CSN — Ophthalmic Technology (CCS)

Ophthalmic Technology (CCS)

Contact Lens Technician Ophthalmic Dispensing Optical Laboratory Technician

Contact Lens Technician (CC)

Nature of Work

Contact Lens Technicians may work in independent practice or work under the direction of an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Contact Lens Technicians will fill a doctor's prescription for contact lenses. A patient must obtain a prescription for contact lenses from a physician. Responsibilities of the contact lens technician include: contact lens handling, fitting, and follow-up care. Contact Lens Technicians must have computer skills, communication skills, and an understanding of medical / legal implications. The job market for technicians is good with many jobs available on various shifts in private practices, corporate entities and hospitals. Career opportunities include:

Program Prerequisites

Students must have a GED or high school diploma. Students should possess good verbal and written communication skills and must be able to perform basic mathematical functions. Students may be required to show proof of health insurance and immunizations as specified by the clinical affiliate.

Program Description

This training program is designed to assist individuals in preparing for the NCLE examination, CLSA Honored Fellow Examination, and the Nevada State Board of Dispensing Opticians - Contact Lens Licensure Examination. The contact lens courses are offered during Fall and Spring semester. Refer to your current semester schedule to verify when and where these courses are being held. You will take OPHT 112B, OPHT 102B, and OPHT 220B in the Fall semester and OPHT 202B, OPHT 203B, and OPHT 161B in the following Spring semester.

Contact Lens Technician (CC) Requirements

Contact Lens Technician Advising Sheet
Contact Lens Technician Career Guide

Admission Requirements

In order to fit contact lenses in the state of Nevada, you must first obtain your Nevada License for Ophthalmic Dispensing. (See the A.A.S. Advisement sheet for Ophthalmic Technology Dispensing Emphasis.) After achieving Licensure to dispense eyewear, you must take and pass the NCLE certification exam. You will also have to complete an apprenticeship as dictated by the state board. After all of these requirements are met, you will take a written and practical examination administered by the Nevada State Board of Dispensing Opticians.

The College of Southern Nevada's Contact Lens Technician program is an Open Entry Program. Therefore, an application for admission is NOT required. Cross reference each required course with the College Catalog to verify any restrictions.

Students interested in this Certificate of Completion must contact the program director: Mr. Scott Helkaa at (702) 651-5834

Student's First Checklist

New students planning to register for courses at CSN must follow the steps outlined on the Open Entry Program Checklist. This checklist provides information on the registration process for new students seeking an Open-Entry Health Science Certificate of Achievement or Completion.

Find out how to Transfer Credits to CSN from other colleges.

Ophthalmic Dispensing for Registered Apprentices (CC)

Nature of Work

Ophthalmic Dispensers (opticians) perform a a broad range of tasks in vision care facilities. A major task performed by this professional is manufacturing lenses for prescription eye-glasses. They cut, grind, edge, and finish lenses according to specifications. Ophthalmic dispensers may also fit eyeglasses and contact lenses by filling written prescriptions by ophthalmologists or optometrists or by neutralizing existing eyewear to make duplicates of spectacle lenses. Often they help customers select the appropriate frames, lenses, and lens coatings. Dispensers also:

Fix, adjust and refit broken frames.
Instruct clients about adapting to, wearing, and caring for eyeglasses.
Keep records on customer prescriptions, work orders, and payments.
Some dispensers specialize in fitting contacts, artificial eyes or cosmetic shells that cover blemished eyes.

Employment for ophthalmic dispensers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An increase in demand for corrective lenses is expected due to growth in the population of middle-aged and older adults. Most new jobs will be in retail optical chains that manufacture prescription glasses on the premises and provide fast service.

Ophthalmic Dispensing for Registered Apprentices (CC) Requirements

Ophthalmic Dispensing for Registered Apprentices Advising Sheet
Ophthalmic Dispensing for Registered Apprentices Career Guide

Note: Students are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these Essential Functions of Ophthalmic Dispensing Students. Students with documented need for accommodation are to meet with the Disability Resources Center.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in this Certificate of Completion must contact the program director: Mr. Scott Helkaa at (702) 651-5834

Student's First Checklist

Find out how to Transfer Credits to CSN from other colleges.

Optical Laboratory Technician (CC)

Nature of Work

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians (OLT's) work in full service surfacing and finishing laboratories. OLT's manufacture a variety of eyewear working from a prescription and using raw materials. OLT's must be able to work with a variety of manual and computerized machines, complete simple mathematical formulas, and adhere to a high work ethic. OLT's must also have good verbal and written communication skills.

Career opportunities include:

Wholesale laboratories
Retail laboratories
Independent practitioner laboratories
Outside sales representatives

Program Prerequisites

Program Description

Students are required to take 2 courses consisting of 10 total credits. Courses include lecture and laboratory instruction. The Optical Laboratory Technician courses are offered during the spring and/or fall semester. Refer to your current semester schedule to verify when and where these courses are being held. In the first semester, you will take OPHT 121B and the co-requisite OPHT 121L. During your second semester, you will take OPHT 123B and 123L. Students interested in enrolling in these courses must contact the program director, Scott Helkaa, at (702) 651-5834.

Optical Laboratory Technician (CC) Requirements

Optical Laboratory Technician Advising Sheet
Optical Laboratory Technician Career Guide

Admission Requirements

Students interested in this Certificate of Completion must contact the program director: Mr. Scott Helkaa at (702) 651-5834

Student's First Checklist

Find out how to Transfer Credits to CSN from other colleges.

If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact one of our Health Programs Advisement Offices.

Charleston Campus: (702) 651-5885, Building K Lobby
North Las Vegas Campus: (702) 651-4415, Main Building Room N212
Henderson Campus: (702) 651-3563, Student Union Room 127

Or contact the Program Director, Scott Helkaa, directly:

at 702-651-5584 or 702-651-5834, or
via e-mail.