Opticianry Mission, Goals, and Objectives

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide quality optical education, hands-on training, and career guidance to individuals preparing to become professional licensed opticians.  Through various clinical, laboratory, virtual, and classroom settings, students will receive theoretical, practical, and applicable opticianry knowledge and develop the required competencies and skills of a licensed optician in all 21 licensed states, including North Carolina. Students will receive a comprehensive educational experience that prepares them for passage of all required state licensure and national certification examinations, connects them to the community, and prepares them for their careers as licensed opticians.        

Goals

  1. Students enrolled in the Opticianry Program will graduate and obtain employment in the optical industry.
  2. Graduates will successfully complete all required licensure examinations on their first attempt.
  3. Graduates will demonstrate proficiency with the critical competencies of graduates.


Objectives (Critical Competencies)

  1. Use effective oral and written communications.
  2. Perform basic mathematical and algebraic operations.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the human eye structure, functions, and pathology.
  4. Display an understanding of all parts of the routine eye exam, and demonstrate effective communication with the prescriber.
  5. Evaluate facial structure, frame characteristics and fit, prescription needs, and eyewear function to perform proper measurement techniques.
  6. Demonstrate appropriate selection and recommendation of frames, lenses, and other product features according to customer vocational and avocational needs.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to prepare orders to ANSI standards, dispense eyewear, and maintain records according to the guidelines set forth by the State of North Carolina.
  8. Demonstrate problem-solving ability with dispensing eyewear.
  9. Know sources of new product innovations and are able to explain them to the consumer. 
  10. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of sales and third-party eyewear plans in maintaining a profitable eyewear business.
  11. Demonstrate the proper procedures to neutralize eyewear prescriptions and evaluate lenses using accessory tools, including lens clock, thickness gauge, and progressive lens identifying and remarking resources.
  12. Demonstrate safe use and knowledge of routine maintenance of applicable optical equipment, including lensmeters, basic finishing, dispensing, and contact lens equipment.
  13. Demonstrate an understanding of the rules and regulations applicable to optical retailers, optical laboratories, and optical products set forth by OSHA, ANSI, FDA, and the EPA. 1
  14. Demonstrate knowledge of Federal and State laws governing dispensing opticians, ophthalmic devices, patient care, and HIPAA compliance.
  15. Evaluate, fit, and dispense contact lenses according to the rules and regulations for contact lenses as set forth by FDA and ANSI.
  16. Practice safe hazardous waste disposal and reduce non-hazardous waste in accordance with local and national EPA standards.