I'd just ask if he's looking for any help over the summer. Some places are fully functioning with their staff, other places can always use an extra hand.
As for a generalization, it's hard to say. I've worked at 2 OD's offices over the past 6 years, part time (one in Ontario, one in BC). One as independant, one was part of a visual group (IRIS in Canada).
Staff were:
Independant:
--> No lisenced Opticians (Lisenced OD's and Opticians can't practice together), but one was one in England
--> 2 CAO Certified Optometric Assistants
--> 1 High School student
--> 1 Pre-Op student
--> 1 Secretary (not sure qualifications)
--> Me (was a high school student at the time)
Duties varied depending on the person. At that office (where I started), I did mostly secretarial work and pre-testing (RK's, NCT's). Later I also did VF's and worked at the Optical Lab edging lenses.
In BC, the staff included:
--> 1 Optician (Manager)
--> 1 Optometric Assistant
--> 1 BSc (Bio)
--> 1 BSc (Chem)
--> 1 BA (History)
--> 1 BA (Anthro)
--> 1 BA (Russian Studies)
--> 1 High School Diploma
--> 1 High School Student (me)
Duties varied. Personally, I did:
--> Dispensing
--> VF's, RK's, NCT's
--> Edging (Lab in the back)
--> Some secretarial
Being one of the 2 part timers, I did mostly nighgt shifts, and so did whatever was required at the time. I was usually booked for an hour to do VF's, then I'd do any edging that as around, and dispense/sell to anyone who required it. Only thing I didn't do was contacts, and that's because contacts were only done during the day when I wasn't around.
So it really varies, depending on the optometrist and what they require.
CH
