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Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Also called: Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician), Optical Lab Technician (Optical Laboratory Technician), Optical Technician, Surfacing Technician

Where in the military? In the military: see titles from the Air Force, Army, or Navy.

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What they do:
Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders, centerer-edgers, and lens mounters.
On the job, you would:
  • Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
  • Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
  • Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements.

Knowledge

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
  • manufacture and distribution of products
Engineering and Technology
  • mechanical
Math and Science
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Business
  • customer service

Skills

Basic Skills
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • reading work related information
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use
  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • put together small parts with your fingers
Verbal
  • read and understand what is written

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Self Control
  • Concern for Others
  • Persistence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology
Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology
Medical software
  • Electronic medical record EMR software

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
some college
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Average Outlook
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Salary
$37,270
$28,080
$56,190
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about ophthalmic laboratory technicians.