What is an Optician? I’d say a jack of all trades. According to Wikipedia, “An optician is a specialized practitioner who designs, fits and dispenses lenses for the correction of a person’s vision”. In theory that sounds nice, but in practice it’s only a very small part.
My Story
It began over 20 years ago. I was a recent graduate of a Fashion Merchandising school and answered an ad for a Frame Consultant in an Ophthalmology practice. Learning the profession was fun and rewarding.
I had the good fortune of working alongside some wonderful employer’s and staff. My most memorable and generous employer was a very involved owner/doctor and he was great. We saw substantial growth due to our teams efforts and I learned a lot about how to grow and manage a private practice within a team environment. I worked for him 12 years and would still be there if I didn’t have to relocate for family reasons.
The Private Practice
I’m finding more and more private practices are under staffed. The Optician is now expected to be the Receptionist, Insurance Biller and Exam Technician/Pre-Tester. Be prepared to work hard and still remain pleasant, helpful and accurate. A happy work environment becomes more difficult because of this added stress.
Ask lots of questions at your interview, but I suggest you also talk with current employee’s before accepting any job. High turn-over of staff is a red flag for any job position.
Questions to Ask Potential Co-Workers
- How long have they been there?
- Do they have office/staff meetings?
- Does management ask for their input?
- Is staff input implemented?
- Do they feel over-worked?
- Are there clear job descriptions in place?
Creating your own list of questions, tailored toward your personality and career goals, will help you decide whether you should dedicate your time and hard work to them or keep looking for some place better suited for you. If you’re like me, once you’ve committed to an employer, it’s hard to make a change.
