Optician / Contact Lens Practitioner (Licensed) – Costco – Vancouver, BC
Location: Vancouver, BC | Company: Costco Wholesale
Costco’s optical department at their Vancouver location on Expo Blvd is looking for a Licensed Optician / Contact Lens Practitioner to join their team. This is a hands-on, member-focused role where your expertise in eyewear fitting, contact lens assessment, and optical dispensing directly improves the day-to-day lives of Costco members.
From selecting the right frames to fitting contact lenses using a slit lamp, this role covers the full scope of optical care in a busy retail environment. You’ll also play a key part in mentoring apprentices and ensuring the department runs smoothly and safely.
About the Role: Optician / Contact Lens Practitioner
As a Licensed Optician at Costco Vancouver, you’ll be the go-to expert helping members choose eyeglass frames, ophthalmic lenses, sunglasses, and contact lenses that suit their prescriptions and lifestyles. You’ll conduct measurements, process orders using in-store computer systems, and dispense completed eyewear — all while delivering the kind of accurate, courteous service Costco is known for.
This role also involves overseeing apprentices and students, maintaining your provincial licensing in good standing, and upholding the department’s standards for hygiene, record-keeping, and product storage. Staying current on your Contact Lens Fitter certification is a key part of staying in this position long-term.
Benefits and Salary
This position offers a wage of $33.00 per hour. Costco is widely recognized for offering employees competitive compensation packages, and working in a unionized optical environment at Costco typically comes with strong benefits. Specific details on the full benefits package would be confirmed during the hiring process.
Job Details
📌 Job Type: Permanent / Regular
🏢 Company: Costco
📍 Location: 605 Expo Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6B 1V4
📞 Phone: 604-622-5050
💰 Pay: $33.00/hour
⏱️ Pay Rate Type: Hourly
Responsibilities
Working in Costco’s optical department means taking on a wide range of professional duties each day. From precise measurements to member education and apprentice oversight, this role demands both technical skill and a genuine commitment to member care.
- Assist members in selecting eyeglass frames, sunglasses, contact lenses, and ophthalmic lens options tailored to their prescriptions
- Measure cornea base curve and determine the correct contact lens fit for each member
- Conduct pupillary distance measurements accurately using a pupilometer or ruler
- Determine placement of multi-focal and bifocal heights with precision
- Examine members’ eyes using a slit lamp to assess general ocular health and assist in contact lens fitting
- Process orders in the computer system, including placing special orders with outside vendors by telephone
- Handle transactions accurately — cash, cheque, credit, and debit — following all payment and cash-handling procedures
- Verify and dispense completed eyeglasses and contact lenses against prescriptions, adjusting frames using frame warmers and manual techniques
- Maintain contact lens trial inventory at proper levels and manage optical merchandise and supply orders
- Oversee apprentices and students as required for their certification qualification
- Maintain licensing requirements to ensure membership in good standing with the provincial order
- Uphold department cleanliness and safety standards, including cleaning displays and merchandise
Requirements / Skills
This role is designed for a fully licensed and experienced Dispensing Optician who is equally comfortable on the clinical and customer-facing sides of optical care. Costco values professionals who are detail-oriented, technically proficient, and committed to ongoing certification.
- Provincial Ophthalmic Dispenser accreditation — relevant provincial education and training required
- Provincial License as Dispensing Optician — active, in-good-standing license is mandatory
- Certified Contact Lens Fitter designation required; opticians without it must enrol in the course within one year of hire
- Licensed Optician / Contact Lens Fitter experience is preferred
- Computer, math, and member service skills — comfort with optical ordering systems and daily transactions is an asset
- Ability to assist members in booking doctor appointments and support the broader member experience
How to Apply
To apply, visit the official Costco job posting using the link below. Make sure your resume is up to date and clearly reflects your licensing credentials and optical experience before submitting.
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Job Summary & Tips for Applying
Quick Summary & What to Highlight: This Optician / Contact Lens Practitioner role at Costco in Vancouver is ideal for candidates who excel in contact lens fitting, ophthalmic dispensing, and member-centred care. On your resume, emphasize your active provincial dispensing optician licence, your Contact Lens Fitter certification, and any hands-on experience with slit lamp assessments or multi-focal fittings. If you’ve previously worked in a retail optical or clinical optical environment, highlight specific achievements and responsibilities that align with this position.
Resume & Application Tips: Before applying, tailor your resume to match the job description. Include keywords like Dispensing Optician, Contact Lens Fitter, and ophthalmic dispensing that appear in the posting. Quantify your achievements where possible (e.g., “fitted 20+ patients daily with single-vision and multi-focal lenses” or “maintained 100% compliance with provincial licensing requirements”). Write a brief cover letter expressing your interest in joining Costco‘s optical team in Vancouver and noting your active certifications. Double-check your application for spelling errors and confirm your licensing details are clearly stated.
Interview Preparation: If selected for an interview, research Costco‘s values around member service, quality, and employee development beforehand. Prepare specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to demonstrate your technical optical skills and member service approach. Common questions may include scenarios about handling complex prescriptions, managing apprentices, or resolving member concerns. Dress professionally for a healthcare and retail environment, arrive 10–15 minutes early, and bring copies of your resume along with documentation of your provincial licences and certifications. Prepare thoughtful questions about the optical team structure and continuing education support. After the interview, send a thank-you email within 24 hours reiterating your interest in the position.