How does the role of a dispensing Optician differ from England to America?

**t_appletart** · 01-30-2011, 02:44 PM

I am a British Dispensing Optician, and I was wondering, does the role of 'Dispensing Optician' differ across the atlantic?

I ask, because I am currently engaged to an American, and late next year will be looking to moving across to the states, and wish to start finding out exactly what I need to do to carry on this form of employment.

I previously started a thread about this a few months ago, but just wanted to double check that I had accurately described my role, as I am aware that Optometrists roles are slightly different qualification wise.

Regards,

Tim

**chip anderson** · 01-30-2011, 03:24 PM

Dear Tart:
Perhaps the reason you are getting no replies as we don't know exactly what an optician does in the UK, or most European, Asian, African, or whatever.
In some places an optician is an optometrist by US standards of practice, others a frame stylist, in still others practically an optical engineer.
So I guess you shoud start by telling us what an optician is and does in the UK.

Chip

**t_appletart** · 01-30-2011, 03:32 PM

Thanks for the reply chip.

The general optical council describes a dispensing optican as...

"A dispensing optician advises on, fits and supplies the most appropriate spectacles after taking account of each patient’s visual, lifestyle and vocational needs.
Dispensing opticians also play an important role in advising and dispensing low vision aids to those who are partially sighted and in advising on and dispensing to children where appropriate.
They are also able to fit and provide aftercare for contact lenses after undergoing further specialist training. On completion, practitioners are placed onto a specialty register. Career opportunities also exist to develop business skills in marketing and practice management"

I don't test, but I am qualified to dispense high powered lenses, and also children. Am allowed also to own a practice in the UK, and issue certified copies of prescriptions. All these you must be qualified to do in the UK.

**chip anderson** · 01-30-2011, 04:27 PM

You will find in the US (varies from state to state and employer to employer) pretty much the same duties. Some states you must be under the supervision (the definition of this varies also) of an O.D. or O.M.D. to do contacts, others you get pretty much a free hand to do so provided you have an Rx allowing same. As anywhere you may be able to legally do things that your employer may or may not allow.
Some states you need license, others not, some states and some locations you need at least certification. States are pretty much independent on this sort of thing and are fighting to remain so. Others are attempting to get the Federal Government to control everything. Just like England.
Don't marry U.S. citizen unless he is from the South.

Chip

**cocoisland58** · 01-30-2011, 04:48 PM

Oh I don't know, northern men know how to keep you warm at night anyway.

In regards to "Dispensing Optician", in my state the title is up for grabs because we are not a licensed state. Anyone can call themselves an optician and believe they are one but depending on their training they may be anything from a sales person to a master optician. What state are you planning on settling in?

**t_appletart** · 01-30-2011, 04:49 PM

well, my WIFE lives in mississippi, but may want to move home to colorado :)

**Wes** · 01-30-2011, 04:56 PM

Depends where you wish to practice. Each state has its own regulations. If you're the person looking to mississippi, there are no regulations whatsoever, and Chip Anderson is one of the more prominent opticians in the state.
If you can document your training, experience and education, along with passage of our national cerification exams, you probably qualify to sit for the state practicals in the states that license opticians.