Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

The job

An Optician Assistant designs, measures, fits, and dispenses corrective lenses for the correction of a person’s vision. It requires a keen eye for fashion and attention to detail, combined with great communication and people skills. Optician Assistants are trained to be “ophthalmic lens experts.” Through evaluation of the eyeglass prescription, in conjunction with the patient’s vocational and avocational visual requirements, they recommend specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames.

As an Optician Assistant, you will:

• Combine a reasonable level of math and science to measure, fit, and dispense corrective lenses
• Utilize a keen eye for fashion when assisting customers with frame selection
• Align the customer’s style with attention to the functional detail of vocational and avocational prescription requirements, including specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames
• Fit and repair eyewear to provide optimum comfort and function by molding and re-shaping frames using appropriate tools
• Interpret written prescriptions, take facial measurements, and determine correct frame sizes

The State of Oregon Employment Department reports that in 2019, Dispensing Opticians in Oregon were paid an average of $20.89 per hour, with a median wage of $18.91 an hour.

Enroll in the Optician Assistant training program to gain the skills and know-how to prepare you for this fun and fulfilling career.

The program

The Institute for Health Professionals’ Optician Assistant training program consists of online “live” lecture, onsite classroom instruction, and onsite lab hours for practical training. It will provide a solid foundation of the skills required for an entry-level position as an optician assistant. On the last day, we’ll arrange a visit from local business owners for an optical job fair. This will provide you with the opportunity to personally hand off a physical copy of your resume to a prospective employer.

You will gain a basic understanding of:

• Optical principles; terminology
• Frame measurements used in making eyeglasses
• Informational markings on frames
• The anatomical measurements needed to fabricate eyeglasses
• Ocular anatomy
• Ophthalmic lens dispensing
• Math for opticians
• Important cosmetic considerations in frame selection.
• Procedures to order and verify prescriptions from an optical laboratory
• Professional practices and privacy policies (HIPAA)

After completion of the program, you will be able to:

• Create work orders for ophthalmic laboratory technicians, providing information about the lenses needed
• Describe ophthalmic lens design and apply basic math formulas related to ophthalmic lenses
• Measure the interpupillary distance (PD) and optical center heights (OC)
• Measure multifocal heights for lenses and understand the variations depending on multi-focal style
• Insert lenses into different types of frames
• Adjust frames to “standard alignment”
• Custom-fit plastic and metal frames to provide both functional and comfortably fitting eyewear
• Adjust temples and nose pads for maximum comfort
• Explain how the principles of reflection and refraction are applied in ophthalmic lenses
• Explain how lens curvature is used to correct vision
• Understand practical applications of eyewear adjustments and repairs including the use of specialty eyewear tools
• Perform basic frame repairs

If you are seeking an entry-level, front-line position within a health and retail setting, this program may be for you.

Recommended texts

Brooks & Borish: System for Ophthalmic Dispensing, 3rd ed. (available at Amazon)

Additional requirements

• Access to PCC online learning course
• Computer headset or applicable audio

The investment

Time

• 1 term/10 weeks
• Classroom hours total: 27
• Webinar hours total: 18
• Total instruction hours: 45
• Tuition: $1199 total, excluding books

The instructor

Andrew S. Bruce began his optical career in his home country of England, before immigrating into the United States in 1987. He is a Washington State licensed Dispensing Optician and Contact Lens Fitting Specialist, with a Master’s in Ophthalmic Optics. He’s an advanced level approved speaker for The American Board of Opticianry Continuing Education Programs. His educational papers in his field of expertise have been published in the USA and Europe. Bruce is also an approved speaker for both The American Optometric Association CPC Continuing Education, and The National Contact Lens Examiners. His written works are used as instructional and reference materials by Highline Community College’s Dispensing Optician Program. He is a regular contributing writer for Jobson Publications, and has written Continuing Education programs for both The National Academy of Opticianry and The Opticians Association of Washington.­ He serves as the Technical Education Consultant for VSP Optics and University. When he isn’t instructing, he is practicing photography and training for marathons.

FAQs

Can I use federal financial aid?

No, federal financial aid does not apply to non-credit courses. Students are required to pay, in full, once they are notified of their acceptance into the program.

Is there a clinical or internship available?

There is no clinical or internship requirement.

How long does this course take to complete?

This course is one term in length. Most sessions are delivered in a live online, real-time lecture model for instructor-student interaction, along with office hours for additional support. Students will meet three Saturdays during the 10-week term for hands-on skills training with the instructor.