianryplans.htm

Optician Organizations American Board of Opticianry: examine and certify opticians Commission on Opticianry Accreditation: Accredits Opticianry training in the US and sets educational standards Contact lens Society of America- dedicated to education, evolution, and promotion of contact lens technology National Academy of Opticianry organization dedicated to education and training of all Opticians National Federation of Opticianry Schools: dedicated to the promotion of formal Opticianry education by accredited institutions North Carolina State Board of Opticianry http://www.ncopticiansboard.org/

References http://www.oaa.org/opticianry-defined/what-is-opticianry http://www.eyecareprofessions.com/opticians/licensed-opticians.html https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/licensed-optician-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm http://www1.salary.com/NC/Optician-salary.html https://www.durhamtech.edu/health/opticianryfaq.htm https://www.durhamtech.edu/health/opticianryplans.htm