Optician jobs in Finland
Opticians help to improve and correct an individual's vision according to prescriptions provided by a specialised doctor in ophthalmology or an optometrist. They fit spectacle lenses and frames, contact lenses, and other devices to the specifications of both the individual and the prescription. Opticians do not test patients vision nor write prescriptions for visual correction. Their scope of practice varies according to national regulations.
Optician - Which skills are essential?
Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.
Offer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and health conditions. Provide advice on the identification of risks leading to ill health and help to increase the patients' resilience by targeting prevention and early intervention strategies.
Provide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.
Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.
Attitude that puts customers at the centre of the business in all cases.
Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.
Demonstrate how to insert, remove and care for contact lenses; ensure that contact lenses will fit correctly and feel comfortable.
The patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.
The characteristics of optical glass such as refractive index, dispersion, and chemical properties.
Shape and bend plastic or metal eyeglass frames in order to adjust eyeglasses to fit customers using pliers and hands and applying heat if necessary.
Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.
Use a lensometer to take measurements for clients who do not have a prescription in order to make eyeglasses and lenses.
Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) are treated confidentially.
Prepare and oversee work scheme and day-to-day activities for the optical laboratory.
Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.
Provide customers with detailed advice on the correct use and maintenance of eyewear.
Practise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.
Operate optical measuring equipment to take client's measurements; determine bridge and eye size, papillary distance, vertex distance, optical eye centres, etc., in order to manufacture customised eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
The various national or international quality standards for ophthalmic equipment (glasses, lenses, etc) such as ISO 10685-1:2011.
Dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses according to doctors' prescriptions.
Repair or replace damaged lenses for customers' spectacles.
Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
Repair/replace damaged frames or glasses for customers.
Ensure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.
Verify that lenses are according to the specifications.
Interpret and coordinate frames and eye measurements in accordance with the customer's optical prescriptions.
Shape and cut lenses to fit into frames for eyeglasses, according to prescriptions or specifications.
Eye protection regulations and relevant standards in relation to occupational visual requirements.
Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.
Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
Apply a broad range of bio-medical, psycho-social, organisational, educational, and societal aspects of health, disease, and healthcare to improve healthcare services and to improve quality of life.
Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
Keep records of customers' prescriptions, payments and work orders sent to the laboratory.
Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.
Promote inclusion in health care and social services and respect diversity of beliefs, culture, values and preferences, keeping in mind the importance of equality and diversity issues.
Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.
Advise patients on how to clean and wear contact lenses to maximise lifespan and minimise risk of complications.
Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
The characteristics and usage of optical instruments such as lens-meter, to determine refractive power of lenses such as glasses.
Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
Optician - Which skills are useful but not essential?
Register and handle cash transactions by using point of sale register.
Sell glasses and sunglasses, contact lenses, spectacles, binoculars, cleaning kits and other eye-related products, according to customer's needs in terms of optical requirements such as bi-focals, varifocals and reactolite.
Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and services and by supplying after-sales information and service.
Count the money; balance cash drawer at the end of the shift; receive payments and process payment information; use scanning equipment.
Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.
Accept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attention to safety and the protection of personal data.
Reach set sales goals, measured in revenue or sold units. Reach the target within a specific timeframe, prioritise sold products and services accordingly and plan in advance.
Identify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.
Use foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.
Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
Transfer the care of a patient to the ophthalmology service, the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye.
Communicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.