Alright. I'd love some feedback from the nations wisest. Yep...YOU! I've been a certified optician (ABO) for the better part of ten years now. Got my start with telescope, microscope and binocular optics at a local planetarium before that. Really enjoy the tech side of lenses and their design, but also have really come to love patient care, diagnostic testing and some minor surgical assisting over the years.
Several years ago, I looked into obtaining my Advanced ABO and perhaps even Master Optician certifications. Though in talking the past year or so with several local Optometrists, I get a sense that the Certified Paraoptometric certification might be of more use, and might be more valuable to any potential future employers.
Then of course there's the option of going COA/COT and sticking primarily with pre-test and diagnostics, perhaps a bit of ER or surgery as well.
It seems that all of these options present with a glass ceiling of some form. My question for you all is this:
Given your choice (mine is not to go to optometry school in case that's suggested), would you recommend one certification or career path over another? If so why? Where can one maximize their training to maximize their salary. Is it possible to make much more than a simple and rather modest living as an optician these days?
I also have no interest in sales, so a rep position really doesn't attract me.
Would love to hear where you've come from, where you'd like to go (or are going!), and why.
Thanks for your ears - and for your feedback!
Brian~
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