Are you interested in working as an optician in Utah?
This beautiful state has a lot to offer, but you will need to have some info first.
Read on below to learn more about the required training for opticians in Utah.
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Optician Job Description and Duties in Utah
Opticians advise what type of eye-wear their clients should choose.
Keep in mind you will not be providing prescriptions for glasses.
The main job duties an optician has daily are:
- Preparing eyewear
- Fitting and adjusting eyewear
- Educating customers about eyewear issues and maintenance
- Keeping sales records
- Determining insurance co-pays
- Keeping the inventory
- Interacting with the labs that make lenses
Optician Job Requirements in Utah
In Utah, the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing oversees opticians and requires them to earn a license.
The Division wants individuals to pass the NBEO exam for this.
For this, attending a training program with accreditation from ACOE.
As far as employers are concerned, the ideal candidates usually have or are:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Graduating from a training program or having a formal education
- An associate’s degree diploma is highly appreciated by employers
- Good interpersonal skills
- Detail-oriented
- Reliability
- A clean criminal record
Optician Education in Utah
To complete your training, you can easily enroll in a training program close to your area.
The institutions that offer optician programs in Utah are listed below.
Top 2 Schools in Utah
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Utah Optometric Association | 15045 S Round Tree Ln, Draper, UT 84020 |
| Utah Valley University | 800 W University Pkwy, Orem, UT 84058 |
At the Utah Valley University, students will attend a pre-optometry training program with a duration of a few years.
This is a good start for another degree though starting to work immediately after completing it, is also possible.
The Association offers various classes with a short duration for those working in the optometry field.
This is not a formal educational training program, but it can be of great help for those who want to become opticians.
Keep in mind that you will have to meet the requirements asked for by your chosen school.
These can include:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Completing specific classes with a minimum grade of C
- 2 letters of recommendation
- OAT scores – not older than 5 years
- Minimum GPA of 2.75
How long an optician program lasts in Utah varies.
It might take as short as 7 months to finish one.
However, if you attend a graduate program, be ready for it to last for about 3-4 years.
The training program will feature hours of theory and clinical practice.
The subjects you will attend are:
- Introduction to Optometry
- Ocular Anatomy
- Systems 1: Neuroscience
- Ocular Microbiology
- Ophthalmic Imaging
- Public Health Optometry
- Glaucoma
- Physics
Individuals also have the option of receiving training on the job, from a licensed optician.
Optician Certification in Utah
We already established that as an optician you need a license from the Division, and you can only obtain it if you:
- Graduated from a program accredited by ACOE
- Passed the NBOE exam
- Submit an application
- Have CPR or Basic Life Support (BCLS) certification
- Pass the Utah Optometry Law and Rules Exam
Taking the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) through the ABO is also required.
The optician exam has 3 levels:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
For the beginner level, you need to know how to:
- Reading prescriptions,
- Fitting and dispensing spectacles
- Using standard ophthalmic equipment
A fee of $200 is also required and is usually covered by the facility you work for.
To work as a lens dispenser, you have to pass the Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE).
The lens dispenser exam subjects are:
- Pre-fitting for lenses,
- Diagnostic fitting,
- Dispensing of lenses,
- Patient education,
- Delivery
- Follow-up
The documents you are required to send are:
- Age over 18
- A high school diploma or GED
- To fill out an application
- To pay some fees
- A clean criminal record
In Utah, you have to renew your optician license to keep it current.
This means that you are required to take 30 additional hours of education.
You will have to get your optician license renewed once in 2 years, during even-numbered years.
Optician Employment and Salary in Utah
An optician license will enable you to get hired by facilities like:
- Stores
- Offices
- Optometry practices
- Hospitals
- Clinics
In Utah, the wage you will earn varies depending on your region.
In Salt Lake City, one of the largest cities in Utah, the median salary is $45,643 per year.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Opticians in Utah
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $45,643 |
| Provo | $43,971 |
| West Jordan | $45,477 |
| Orem | $43,971 |
| Sandy | $45,518 |
| Ogden | $44,495 |
| St. George | $48,342 |
| Layton | $44,329 |
| South Jordan | $45,435 |
| Lehi | $43,763 |
Regional Salary in Utah
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan, UT-ID | 40 | $35,460 | $17.05 | $62,930 | $23,900 |
| Ogden-Clearfield, UT | 140 | $35,940 | $17.28 | $54,040 | $28,070 |
| Provo-Orem, UT | 160 | $39,570 | $19.02 | $68,540 | $29,400 |
| St. George, UT | 70 | $35,810 | $17.22 | $53,050 | $28,630 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 430 | $33,960 | $16.33 | $47,570 | $24,220 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Opticians in Utah
In case you need some additional resources, visit the following:
- Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
- Accreditation Council on Optometric Education
- National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO)
- Utah Ophthalmology Society
- Utah Optometric Association
