Optician Assistant Training
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Train online, with four Saturdays in a classroom, toward becoming an Optician Assistant working directly under the supervision of a Dispensing Optician. On the last day of class – we’ll make arrangements enabling you to physically hand your resume to local business owners! You’ll enjoy this career path if you think guiding customers to make both function and style choices would be fun, and are motivated to excel in customer satisfaction.
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](/professional/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/01/Andrew-Headshot-250x310.jpg)
Andrew S. Bruce, LDO, ABOM, NCLEC
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.
Upcoming courses
Don’t see the course you want? Contact us for more information.
Register now
- Find the CRN of your course from the class schedule.
- Then, register:
- Online: Visit the Continuing Education registration page. If this is your first time registering, create an account. If you are a returning student, click on “Register in MyPCC”.
- Phone: Call 971-722-8888, option 2.
Need help? Get detailed information on how to register and how to pay or contact us at bem.hanamoto@pcc.edu or 971-722-6626.
From the IHP blog
Unlocking Your Career: Optician Assistant Training at PCC
- Fri, 13 Oct 2023
- In bustling Portland, a promising career awaits in the field of Optician Assistance. At PCC, you can kickstart your journey with just one term in our Optician Assistant Training program. By the program's end, you can even hand your resume to a potential employer.
Explore the Optician Assistant Training program at PCC
- Mon, 03 May 2021
- There's a growing field in Portland that you've got to see to believe! No, really! At PCC you can get started in a career as an Optician Assistant after just one term in the Optician Assistant Training program. On the last day of class you can turn your resume in to a potential employer.
Instructor Spotlight: Andrew Bruce, Master Optician
- Thu, 13 Feb 2020
- With a background as an optician dating back to his teenage years in his home country of England, Andrew Bruce is highly skilled in the industry and is honored to be a Master Optician. Continue reading to learn more about his experience and passion for the Optician Assistant Training program.
- View more ...