Job description Licensed Optician in British Columbia

Find out what work is like for a licensed optician in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Opticians (NOC 32100).

Opticians

Description

Opticians assist clients in the selection of eyeglass frames, take the necessary measurements and arrange for the production of eyeglasses or contact lenses, mount lenses in eyeglass frames and fit clients with final prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. They are employed in optical retail outlets or other establishments with optical dispensing departments, or they may be self-employed. Student opticians and opticians who are managers of optical retail outlets are included in this unit group.

Work week duration

Opticians usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week.
Between 35 to 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Opticians have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Obtain specifications for eyeglasses or contact lenses from a prescription prepared by an ophthalmologist or optometrist or by analyzing the client's eyeglasses or contact lenses and take necessary measurements including the curvature of the eyes, the accurate position of the pupils and bridge width, using optical measuring devices
  • Advice clients on eyeglasses selection by informing them of different products such as lens materials, frames, tints and anti-reflection coating
  • Adjust contact lenses and inform client on use and care
  • Grind, polish, cut and edge lenses or have them made by a laboratory before inserting them into the frame
  • Adjust finished eyeglasses to fit client
  • May supervise or manage the activities of other opticians or student opticians.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Handling material manually
  • Standing
  • Making repetitive motions
  • Sitting

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Opticians are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Optical dispensing departments of retail establishments
  • Optical retail outlets
  • Self-employed

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Indoors, environmentally controlled

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Physically touching or very close

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 32100), and a list of similar occupations:

  • contact lens fitter
  • contact lens practitioner
  • dispensing optician
  • licensed optician
  • optician

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Opticians in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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