Dispensing Optician Jobs

Dispensing opticians must have obtained the professional qualification of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.

Dispensing opticians are trained to grind, fit and dispense not only spectacles but also contact lenses, although special training is required for this, and other optical appliances. To do this, they must follow patient prescriptions written by the optometrist and eye surgeons. Dispensing opticians must also use their expertise to check that the supplies delivered meet the required specifications.

When making a pair of spectacles, the dispensing optician must not only take into consideration the prescription but also the patients occupation, lifestyle and facial features and consider how these things should affect their choice of spectacles or optical appliance, providing a comprehensive service to the patient to supply the best eye care possible.  After sales care is also a role the dispensing optician must fulfil, advising customers on repairs and/or adjustments to their spectacles.

Dispensing opticians should have good attention to detail with the ability to deal with scientific and mathematical information as well as an interest in working with people.

Within a private practice, a dispensing optician may also be required to possess the necessary business skills to assist with the running and maintain the viability of the practice.

Working closely with opticians, eye surgeons and patients, a dispensing optician must have established interpersonal skills in order to collect the correct information from all concerned, interpret that information correctly and apply this to the finished product to guarantee the customer receives excellent service.