Allied Health
Vision Care Technology
SCC will not enroll Vision Care students in 2011-2012.
Overview
A career in vision care technology incorporates technology advances and computerized
eye testing in a variety of job opportunities within the health care field. Vision care
technologists assist specialists of optometry, ophthalmology, and opticianry to provide a
full scope of vision care. Duties include pre-testing patients' vision, manufacturing and
dispensing contact lenses and glasses, and assisting doctors with instillation of
medication and minor surgery.
Visionary Solutions
Vision Care Technology at SCC was the first and is still the only
vision program in eastern Washington State. It is the only program in the western
United States where all sectors of the optometry industry come to recruit
new staff because of its national reputation for developing top
professionals.
The vision industry within the Inland Northwest grew dramatically in
the last 20 years because of the pool of professionals trained in the SCC
Vision Care Technology program. Now, new testing methods, faster eyeglass
manufacturing, higher requirements for quality, larger product lines, and
more regulations mean increased technology and better training is needed
to "see" more patients get better eye care.
This means more opportunity
for those now trained at SCC.
A Vision to the Future: National Statistics
Demands for eyewear rose to the highest level ever in industry history
in 1998:
- 158 million people use eyewear in the U.S.; this number increases by 1 million each year.
- 25% of all adults have a chronic eye condition needing medical attention.
- 25% of the U.S. population under 12 require some visual correction.
- 98% of the elderly (65 or older) need visual assistance.
- 35 million people (age 50-64) need cataract surgery.
- 45 million baby boomers need reading prescriptions.
- Parents annually spend $50 billion on child eye care.
It adds up to new career
growth and advancement.
Results You Can Expect:
Fast-paced environment: Support primary physicians as they diagnose and
dispense what their patients need, fill eyeglass prescriptions or
recommend new, fashion designer eyewear, help treat eye diseases or be an
attendant to refractive lens or other surgery.
High Tech/High Touch: Be appreciated for your skills and knowledge by
the people you meet and help, and still use the latest in medical
technology.
High Success:
"Too old to start something new." "Didn't
do well in school before." "Can't afford to do it".
"I'm a little afraid."
We have a place for you. You can start now.
"I was looking for a new direction and happened upon vision care. It's a
wonderful career! As a site coordinator, I'm in charge of managing the
office. And as an optometric technician, I perform pre-op evaluations as
well as assist in surgery."
Cheryl A. Henry,
site coordinator and optometric technician
Within 3 quarters, you will be
an intern in an office
or clinic.
Persons with Disabilities
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, accommodations for
students with disabilities will be considered at the student's request. The student will be required to register
with the Disability Support Services office and provide documentation of disability. Once the student is qualified
by the DSS Manager as having a disability, requested accommodations will be considered. Accommodations for the
classroom, laboratory, or clinical setting will be considered according to reasonableness. Accommodations that
compromise patient care, or that fundamentally alter the nature of the program or activity, are not considered
to be reasonable. A student denied accommodation may request an individualized determination to assure that the
denial is not a result of disability discrimination by contacting the Manager of Disability Support Services and
Testing at 533-7498. Contact the SCC Disability Support Services office to obtain a copy of the procedures for
appeal of an accommodation denial. Other than accommodation issues, procedures for student grievances including academic
dismissal are outlined in the following SCC website:
www.scc.spokane.edu/?concerns.
For additional information, please contact Disability Support Services.