HealthcareISCO 3254
Optician
Opticians help to improve and correct an individual's vision. They fit spectacle lenses and frames, contact lenses, and other devices according to the specifications of the individual. Their scope of practice varies according to national regulations and they might operate according to prescriptions provided by a specialised doctor in ophthalmology or an optometrist in the countries where requested.
Check yourself in a minute: optician
Rate 5 of the 48 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
respond to changing situations in health care
educate on the prevention of illness
fit low vision aids
operate cash register
sell optical products
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (48)
health care legislationhealth care legislationThe patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.optical glass characteristicsoptical glass characteristicsThe characteristics of optical glass such as refractive index, dispersion, and chemical properties.eye protection regulationseye protection regulationsEye protection regulations and relevant standards in relation to occupational visual requirements.optical instrumentsoptical instrumentsThe characteristics and usage of optical instruments such as lens-meter, to determine refractive power of lenses such as glasses.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.educate on the prevention of illnesseducate on the prevention of illnessOffer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and healt...fit low vision aidsfit low vision aidsAssure the proper specialised visual appliance is fitted for the partially sighted person.operate cash registeroperate cash registerRegister and handle cash transactions by using point of sale register.sell optical productssell optical productsSell glasses and sunglasses, contact lenses, spectacles, binoculars, cleaning kits and other eye-related products, according to customer's needs in terms of optical requirements such as bi-focals, var...handle contact lenseshandle contact lensesDemonstrate how to insert, remove and care for contact lenses; ensure that contact lenses will fit correctly and feel comfortable.adjust eyeglassesadjust eyeglassesShape and bend plastic or metal eyeglass frames in order to adjust eyeglasses to fit customers using pliers and hands and applying heat if necessary.maintain relationship with customersmaintain relationship with customersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and servic...empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...use lensometeruse lensometerUse a lensometer to take measurements for clients who do not have a prescription in order to make eyeglasses and lenses.maintain relationship with suppliersmaintain relationship with suppliersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.monitor stock levelmonitor stock levelEvaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, wr...prepare optical laboratory activitiesprepare optical laboratory activitiesPrepare and oversee work scheme and day-to-day activities for the optical laboratory.deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.advise customers on eyewear maintenanceadvise customers on eyewear maintenanceProvide customers with detailed advice on the correct use and maintenance of eyewear.apply numeracy skillsapply numeracy skillsPractise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.operate optical measuring equipmentoperate optical measuring equipmentOperate optical measuring equipment to take client's measurements. Determine bridge and eye size, papillary distance, vertex distance, optical eye centres, etc., in order to manufacture customised eye...dispense corrective lensesdispense corrective lensesDispense eyeglasses and contact lenses according to doctors' prescriptions.repair lensesrepair lensesRepair or replace damaged lenses for customers' spectacles.perform frames' repairsperform frames' repairsRepair/replace damaged frames or glasses for customers.advise on healthcare users' informed consentadvise on healthcare users' informed consentEnsure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.verify lenses complianceverify lenses complianceVerify that lenses are according to the specifications.comply with optical prescriptionscomply with optical prescriptionsInterpret and coordinate frames and eye measurements in accordance with the customer's optical prescriptions.cut lenses for eyeglassescut lenses for eyeglassesShape and cut lenses to fit into frames for eyeglasses, according to prescriptions or specifications.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.maintain records of clients' prescriptionsmaintain records of clients' prescriptionsKeep records of customers' prescriptions, payments and work orders sent to the laboratory.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...process paymentsprocess paymentsAccept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attent...achieve sales targetsachieve sales targetsReach set sales goals, measured in revenue or sold units. Reach the target within a specific timeframe, prioritise sold products and services accordingly and plan in advance.interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...make referrals to ophthalmologymake referrals to ophthalmologyTransfer the care of a patient to the ophthalmology service, the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye.advise on contact lense maintenanceadvise on contact lense maintenanceAdvise patients on how to clean and wear contact lenses to maximise lifespan and minimise risk of complications.apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
Optional (8) — show
inform policy makers on health-related challengesinform policy makers on health-related challengesProvide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.advise customers on optical instruments maintenanceadvise customers on optical instruments maintenanceProvide customers with advice on the correct use and maintenance of other optical instruments such as binoculars, sextants, night vision, etc.provide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthprovide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthIdentify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.use foreign languages for health-related researchuse foreign languages for health-related researchUse foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.
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Frequently asked questions
What does an optician do?
Opticians help to improve and correct an individual's vision. They fit spectacle lenses and frames, contact lenses, and other devices according to the specifications of the individual. Their scope of practice varies according to national regulations and they might operate according to prescriptions provided by a specialised doctor in ophthalmology or an optometrist in the countries where requested.
What skills does an optician need?
An optician needs 48 essential skills, including health care legislation, optical glass characteristics, eye protection regulations, optical instruments, respond to changing situations in health care.
Will AI replace optician jobs?
The AI disruption score for optician is 32/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: operate cash register, monitor stock level, manage healthcare users' data. Most resilient: empathise with the healthcare user, deal with emergency care situations, develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship.
AI Replacement Risk
32/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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