Questions to Ask for an Optical Tech Interview

by Mary Bauer, Demand Media Google

Since the optical technician often sees a patient before the doctor does, she sets the tone for how the patient views the office, including the level of professionalism, helpfulness and friendliness of the staff. It is challenging to project the right level of authority and confidence while also putting a patient at ease. Optical technician interviews should be structured to determine if the candidate has both the requisite skills and the right personality to succeed in this crucial role.

Types of Optical Technicians

Depending on where you live, the term “optical technician" may refer either to a person who functions as an eye doctor’s assistant or as a laboratory technician. The doctor’s assistant, often called a “tech” for short, meets with the patient before the doctor to review his medical history and record any medications he may be taking. The tech also may conduct pre-exam testing, such as visual acuity, glaucoma screening and blood pressure.
An optical laboratory technician produces lenses for glasses and sometimes makes contact lenses and specialized optical lenses for instruments such as telescopes and binoculars.

Education Questions

A high school diploma or Graduate Equivalency Degree is the only formal education requirement for an optical technician, but more advanced education and certification are a big plus. An optical technician interview should include questions to determine this, such as the following.
What is your highest level of education? Have you taken courses in biology? How well did you do? Do you have any optical certifications? Describe any on-the-job training you have received relevant to this position.

Skills and Experience Questions

Obviously, it's easier for the employer if the candidate has previous optical experience. Interview questions to determine the candidate's level of experience may include the following.
Describe your previous work experience. What optical equipment have you operated? What are your strengths that relate to this job? What is your greatest weakness? In what areas do you think you would benefit from further training or experience? What additional optical education or training would you like to pursue?

Interpersonal Skills Questions

With the exception of those who work in production laboratories, optical technicians spend the majority of their day around patients. This demands a level of poise, patience and self-control beyond what you normally encounter in working with peers and management within a company. Interview questions aimed at determining the applicant's abilities in this area may include the following.
Describe a situation in which you had to deal with someone you found unpleasant. What kind of people don't you like? Why are you interested in working as an optical technician? What would you do if a patient became angry because the doctor is running late? How would you respond if a patient complained that products and services are too expensive?

General Questions

Since eye-care practices are also businesses, it's important to determine if a candidate has initiative, motivation and an interest in the business side of the job. Broad opening questions, such as the following, can be very useful to determine this.
How would you describe yourself? What did you do to prepare for this interview?

About the Author

A retired federal senior executive currently working as a management consultant and communications expert, Mary Bauer has written and edited for senior U.S. government audiences, including the White House, since 1984. She holds a Master of Arts in French from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts in English, French and international relations from Aquinas College.

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