Key knowledge areas

1. Evaluate prescriptions in conjunction with clients' vocational and a vocational visual requirements.

2. Recommend specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames to suit client needs.

3. Verify that finished lenses are ground to specifications.

4. Measure clients' bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes, using measuring devices.

5. Sell goods such as contact lenses, spectacles, sunglasses, and other goods related to eyes in general.

6. Assist clients in selecting frames according to style and color, and ensure that frames are coordinated with facial and eye measurements and optical prescriptions.

7. Heat, shape, or bend plastic or metal frames to adjust eyeglasses to fit clients, using pliers and hands.

8. Show customers how to insert, remove, and care for their contact lenses.

9. Determine clients' current lens prescriptions, when necessary, using lensometers or lens analyzers and clients' eyeglasses.

10. Maintain records of customer prescriptions, work orders, and payments.

11. Fabricate lenses to meet prescription specifications.

12. Instruct clients in how to wear and care for eyeglasses.

Key knowledge areas

The following knowledge areas aid an Optical dispenser   to execute his/her duties better;

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Sales and Marketing — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Skills

The following skills aid an optical dispenser  carry out his/her duties with ease ;.

Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.

Abilities

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.