Optical Laboratory Technician

Optical Laboratory Technician

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Optical laboratory technicians grind and fit eyeglass lenses into frames according to prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists. Technicians set lens grinding machine so that lens blanks are ground and polished. Then they fit the polished lenses into eyeglass frames and, depending upon where they work, fi the frames to the patients. Some ophthalmic technicians work in optical laboratories, or for optometrists or ophthalmologists. Many work in retail stores that have optical departments.

Average Salary: $15,000 - $20,000

Educational Requirements:

             A high school diploma or GED certificate is needed to begin optical laboratory training. Training programs last between six months and one year and are provided by vocational schools and community colleges. Some retail store optical departments provide on-the-job training.

Student Success Statement #46

"Doing what is right, fair, and honorable is more important than winning or losing."
                                                                                                      - Chick Moorman

Ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologist

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Ophthalmologists are physicians who specialize in the treatment of eye disorders and diseases. They treat vision problems and write prescriptions for both pharmaceuticals and corrective eyeglass lenses. When necessary, they perform eye surgery. Most ophthalmologists are in private practice, however some are employed by hospitals or clinics, and others perform research.

Average Salary: $90,000 - $150,000

Educational Requirements:

                Only physicians may study to become ophthalmologists. After completing medical school and an internship, an ophthalmologist must then complete a three to five year residency in an approved ophthalmology program. After completing their residency program, they must pass an examination to be certified.

Student Success Statement #45

"Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself."
                                                                                                                  - Henry Ward Beecher

Ophthalmic Technician

Ophthalmic Technician

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Ophthalmic technicians or technologists help ophthamologists collect data and measurements to allow the correct diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and problems. They work at hospitals, clinics, or for ophthalmologists in private practice.

Their duties often include:

•   Performing simple eye exams

•       Assisting with eye surgery

•       Explaining diagnostic and treatment procedures to patients

Average Salary: $14,000 - $25,000

Educational Requirements:

                Students will need a high school diploma (or GED certificate) and two years of college prior to beginning ophthalmic training programs. These programs may vary in length, but can take up to two years to complete.

Student Success Statement #44

"Goal setting is goal getting. Set and Get."
                                                - Mark Victor Hansen

Reflection: Mr. Hansen may have a point. If you set a goal, there is a pretty positive chance that you will achieve it. For example, the authors from Chicken Soup for the Soul. Their book was rejected by many publishers so many times. They were so close to giving up, but they decided against it. They said they were going to get that book published one way or another, and they meant it. They set their goals real high, and even if they almost lost hope, they never gave up. That just shows us that we must never give up because dreams and goals can and are possible to come true. No matter how impossible the idea, dream, or goal seems, it is possible to accomplish it.  You should never give up. Just yesterday, I, myself, saw on the news that this, now famous, guy confessed that he was almost about to give up as a singer when he realized his career wasn't really going the way he wanted it to go. But he kept trying, and trying, and now I look at him, and admire him for continuing on reaching and striving to reach his goals. You should try goal setting. Like Mr. Hansen says, Goal setting is goal getting. :)

Operating Room Technician

  Operating Room Technician

Duties and Responsibilities:

            Operating room technicians are also called surgical technicians or surgical technologists. They assist in preparing operating rooms for surgery. They are responsible for having surgical instruments, sterile bandages, and linens, needed fluids, and other equipment read for operation.

They may also assist doctors by handing them needed instruments during surgery and for counting sponges and needles before and after the operation. They deliver specimens to hospital laboratories for analysis, and after operations they take patients to the recovery room.

Average Salary: $16,000 - $22,000

Educational Requirements:

            A high school diploma or GED certificate is required. Many vocational and junior colleges offer programs in operating room technology, and training may also be taken at large hospitals. The programs vary from one year to two years. Students receive training in medical terminology, physiology, and sterilization methods. At the end of the training period, students must pass an examination by the Association of Surgical Technologists to become certified.





Q: Do you think you would like to be an Operating Room Technician? Why or why not?
A: I honestly don't think I would like to be an Operating Room Technician for the simple fact that I would get disgusted easily at the site of the surgeon operating someone.