Optician job description template
If you are hiring for this role, start here. This free template is our detailed definition of the position, with everything you need to find and hire the right person. Copy it, add your own requirements, and post it.
What is an Optician?
Opticians are professionals responsible for making and repairing eyeglasses and contact lenses for patients based on their vision needs.
They help patients choose frames, colors, and anti-reflective coatings, but also sports eyewear and sunglasses.
Opticians typically work in retail optical stores, lens fitting laboratories, and optical instruments companies.
They often work with other opticians, assistants, and optometric technicians.
The top Optician skills.
Five things separate a strong hire from a résumé that reads well. Use these as your scorecard criteria.
The job description, ready to post.
Copy it as written, or edit it until it sounds like your company. Both work.
We are hiring a professional Optician who will join our team and assist people in fixing their sight. Opticians’ job entails helping visually-challenged people select the appropriate pair of glasses, lenses, frames, colors, antireflective coatings, and even sports glasses and sunglasses. In this position, you will also be responsible for creating glasses and lenses in the laboratory, as well as repairing or replacing broken glasses or frames.
The main purpose of this job is to provide patients with the proper and accurate usage and care of their eyewear. Your duty will also be to explain and demonstrate the use and care mentioned above. Our suitable candidate has an eye for detail, amazing customer service, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the skills that we are looking for are a great organization and time management.
Duties and responsibilities
- Help patients select and fit the right pair of eyeglasses and contact lenses
- Take patients’ information and review eye examinations
- Help patients choose frames, colors, lens treatments, sports eyewear, and sunglasses based on their needs and style preferences
- Prepare eyeglasses and lens orders for the optometric laboratory
- Adjust the eyewear until it fits perfectly
- Repair or replace broken frames or glasses
- Keep track of patients’ prescriptions
- Educate and inform patients about eyewear
- Demonstrate and explain the appropriate use and care of eyeglasses and lenses
- Cut, grind, and polish the lens edges
- Use specialized equipment (calipers, lensometers…)
- Supervise the activities and performance of optometric assistants and technicians
- Order and maintain inventory
Requirements
- A state license or appropriate certification to practice as an Optician
- Training and knowledge of fitting contact lenses and eyeglasses
- The ability to operate specialized equipment and instruments
- Strong attention to detail
- Customer service and communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
Take the template with you
Copy it straight into your job board or ATS, or have it emailed to you with the interview questions for this role.
Degree first, then the certification.
The majority of employers prefer candidates with at least an associate’s degree in opticianry.
An appropriate training program or certification that proves the candidate is knowledgeable about fitting lenses, eyeglasses, and usage of the equipment and instruments is preferred.
Nonetheless, requirements vary from state to state.
There are retail optical businesses that offer an on-the-job experience for candidates who would like to continue their careers in optical stores.
This experience helps them learn about retail business, as well as keeping records, maintaining inventory, and many more.
American Board of Opticianry Certification
Demonstrates knowledge and skills in optical dispensing and patient care.
American Board of OpticianrySample interview questions for an Optician.
Once you have gathered the applications, work through these in order. Twelve questions across four areas, enough to tell your shortlist apart.
- What are your career goals for the next 10 years or so?
- What do you enjoy most about being an Optician?
- Have you ever helped your friends or family members choose the right eyewear?
- Could you briefly walk us through your working experience so far?
- Is there anything you disliked about your prior workplace?
- Do you have any specific salary expectations?
- How would you explain the difference between an optician and an optometrist?
- Do you prefer working in an optical store or in a healthcare facility? Why?
- How comfortable are you as a leader?
- What is the difference between bifocal and progressive lenses and their use?
- How do you ensure the customer’s eyeglasses or lenses are fitted perfectly?
- Have you ever worked with children? How do you feel about working with them?
How much to pay when hiring.
Annual pay by percentile. Where you land depends on the size of the cycle they will own, and the 25th percentile is usually where a first analyst hire sits.
Hourly equivalents run from $14 at the 10th percentile to $29 at the 90th.
Candidates may apply under a different name.
Post the title your industry uses and keep the rest of the description. These three roles overlap enough that the same posting usually reaches all of them.
Three titles, one description.
Search behavior varies by industry, so the same job is advertised under several names. If you are unsure which one your candidates search for, run two titles and see which fills.
Orthoptist
Frequently asked questions.
What are the differences between an Optician and an Optometrist?
Several important factors distinguish an Optician from an Optometrist.
First of all, Opticians usually need a High school diploma or an Associate’s degree combined with appropriate training or certification to practice opticianry.
On the other hand, Optometrists are healthcare professionals who are doctors of optometry.
Opticians cannot prescribe medications, give diagnoses, or perform eye examinations.
Optometrists, however, are specialized in determining patients’ prescription needs and identifying eye conditions, such as cataracts or glaucoma.
Who do Opticians work with?
Opticians work with assistants and optometric technicians to provide the best service and assistants and patients and customers.
They may also report to Optical Managers.
Where can Opticians work?
Opticians can work in optical retail stores, ophthalmology offices, optometric offices, optical laboratories, optical instruments companies, etc.
How much do Opticians earn annually?
The average annual salary for Opticians is approximately $47,005.
Other job description templates.
Same format, same free, same median pay data. Browse the full library if the role you are hiring for is not here.
Optometrist
An Optometrist is a healthcare professional specializing in examining, diagnosing, and managing vision problems and eye conditions.
$124,213 median