Why Become An Optometrist?
“Can you read the line five?”
“No.”
“How about line four?”
“A. Y. E. J. K.”
“Great.”
“Is option one better or is two?”
“One.”
“Great.”
This scenario is unfolded many times daily in optometrists offices across the country. Being an optometrist is an important job. If one is interested in becoming an optometrist they must look at how to become prepared, abilities and personalities needed to be an optometrist, education to become an optometrist, job outlook, environment, schedule, duties, and and salary.
There are many ways to become prepared to be an optometrist. According to COPSystem Comprehensive Career Guide joining speech or cultural awareness clubs is a great way to get experience. Volunteering at an optometrist practice, hospital, …show more content…
or medical place is another way to get valuable experience. Completing volunteer work for elderly is a good way to learn how to work with older people. Being a camp counselor teaches you how to be patient and kind to those who you don’t know. Learning another language helps you in being able to communicate to a wider variety of patients (“Service, Professional.” 13).
One should have a abilities and personality if they want to be an optometrist.
According to COPSystem Comprehensive Career Guide an optometrist should be about their patients and their needs. An optometrists should be able to gain trust in their patients. They should be able to handle their patients in stressful environments. One should be able to tell patients instructions they need to follow. An optometrist must be able to make decisions on their own quickly especially in an emergency settings. Being able to read charts and reference materials is a must for optometrists. Being patient with the patients that don't follow directions or listen well is very important. Understanding government programs is also vital for optometrists (“Service, Professional.” …show more content…
13).
In order to become an optometrist one have to attend college.
A student can major in pre-optometry, pre-medicine, or biology for their bachelors degree. According to the Occupation Outlook Handbook it takes three to four years to obtain a bachelors degree. According to the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, after they have gotten my bachelors degree, they have to take the the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). It is a standardized test that measures general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information. Then one can apply for optometry schools. Optometry schools look for students that not only are good students but who have leadership ability, a disposition to serve others, and a work ethic characterized by dedication and persistence. According to Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry there are, 20 accredited schools in the United States. This are in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Arizona, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Florida, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, California, Tennessee, New York, Alabama, California, Missouri, Texas, and Puerto Rico. After being accepted, one will have 4 more years of college. Someone can expect to pay $21,556 to $51,420 a year (“Frequently Asked Questions”). After graduating from optometry school, they have the choice to complete one year of residency. According to the Occupation Outlook Handbook all fifty states and the District of Columbia require Doctors of Optometry to take a licensing test and to
take continuing education courses to be eligible for license renewal. Such educational programs are readily available throughout the country.
After completing optometry school, one have to find a job therefore must looking at the job outlook is very important. According to the Occupation Outlook Handbook that job outlook for optometry is rising 33% from 2010-2020 (“Optometrists”). There is going to be estimated new 11,300 jobs available (“Optometrists”). According to Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry there will be a demand in all parts of the country for optometrists as the increasing awareness of prevention and proper health care. The aging population is also a bonus for the the job outlook they will be in need of vision care service over next several decades. According to Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry optometrists are also needed to fill vacancies created through retirement of other optometrists. This is good because one want to work in a job where is a demand because someone would not want to have a job that would be outdated in a couple of years.
Each optometrist's environment may be slightly different but all have the same concept. According to the Occupation Outlook Handbook fifty,percent of optometrist were in stand alone offices of optometry, thirteen percent of optometrist work in offices of physicians, eight percent work in health and personal care stores, and two percent work in outpatient care centers (“Optometrists”). Twenty-two percent of optometrist are self employed (“Optometrists”). According to College Grad, all offices are clean, comfortable, and well lighted (“Career Information”).
After beginning working in a practice, one will quickly falls into a routine. According to Wayne Quincy, O. D., his typical day starts at 7:30 and ending at 5:30. Many optometrists work 40- 45 hour weeks. Optometrist may work evenings or weekends to make it more convenient for patients. One can expect to see multiple patients in a day (Quincy). Many times an optometrist goes back and forth between patients to maximize their time. According to College Grad, although once uncommon, some optometrist will answer to emergency calls (“Career Information”). Down time on the job varies greatly between optometrist to optometrist. According to Wayne Quincy, O.D. ,a very well established optometrist who has working for 8-10 years may have virtually have no downtime (Quincy). Where as a new optometrist may have more as they are waiting for patients to discover them (Quincy).
While working as an optometrist, one has many duties. According to College Grad’s, article optometrists must check for sight problems, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, depth and color perception, and ability to focus and coordinate the eyes. These can be commonly corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Optometrists also check for eye diseases such as glaucoma according to Occupation Outlook Handbook. Optometrists also look for the presence of diseases such as diabetes and refer them to other health care providers as needed. They provide other treatments, such as vision therapy or low-vision rehabilitation. They also administer drugs to patients to aid in the diagnosis of vision problems and prescribe drugs to treat some eye diseases. Optometrists also provide preoperative and postoperative care to cataract patients, as well as to patients who have had laser vision correction or other eye surgery. They promote eye health by counseling patients, including explaining how to clean and wear contact lenses. Some specialize in work with the elderly, children, or partially sighted persons who need specialized visual devices. Optometrist who own their own practices often have other duties. According to Career Overview these include responsible for office business and duties, must keep their own records, acquire a patient base, order supplies, and hire other employees when needed.
Last but certainly not least one must look at salary. According to Occupation Outlook Handbook, the lowest ten percent’s salary is $49,630, median salary is $94,000, and highest ten percent’s salary is $166,400 or more annually (“Optometrists”). According to Health Care Salary Online the top paying states are South Dakota, Connecticut, North Carolina, Alaska, and Virginia. The top paying cities are Toledo, OH, Sioux Falls, SD, Fayetteville, NC, Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL, and Houma-Bayou Cane, LA. Optometrist may receive benefits packages around $20,000 depending on the business size and other factors (“Optometrist Salary”).
If one is interested in becoming an optometrist they must look at how to become prepared, abilities and personalities needed to be an optometrist, education to become an optometrist, job outlook, environment, schedule, duties, and salary. This is a career that is one for someone people who have leadership ability, a disposition to serve others, and a work ethic characterized by dedication and persistence.
“No.”
“How about line four?”
“A. Y. E. J. K.”
“Great.”
“Is option one better or is two?”
“One.”
“Great.”
This scenario is unfolded many times daily in optometrists offices across the country. Being an optometrist is an important job. If one is interested in becoming an optometrist they must look at how to become prepared, abilities and personalities needed to be an optometrist, education to become an optometrist, job outlook, environment, schedule, duties, and and salary.
There are many ways to become prepared to be an optometrist. According to COPSystem Comprehensive Career Guide joining speech or cultural awareness clubs is a great way to get experience. Volunteering at an optometrist practice, hospital, …show more content…
or medical place is another way to get valuable experience. Completing volunteer work for elderly is a good way to learn how to work with older people. Being a camp counselor teaches you how to be patient and kind to those who you don’t know. Learning another language helps you in being able to communicate to a wider variety of patients (“Service, Professional.” 13).
One should have a abilities and personality if they want to be an optometrist.
According to COPSystem Comprehensive Career Guide an optometrist should be about their patients and their needs. An optometrists should be able to gain trust in their patients. They should be able to handle their patients in stressful environments. One should be able to tell patients instructions they need to follow. An optometrist must be able to make decisions on their own quickly especially in an emergency settings. Being able to read charts and reference materials is a must for optometrists. Being patient with the patients that don't follow directions or listen well is very important. Understanding government programs is also vital for optometrists (“Service, Professional.” …show more content…
13).
In order to become an optometrist one have to attend college.
A student can major in pre-optometry, pre-medicine, or biology for their bachelors degree. According to the Occupation Outlook Handbook it takes three to four years to obtain a bachelors degree. According to the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, after they have gotten my bachelors degree, they have to take the the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). It is a standardized test that measures general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information. Then one can apply for optometry schools. Optometry schools look for students that not only are good students but who have leadership ability, a disposition to serve others, and a work ethic characterized by dedication and persistence. According to Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry there are, 20 accredited schools in the United States. This are in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Arizona, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Florida, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, California, Tennessee, New York, Alabama, California, Missouri, Texas, and Puerto Rico. After being accepted, one will have 4 more years of college. Someone can expect to pay $21,556 to $51,420 a year (“Frequently Asked Questions”). After graduating from optometry school, they have the choice to complete one year of residency. According to the Occupation Outlook Handbook all fifty states and the District of Columbia require Doctors of Optometry to take a licensing test and to
take continuing education courses to be eligible for license renewal. Such educational programs are readily available throughout the country.
After completing optometry school, one have to find a job therefore must looking at the job outlook is very important. According to the Occupation Outlook Handbook that job outlook for optometry is rising 33% from 2010-2020 (“Optometrists”). There is going to be estimated new 11,300 jobs available (“Optometrists”). According to Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry there will be a demand in all parts of the country for optometrists as the increasing awareness of prevention and proper health care. The aging population is also a bonus for the the job outlook they will be in need of vision care service over next several decades. According to Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry optometrists are also needed to fill vacancies created through retirement of other optometrists. This is good because one want to work in a job where is a demand because someone would not want to have a job that would be outdated in a couple of years.
Each optometrist's environment may be slightly different but all have the same concept. According to the Occupation Outlook Handbook fifty,percent of optometrist were in stand alone offices of optometry, thirteen percent of optometrist work in offices of physicians, eight percent work in health and personal care stores, and two percent work in outpatient care centers (“Optometrists”). Twenty-two percent of optometrist are self employed (“Optometrists”). According to College Grad, all offices are clean, comfortable, and well lighted (“Career Information”).
After beginning working in a practice, one will quickly falls into a routine. According to Wayne Quincy, O. D., his typical day starts at 7:30 and ending at 5:30. Many optometrists work 40- 45 hour weeks. Optometrist may work evenings or weekends to make it more convenient for patients. One can expect to see multiple patients in a day (Quincy). Many times an optometrist goes back and forth between patients to maximize their time. According to College Grad, although once uncommon, some optometrist will answer to emergency calls (“Career Information”). Down time on the job varies greatly between optometrist to optometrist. According to Wayne Quincy, O.D. ,a very well established optometrist who has working for 8-10 years may have virtually have no downtime (Quincy). Where as a new optometrist may have more as they are waiting for patients to discover them (Quincy).
While working as an optometrist, one has many duties. According to College Grad’s, article optometrists must check for sight problems, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, depth and color perception, and ability to focus and coordinate the eyes. These can be commonly corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Optometrists also check for eye diseases such as glaucoma according to Occupation Outlook Handbook. Optometrists also look for the presence of diseases such as diabetes and refer them to other health care providers as needed. They provide other treatments, such as vision therapy or low-vision rehabilitation. They also administer drugs to patients to aid in the diagnosis of vision problems and prescribe drugs to treat some eye diseases. Optometrists also provide preoperative and postoperative care to cataract patients, as well as to patients who have had laser vision correction or other eye surgery. They promote eye health by counseling patients, including explaining how to clean and wear contact lenses. Some specialize in work with the elderly, children, or partially sighted persons who need specialized visual devices. Optometrist who own their own practices often have other duties. According to Career Overview these include responsible for office business and duties, must keep their own records, acquire a patient base, order supplies, and hire other employees when needed.
Last but certainly not least one must look at salary. According to Occupation Outlook Handbook, the lowest ten percent’s salary is $49,630, median salary is $94,000, and highest ten percent’s salary is $166,400 or more annually (“Optometrists”). According to Health Care Salary Online the top paying states are South Dakota, Connecticut, North Carolina, Alaska, and Virginia. The top paying cities are Toledo, OH, Sioux Falls, SD, Fayetteville, NC, Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL, and Houma-Bayou Cane, LA. Optometrist may receive benefits packages around $20,000 depending on the business size and other factors (“Optometrist Salary”).
If one is interested in becoming an optometrist they must look at how to become prepared, abilities and personalities needed to be an optometrist, education to become an optometrist, job outlook, environment, schedule, duties, and salary. This is a career that is one for someone people who have leadership ability, a disposition to serve others, and a work ethic characterized by dedication and persistence.