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PURPOSE: The Opticianry program is designed to prepare individuals in the art and science of all phases of the fabrication, fitting, and dispensing of eyeglasses and contact lenses: surfacing, finishing, eyeglass dispensing, and contact lens fitting.
OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Graduation from the program may lead to one of the following occupational goals: Optician, Private Practitioner, Ophthalmic Dispenser, Optical Laboratory Manager, Contact Lens Technician, Branch Manager, Optical Laboratory Technician, Ophthalmic Sales Representative, and Ophthalmic Research Technician.
PROGRAM LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate theoretical and technical optical knowledge at a level of a licensed optician in the state of Virginia and other states requiring accreditation with similar requirements.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate clinical optical skills at a level of a licensed optician in the state of Virginia and other states requiring accreditation with similar requirements.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate clinical competency in basic contact lens fitting.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate entry level business skills within the Opticianry profession.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: General college curricular admission
PROGRAM NOTES: Students admitted into this program will be approved for entry into major/clinical courses (Optical Theory I or higher) when they have satisfied the following requirements:
- Applicants must meet with the department chair or opticianry faculty advisor to review their records and to discuss the requirements of the program and a career in Opticianry.
- It is also recommended, but not required, that students have completed one unit each of high school algebra, biology, and physics.
Students acquire direct patient-related practical skills by completing eyeglass and contact lens clinical coursework at on campus or off-campus clinical sites. All students must complete an Assumption of Risk agreement prior to taking any clinical courses. Courses in the program may be offered on campus or online. Students in the online program must attend mandatory clinical classes offered at an approved facility. Exams and major assessments must be taken in an approved, proctored environment as determined by the program faculty.
Graduation from this program prepares one for the licensing examination and contact lens fitting endorsement given by the Virginia State Board of Opticians. This accredited program is also approved by other state licensing boards.
FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS: In addition to regular college tuition and fees, there may be other expenses required for the Opticianry program. For more information, visit the Program Finder Page at https://www.reynolds.edu/programs/program-pages/opticianry-aas.html:
Online students will demonstrate their learning through project submissions and proctored exams, which are required throughout the curriculum. Students must use an approved proctor, and, if there is a fee, students are required to pay for the services that they decide to use.
Online students in a clinical setting must have access to specific optical tools and equipment to successfully complete coursework. Students using off-campus locations may need to purchase tools or equipment if they do not have access to them at their approved location.
COMPUTER COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT: Students in this program will meet the college’s computer competency requirement by successfully completing SDV 101 - Orientation to Health Science .
PROGRESSION THROUGH THE PROGRAM:
- Students who receive a final grade lower than “71” in any of the Opticianry courses must repeat the course and gain permission from the department chair to continue in the program.
- Reynolds relies on affiliation agreements with community agencies to provide clinical education opportunities for their students. The rapid changes in health care law, standards of practice, technology, content of credentialing examinations, and availability of qualified faculty increasingly necessitate sudden changes in the program’s course content, policies, procedures, and course scheduling. As a result, the college cannot guarantee every student continuous and uninterrupted clinical and course instruction as outlined in the printed catalog curriculum for this program. Circumstances beyond the control of the college may necessitate the postponement of course offerings or changes in the sequencing and/or location of scheduled courses or clinical assignments. Additionally, the college may have to change the instructor for courses after instruction has started.
ACCREDITATION: The Opticianry program is accredited by the
COMMISSION ON OPTICIANRY ACCREDITATION
229 East 85th Street #194
New York, NY 10028
https://coaccreditation.com/
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