Boston Reed College

Optometric Technician

Program Summary

As an Optometric Technician (Optical Assistant or Ophthalmic Technician) you will work under the supervision of a licensed eye care professional. Optometric Technicians assist in testing patients' vision, providing frame styling services, and instructing patients in contact lens handling. They administer vision therapy programs prescribed by the licensed eye care professional. The course combines 140-hours of classroom instruction (21 weeks) with an off-site 120-hour externship to provide students with a comprehensive learning experience. More about externships. Official Course Outline (rtf).

Financial Assistance

See our Financial Assistance pages.

Community Job Survey

The market for this profession is excellent. Starting pay is from $12 – $16 per hour for graduates. See the Employment Development Department's Occupational Guide for Optometric Technicians.

Certification

Upon successful completion you will receive a certificate of completion and can take the optional Certified Paraoptometric Examination (CPO) offered by the American Optometric Association (AOA).

Schedule

Designed for busy adults classes are held on evenings, afternoons and weekends. Externships coordinated by Boston Reed College.

Externships

We recommend that all students commit to two full business days (Monday - Friday) per week at minimum for externship. “Eligible” students who commit to a full-time externship (five business days a week) will be placed in an externship no later than 90 days from the end of the classroom portion of any course. Eligible students who commit to a part-time externship (2-4 business days per week) will be placed in an externship no later than 180 days from the end of the classroom portion of any course. Students may be required to travel 60 miles in one direction to an externship site. An eligible student is one who has all prerequisites on file with Boston Reed College and has successfully completed the classroom portion of the course, and has complied with all policies and procedures and met all financial obligations. . Prerequisites are as follows: externship questionnaire, CPR for the healthcare provider, proof of a current physical examination, tuberculosis screening and a resume. More on Externships will be found in your student guidelines and discussed in class. More about externships.

Schedule

Evening and Saturday classes available. Flexible externship schedules available.

Prerequisites

Minimum 18 years of age and high school completion or its equivalent. Students need competency in, or completion of a basic computer operations course. Students will be required to have access to the Internet, printing capabilities and an email address. A math and English pre-assessment test will be administered on the first class meeting to assure student success. Prior to placement in an externship, students will need to show proof of completion of CPR for the Healthcare Provider course, a health examination including TB testing and submission of a resume.

English and Math Prescreening

You will be required to pass an English language and math prescreening prior to final admittance into any course. This prescreening will be administered on the first day of class. The prescreening covers basic English language reading and comprehension as well as basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals and percentages). See sample prescreening assessments. If the applicant does not pass the exam they can request a refund of the 100% of fees paid. This refund will be processed within 7 business days from the first day of the course.

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