Opticia
Miami Dade College
Opticianry
An Optician is a vision expert; a health professional specially trained to supply, prepare, and dispense optical appliances through interpretation of written prescriptions. An Optician is an integral part of the vision care experience that adheres to exacting standards in order to enhance your vision. In this field, the optician responsibilities are finishing and fitting eyeglass lenses, frames, and contact lenses. An Optician turn the Doctor’s prescription into the glasses or contact lenses the patient or customer need to make their vision the best it can be. An optician can also dispense low vision aids and artificial eyes.
Education and Training Requirement Becoming an optician, most opticians have at least a high school diploma. Opticians typically learn job skills through formal on-the-job programs. This training includes technical instruction in which, for example, new opticians measure a customer’s eyes or adjust frames under the supervision of an experienced optician. Trainees also learn sales and office management practices. A number of community colleges and technical schools offer formal education in opticianry. Some award an associate’s degree, which takes two years. Others offer a certificate, which takes one year. As of 2010, the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation accredited twenty one associate's degree programs in fourteen states. Miami Dade College is one of the institution that offers the Opticianry program. The admission criteria for the program is to obtain college level placement in PERT and GPA 2.0 Coursework includes classes in optics, anatomy, Geometry, Data collection, eye physiology, and business management, among others. Also, students do supervised clinical work that gives them hands-on experience working as opticians and learning optical mathematics, optical physics, and the use of precision measuring instruments. Through clinical training, students also have opportunities to learn about polishing, hand beveling, heat treatment, tinting and fitting glasses. Some programs have distance-learning options. Courses in physics, basic anatomy, algebra, and trigonometry are particularly valuable. The durations of the program length is twenty months. After completion of the program, by Law you are required to do the (ABO exam) American Board of Opticianry, having passed the AOB exams, you will now be issued with a licenses. Employers may require prospective opticians to be certified by the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners
Licenses and Continuing Education Twenty-three states require all Opticians to be licensed. Licensure usually requires completing formal education through an approved program or completing an apprenticeship. To be licensed as an optician the states requires opticians to pass one or more of the following (depending on the state). A state written exams, a state practical exam, or a certification exam. In most states, opticians must renew their licenses periodically, and they must take continuing education. To be eligible to take the licensing exam, prospective opticians must meet the requirements of the individual state, which usually include graduating from a formal training program and/or having experience through an apprenticeship. Licensed opticians may be required to complete a set number of continuing education hours per year or biennial renewal period.
New License Board in Florida The Florida Board of Opticianry voted in November 2011 to begin using the National Optician’s Practical Examination developed by the National Commission of State Opticianry and Regulatory Boards (NCSORB) for the Florida Opticianry licensure examination.
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The NCSORB National Optician’s Practical Examination is given in computer testing centers on a year round basis throughout the United States in a multiple-choice and skill simulation format.
The NCSORB National Optician’s Practical Examination is two-part, one for spectacles and one for contact lenses. An applicant must receive a passing score on both parts to obtain licensure as an Optician in Florida.

Earn ABO and NCLE Certifications A Certification is not required in most state, but it does demonstrate expertise, and most employers prefer to hire certified opticians. Even in states that do not required licensure, opticians may be consider earning the basic and advanced certifications offered through the American Board of Opticianary for glasses and National contact lens exams for contact lenses. To sit for basic exam, applicants are only required to be 18 or older, though in states with higher minimum requirements for opticians, the ABO-NCLE follows state requirements. The advanced certification requires individuals to hold several years of experience and to complete an advanced education.
Characteristics and Qualities Opticians must be able to listen carefully to what customers want. They must be able to explain options and instruction for care in ways that customers understand. Most Opticians work in stores, they must answer questions and know about the products they sell. They interact with the customers on a personal level, fitting eyeglasses or contact lenses. For an Optician to succeed they must be friendly, courteous, patient and helpful.
: Opticians are often responsible for the business aspects of running an optical store. In other word they should be comfortable making decisions and have some knowledge of sales and inventory management. Opticians frequently use special tools to make final adjustments and repair to the eye glasses. They must have good hand-eye coordination to do that work quickly and accurately. Awareness of current trends is also needed.
Job Duties Opticians are responsible for using precision equipment to measure various eye features, including corneal thickness and pupil distance. Patient information is then provided to lab technicians to create properly fitted frames. Opticians also make suggestions about frame shapes, styles and colors, lenses and special lens coatings, such as anti-glare materials. Some opticians are also responsible for grinding and tinting lenses, repairing glasses and fitting contacts.
Some offices may require opticians to perform front-desk duties and fill out insurance claims. Strong customer services and a professional appearance are also mandatory.
Career and Job Opportunities Opticians work in eyeglass stores, optical, optical laboratory, optometry, or with ophthalmologists in medical offices. While many offices are generally open during normal business hours, some retail outlets may require employees to work nights and weekends. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job prospects are expected to rise 23% between 2012 and 2022, because of the aging U.S. population and their need for eyewear (www.bls.gov). As of 2013, the BLS reports that the median salary for dispensing opticians was $33,770. There is also a great opportunity to own your own business the reason why I was interested in joining the program.. After obtaining your associate degree and license, you can actually start your own business is you are financial stable.

References
United States Department of Labour. (2014). Opticians, Dispensing. In Occupational outlook handbook. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/opticians-dispensing.htm
Florida Board of Opticianry. (2014). Licensing and Registration. In Opticial establishment. Retrieved from http://floridasopticianry.gov/licensing/opticial-establishment/
American Board of Opticianry. (2014) About ABO and NCLE. In Who is ABO – NCLE? Retrieved from http://www.aboncle.org/ABO/Consumer/About_ABO___NCLE/ABO/About/About_ABO
American Board of Opticianry. (2014). Consumer. In Why use a Certified Optician or Certified Contact Lens dispenser. Retrieved from . http://www.abo-ncle.org/ABO/Consumer/Why_Use_a_Certified_Optician_/ABO/Consumer/Why_Use_a_Certified.aspx?hkey=1b4cef3f-febb-4601-b690-d677758cf494.
American Board of Opticianry. (2014).Education. In Course Criteria. Retrieved from http://www.aboncle.org/ABO/Education/Education_Provers/Course_Criteria/ABO/ContentAreas/Course_Criteria.aspx?hkey=052f637b-8a2a-4e8e-9d87-60c76091bbc5.
Health Care Salary online.(2014).Optician.In Optician Job Description. Retrieved from http://www.healthcaresalaryonline.com/optician-job-description.html.