Job Descriptions

Optician Job Description

What is the job description of an Optician? What are the duties and responsibilities of an Optician? What does an Optician do?

Job description of an Optician

Opticians, also known as dispensing opticians, are trained to dispense and fit spectacles and other optical aids, working from the prescriptions written by optometrists and ophthalmologists. Dispensing opticians advise patients on various types of lenses and spectacle frames, including advice on style, weight and colour.

They also advise patients on how to wear and care for their spectacles and, with further training as contact lens opticians (CLOs), their contact lenses.

This Optician job description example includes the list of most important Optician duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Optician profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Optician Duties and Responsibilities

Optician job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Liaising with sales representatives from vision care product suppliers;
  • With further training, fitting contact lenses and giving advice on their care and use;
  • Taking frame and facial measurements to ensure correct fit and positioning;
  • Interpreting optical prescriptions written by optometrists or ophthalmologists;
  • Checking lenses on delivery to ensure that they meet the required specifications;
  • Supervising and training trainee dispensing opticians.
  • Ordering lenses from prescription houses;
  • Giving advice to patients on lens type, frames and styling;
  • Arranging and maintaining shop displays;
  • Advising partially sighted patients on the use of low vision aids;
  • Advising patients when adjustments or repairs to spectacles are needed;
  • Selecting, managing and ordering a range of optical products;

Optician Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Optician job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • An Associate's degree or Certification in Opticianry.
  • On-the-job training and experience in clinical work.
  • A license or certification to practice as an Optician.
  • The ability to operate specialized equipment.
  • Excellent customer service and sales ability.

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Optician starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Optician job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of an Optician may also reference it in preparation for the interview.