Does this course prepare you for a certification?
Yes, you will be prepared to take the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Basic certification exams - Opticianry Certification Exam (NOCE) and Contact Lens Registry Exam (CLRE). Upon completion of this course, you'll be prepared to begin a career as an optician.
You will also be prepared for the Intuit QuickBooks Certified User (QBCU) exam and the Microsoft Excel and Word Expert certification exam. For students using Microsoft Office 2019/2021, we recommend the MO-201/MO-101 exam and the MO-211/MO-111 exam for Microsoft Office 365 users.
What is an optical manager?
Optical managers are professionals who oversee the everyday operations of an optometrist's office. You would most likely have a mix of administrative and eye care duties that you would perform every day in this position. For example, you would maintain all the responsibilities of an optician, such as the managerial duties, including hiring and training other office staff, managing inventory, maintaining patient records, processing billing statements and insurance claims, adjusting and repairing eyeglasses, and other similar tasks.
How much do optical managers earn?
According to salary.com, optical managers earn an average salary of $23 per hour, equating to $47,840 per year. Additionally, Glassdoor.com uses self-reported salaries of optical managers and reports a nationwide annual average wage of $49,722.
What makes a good optical manager?
To be a good optical manager, you will need to multitask as your workday will include a mix of management and optician duties. You must have good communication skills and be flexible with the ability to inspire and motivate others. You will be responsible for working with customers and helping resolve any complaints, so you need to remain calm in a potentially stressful situation. You will also need to be objective, detail-oriented, data-minded, and results-driven. Finally, you will need to be dependable and possess the ability to delegate tasks to others on your team.
How do I become an optical manager?
The first step to becoming an optical manager is becoming an optician. You'll then need to gain some experience in an optometrist's office before you can advance into an optical manager role.
How does this course prepare me to become an optician?
By taking this course, you will learn how to read prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses, become familiar with the equipment opticians use, and gain an understanding of eye anatomy and eye diseases. You will also learn various office responsibilities within an optometrist's office, including bookkeeping, tracking inventory and sales, and maintaining customer records (including payments and prescriptions).
After completing this course, you will be fully prepared to begin a career as an optician and have the skills and knowledge to advance as an optical manager in this popular and exciting medical field.
How much do opticians make?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median salary for opticians is $38,530, with top professionals in this field making over $60,000 per year.
When can I start the course?
This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.
How long does it take to complete this course?
This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive eighteen (18) months to complete the course.
What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?
The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.
What kind of support will I receive?
Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.
What happens when I complete the course?
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.
Am I guaranteed a job?
This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.
Can I get financial assistance?
This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.
How can I get more information about this course?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.