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29-2081.00 · Task explorer

Opticians, Dispensing: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification. Assist client with inserting, removing, and caring for contact lenses. Assist client with selecting frames. Measure customer for size of eyeglasses and coordinate frames with facial and eye measurements and optical prescription. Prepare work order for optical laboratory containing instructions for grinding and mounting lenses in frames. Verify exactness of finished lens spectacles. Adjust frame and lens position to fit client. May shape or reshape frames. Includes contact lens opticians.

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Read the task inventory

This source lists 21 tasks, including 21 marked Core and 0 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2022.

21 tasks shown

Core · Task 4201 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Measure clients' bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes, using measuring devices.

Core · Task 4202 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Verify that finished lenses are ground to specifications.

Core · Task 4210 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Evaluate prescriptions in conjunction with clients' vocational and avocational visual requirements.

Core · Task 4207 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Recommend specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames to suit client needs.

Core · Task 4204 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Assist clients in selecting frames according to style and color, and ensure that frames are coordinated with facial and eye measurements and optical prescriptions.

Core · Task 4205 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Maintain records of customer prescriptions, work orders, and payments.

Core · Task 4209 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Heat, shape, or bend plastic or metal frames to adjust eyeglasses to fit clients, using pliers and hands.

Core · Task 4213 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Show customers how to insert, remove, and care for their contact lenses.

Core · Task 4212 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Determine clients' current lens prescriptions, when necessary, using lensometers or lens analyzers and clients' eyeglasses.

Core · Task 4203 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Prepare work orders and instructions for grinding lenses and fabricating eyeglasses.

Core · Task 4215 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Obtain a customer's previous record, or verify a prescription with the examining optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Core · Task 4208 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Sell goods such as contact lenses, spectacles, sunglasses, and goods related to eyes, in general.

Core · Task 4217 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Fabricate lenses to meet prescription specifications.

Core · Task 4206 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Perform administrative duties, such as tracking inventory and sales, submitting patient insurance information, and performing simple bookkeeping.

Core · Task 4219 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Assemble eyeglasses by cutting and edging lenses, and fitting the lenses into frames.

Core · Task 4211 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Instruct clients in how to wear and care for eyeglasses.

Core · Task 4220 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Supervise the training of student opticians.

Core · Task 18551 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Order and purchase frames and lenses.

Core · Task 4218 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Grind lens edges, or apply coatings to lenses.

Core · Task 4214 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Repair damaged frames.

Core · Task 4216 · 08/2022 · Occupational Expert

Arrange and maintain displays of optical merchandise.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

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