Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Course Advisor; United States; On-site; USD 22,360 - 50,200; Full time

Job summary

Course Advisor is hiring an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician to cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses and contact lenses. The role requires the ability to mount lenses into frames and utilize precision tools such as grinders and lens machines. Candidates should demonstrate strong skills in quality control and time management. This career shows promising growth, with a current salary range of $22,360 to $50,200 annually depending on experience and location.

Qualifications

• Experience in cutting, grinding, and polishing optical elements.
• Ability to mount lenses into frames using precision tools.
• Strong attention to detail and quality control skills.

Responsibilities

• Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in machines.
• Lay out lenses and trace outlines on glass.
• Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws and ensure quality.

Skills

Operation and Control

Operation Monitoring

Quality Control Analysis

Time Management

Monitoring

Judgment and Decision Making

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Outlook

Electronic medical record (EMR) software

Job description

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician Overview

Cut, grind, polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical components using precision lens polishers, grinders, centerer-edders, and lens mounters.

Responsibilities

• Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
• Lay out lenses and trace lens outlines on glass, using templates.
• Position and adjust cutting tools to specified curvature, dimensions, and depth of cut.
• Repair broken parts, using precision hand tools and soldering irons.
• Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
• Select lens blanks, molds, tools, and polishing or grinding wheels, according to production specifications.

Key Skills

• Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
• Monitoring: Monitoring and assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Tools & Technologies Used

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Electronic medical record (EMR) software

Demand & Job Growth

In the United States, there were 29,100 jobs for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.7%, which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,400 new jobs for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician by 2026, and estimates 3,700 yearly job openings in this field. The states with the most job growth are Utah, North Dakota, and Kentucky. States with the lowest growth include Vermont, Massachusetts, and South Dakota.

Salary Range

The average yearly salary of an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician ranges between $22,360 and $50,200. Those working in New Hampshire, Maryland, or Washington typically earn the highest salaries.