Dispensing Optician
Dispensing opticians work within the vision care industry as part of a team with ophthalmologists and optometrists. They are skilled professionals who specialize in filling prescriptions for eyeglasses, contact lenses and low visual aids. This includes measurements of the eyes of the patient, preparing and delivering visual eyewear, assisting the patient with contact lens and eyewear selection, patient training, sales promotion and small business management practices.
The Dispensing Optician Program is offered on a full-time basis with one intake in the Fall. This program offers educational preparation at both the certificate (one-year) and diploma (two-year) levels. During the Summer Semester, first-year Dispensing Optician students participate in a full-time six-week practicum that concludes in mid-June while second-year contact lens fitting students complete their full-time practicum in May.
*See Recommended Course Sequence for specific courses offered.
Department Website
For an overview of this program, including faculty listings and frequently asked questions plus other resources, visit the departmental website.
Career Opportunities
As a Douglas College Dispensing Optician Graduate, you will become a leader in the optical community. Because of this you will be sought after for your knowledge, skills, and problem-solving abilities.
You can look forward to employment in the following areas of the optical industry where current graduates are employed:
Year 1
- Dispensing Optician - Major Retail Corporation
- Dispensing Optician - Independent Practice
- Dispensing Optician - Optometrist's office
Year 2
- Dual licensed Optician - Major Retail Corporation
- Dual licensed Optician - Independent Practice
- Dual licensed Optician - Optometrist's/Ophthalmologist’s office
- Dual licensed Optician - Owner/Operator-Private Practice
- Contact Lens Fitter - Laser Surgery Clinic
- Retail Optical Managers - Eye Glass Dispenser/Contact Lens fitter
- National Lens or Product Representative
- Surgical Assistant – Ophthalmologist’s practice
- Specialty Contact Lens Fitter – Ophthalmologist’s practice
These opportunities are available across Canada (except Quebec) due to recent legislative changes allowing Mobility of Licensure.
Location
This program is offered at the David Lam Campus (Coquitlam), in a specially constructed and equipped state-of-the-art laboratory and dispensary.
Intake Dates/Application Deadline
**Application deadlines may be extended.
Early application is advised, since there is a limited number of seats available in the program.
Other Information
This program offers a free Information Session.
FIRST YEAR - CERTIFICATE IN DISPENSING OPTICIANRY - EYEGLASSES
The program's first year provides you with essential skills required in the profession; studies include optics, anatomy, physiology and eye conditions. Lab courses provide skills in edging, fitting, tinting and customizing lenses, as well as calibrating and maintaining optical equipment and tools. You will gain knowledge required in the retail workplace, such as business management, interpersonal communications and practical writing. As well, practical experience will be provided through instructed practica in the Douglas College Vision Centre or supervised work-site preceptorships.
It is recommended that first-year students obtain Hepatitis B (series of 3) shots through their family physicians.
Lab coats are required for all students and can be purchased at the college book store.
Admission Requirements
The College admits students on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis whereby students must satisfy all admissions criteria to establish eligibility and are then offered places by date of eligibility, except in programs that use selective admission processes that rank order qualified applicants.
1. High School Graduation or equivalent*
2. Math 10 with a “C” or any Math 11 with a grade of "C-" or better (or equivalent)
NOTE: Effective Fall 2012 - Math requirement changes to: Any MATH 11 course with a minimum grade of "C-".
3. Signed documentation of an Optical tour. Optical tours and forms are available at regularly scheduled Coquitlam Campus Information Sessions.
4. English 12 with a "B" in the last four years or an equivalent. A Computer-based English assessment is available at Douglas College.
5. Applicants may be required to attend a personal interview that will be used for the purposes of providing information and academic counselling. Direct entry into second year of the program is available for those individuals already employed within the optical field as an Optician - Eyeglass Dispenser and desiring educational qualifications in the fitting of contact lenses.
6. Criminal Record Search (CRS) - This program requires students to train in an environment that demands individuals to provide proof of a satisfactorily completed, current CRS for the protection of the clients. To meet this requirement, prospective students must submit to a current CRS as a condition of entry to the program. Any CRS forms returned with a notation of a record will be reviewed by the Registrar to determine if there is any relevance to the program applied to. In these cases, final determination of admission rests with the Registrar. All costs related to the completion of this search are the responsibility of the individual student.
* Successful completion of two three-credit university transfer courses may be substituted for high school graduation
Credentials
Graduates of the one-year option will receive a Certificate in Dispensing Opticianry - Eyeglasses. Graduates of the two-year option will receive a Diploma in Dispensing Opticianry - Contact Lenses. Graduates of both options will be eligible to apply for licensure through the College of Opticians of British Columbia. Licensure is a requirement for practice as an optician in the field of opticianry in BC.
Program Content
Year I
Semester I
| DOPT 1100 | Dispensing Optician Theory I | 7 |
| DOPT 1112 | Dispensing Optician Lab Skills I | 5 |
| CMNS 1216 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| 15 |
Semester II
| DOPT 1200 | Dispensing Optician Theory II | 7 |
| DOPT 1210 | Dispensing Optician Clinical Practice II | 3 |
| DOPT 1212 | Dispensing Optician Lab Skills II | 4 |
| CMNS 1111 | Workplace Communications | 3 |
| 17 |
Semester III
| DOPT 1310 | Dispensing Optician Eyeglass Preceptorship | 5 |
| 5 |
SECOND YEAR - Diploma in Advanced Opticianry, Contact Lenses and Refraction Technologies
This program provides knowledge and skill for current opticians to work toward obtaining their Contact Lens Fitter's licence. The program is offered in an on line mode with instructor support through email and telephone communication. Second year is also offered face-to-face on campus.
As an online Contact Lens student, you will need:
- an up-to-date computer with Internet access (high-speed/broadband preferred)
- web-browsing and email familiarity
- word-processing software (MS Word preferred)
- to select a practicum location in your area for the lab and practicum courses. Opticians currently working in the field may choose to complete the lab and practicum courses at their current place of employment as long as there is a Registered Contact Lens Fitter (or equivalent) present to act as a preceptor for supervision
- to attend a total of 10 days (two 5-day events) at the Douglas College Coquitlam Campus. This is a requirement of the program in preparation for the National Licensing examination
Admission Requirement - Second-Year Direct Entry
Applicants for direct entry into second year must:
- Be a graduate from an approved school with a Certificate in Eyeglass Dispensing or equivalent; AND
- Be a registered Optician with the regulatory body in their respective jurisdictions (e.g. College Opticians of BC, College of Opticians of Ontario); OR
- Be eligible for registration as a “Student Contact Lens Fitter” under the bylaws of the College of Opticians of British Columbia.
Credentials
Graduates of the one-year option will receive a Certificate in Dispensing Opticianry - Eyeglasses. Graduates of the two-year option will receive a Diploma in Dispensing Opticianry - Contact Lenses. Graduates of both options will be eligible to apply for licensure through the College of Opticians of British Columbia. Licensure is a requirement for practice as an optician in the field of opticianry in BC.
Program Content
Year 2
Semester IV
| DOPT 2101 | Theory in Contact Lenses & Optical Technologies I | 7 |
| DOPT 2111 | Clinical in Contact Lenses & Optical Technologies I | 3 |
| DOPT 2113 | Laboratory in Contact Lenses & Optical Technologies I | 4 |
| 14 |
Semester V
| DOPT 2201 | Theory in Contact Lenses & Optical Technologies II | 7 |
| DOPT 2211 | Clinical in Contact Lenses & Optical Technologies II | 3 |
| DOPT 2213 | Laboratory in Contact Lenses & Optical Technologies II | 4 |
| 14 |
Semester VI
| DOPT 2311 | Clinical in Contact Lenses & Optical Technologies III | 4 |
| 4 |