Optometrists

Professional Certification | Recognition through Misrad Hachinuch | Working as a Salaried Employee | Finding Your First Job | Opening Your Own Practice | Teaching Optometry | Knowledge of Hebrew

For Doctors of Optometry (ODs) who are accustomed to practicing optometry in the U.S. and Canada, the practice of the profession in Israel may seem relatively limited. Israeli optometrists do not prescribe medication, nor do they generally use diagnostic pharmaceuticals, as is common in North America. The role of optometrists is to provide vision care, not to function as eye doctors, and many of the responsibilities held by optometrists in North America are only performed in Israel by ophthalmologists.

An Overview of the Study of Optometry in Israel

The study of optometry in Israel varies significantly from how the field is studied in the U.S. In the U.S., the study of optometry includes much emphasis on diagnosing and treating eye disease.  The minimum number of years to obtain the OD (Doctor of Optometry) degree is six, including a minimum of 2 years of undergraduate studies, followed by 4 years of graduate school.  Licensing examinations in America encompass several days worth of testing, in general.  Many holders of the OD degree are also owners of a Bacchalaureate degree in a related field as well in math, science, or psychology.  Optometrists are reimbursed by health insurance companies for both optical and medical services rendered, and all optometrists in the U.S. cover themselves with malpractice insurance.

In contrast, the Israeli optometrist's training involves more coursework of spectacles, contact lenses, low vision, and vision training, and less disease detection and management.  The standard degree is the B. Optom. Bachelor's degree (although recently both Hadassah College and Bar-Ilan University began offering separate Master's Degree in Optometry programs). The four years of study for the B. Optom. degree do not involve daily classes, in contrast to the American curriculum which requires a full-time load of studies. Optometrists in Israel have no continuing education requirements. The licensing examination usually consists of a few hours of a written test, followed by a brief practical test. Malpractice insurance is less common. 

Professional Certification

In order to obtain a license from the Ministry of Health, you must personally submit your request at the Misrad Habriut office closest to your home (according to the address written in your Israeli Identification Card.) The following is a list of the documents necessary for processing this request:

• An application form (3 copies).
• 3 photocopies of Teudat Zehut (Israeli identity card), including the address stub and/or photocopy of passport with valid authorization for living in Israel.
• 3 personal photos.
• Original diplomas (or letter from the dean of the faculty indicating that you completed your studies and are entitled to a diploma).
• Official document confirming the start and end date of studies.
• Official document confirming completion of the specified period of practical work or internship; or official confirmation of having worked in the profession for at least one year.
• Valid license.
• Official documents confirming clinical work in hospitals or medical institutions.
• Letter(s) of "Good Standing" from the appropriate professional boards. The letter confirms that there are no, and have not been any, disciplinary, negligence or professional ethics complaints against the optometrist.
• Israel Police confirmation of the absence of criminal records (or alternatively: details of the existing criminal records in the applicant’s name). In the absence of confirmation, the Medical Professionals Licensing Division will contact the police to receive the confirmation.

To receive a license to practice optometry in Israel, graduates of institutions recognized to teach optometry overseas must successfully pass the government licensing examinations for this profession.

You must fill out a form, requesting to take the optometry exam. The form is available at the Misrad Habriut offices or online at: http://www.health.gov.il/pages/default.asp?maincat=4&catid=306&pageid=2785

Note: All of the documents must be submitted in the original plus 2 photocopies.

If a notary translated the document, the original notarized copy and 2 photocopies of the translation should be attached. If the document is not translated, it should be submitted in 3 copies, with the photocopies verified at the bureau by comparing them to the original document. 

Any of the documents requested above which are not in either English, Arabic, or Latin must be submitted with a Hebrew translation, translated by a notary in Israel.

Recognition of Diplomas through Misrad Hachinuch

If you intend to work in any public institution including hospitals, you must have all of your academic diplomas recognized by Misrad Hachinuch (Ministry of Education) for salary assessment purposes. When you work in a public institution, your salary is partially based on your level of education. See Recognition of Academic Degrees.

Working as a Salaried Employee

Israeli optometrists often work in shifts, for example, 9 am to 2 pm or 4 pm to 10 pm, making it an ideal position for people seeking part-time work. While full-time positions (with perks and benefits) do exist, many optometrists seeking full-time hours end up working in more than one place.

Currently, there are many stores that are looking for optometrists, particularly in the center of the country. However, the number of open positions is shrinking as more and more optometrists graduate from Israel's two optometry schools (Bar Ilan University and Hadassah College of Optometry) each year.

The pay scale for a salaried optometrist is usually based on an hourly rate averaging 50 NIS an hour, either with or without perks.

Finding Your First Job

One way to begin looking for work is to directly contact your local health funds and speak to the department head of Optometry.

In addition, optometrists seeking employment should check the bulletin board at the Hadassah Academic College of Technology, located within the Optometry Department.  Listings from all over the country are posted.

It is also possible to turn to the government employment bureau for academics, known as the Bureau for the Placement of Professionals (Lishka Le Ta'asukat Acadama'im). In Jerusalem, go to:

Lishkat Taasuka
5th Floor of (new) Central Bus Station, Jerusalem
Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, 8:30 – 11:30 AM and 12:30 – 2:00 PM
Monday, Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Phone: 02 501 3111
Etti and Bilha speak English.

For a full listing of Lishkat Taasuka locations throughout Israel, see http://www.taasuka.gov.il/branches.asp.

Finally, word of mouth is often one of the best sources of job leads. Don't hesitate to let everyone you can know that you are seeking work, and follow up on any leads they may offer. Many positions are filled without ever being advertised.

Opening Your Own Practice

If you have a good business sense and an interest in running your own optical store, you may want to consider becoming self-employed. Running your own optical store can be quite lucrative. However, before you decide to strike out on your own, network with other self-employed professionals in order to gain their advice, learn from their experiences and find out how Israeli businesses differ from similar businesses overseas. Speak to other optometrists to learn about issues specific to the industry such as standard payment methods and local market trends regarding eyeglass frames and contact lenses. When you're conducting market research, it may be uncomfortable to consult with optometrists who may later become your competitors; therefore, make a point of speaking to people who run businesses that are far away from the community where you would like to eventually open your own.

Perhaps it goes without saying that marketing is a key element in the success of any business. Community email lists and local bulletins are helpful in publicizing your services. Writing a column for a local newspaper is a good way to establish your name in the community. To improve your chances of attracting clients, explore the possibility of developing a professional niche, such as specializing in vision training or low vision.

For general information about running a small business in Israel, see Business.

Teaching Optometry

Some optometrists find employment teaching optometry at Bar Ilan University or the Hadassah College of Optometry. Salaries for professors in these programs tend to be higher than what one typically earns in an optical store, and the teaching can be professionally rewarding.

Knowledge of Hebrew

For optometrists, Hebrew is critical in order to communicate with clients as you examine them. There may be a handful of places looking specifically for English speakers, but even if you work only with clients who speak English, you will still need to speak Hebrew when dealing with the various agencies that make up the Israeli medical network.
It is best to start studying Hebrew before you make Aliyah, and continue in Ulpan after you arrive in Israel. For a full listing of Ulpan options, see the Ulpan Guide.
In addition to regular Ulpan, Misrad HaKlita offers an Ulpan for medical professionals - shlav bet. This Ulpan is helpful (though not absolutely necessary) because it helps you become familiar with professional terminology. The class opens provided there are enough people who are interested. Be in touch with your local branch of Misrad HaKlita to find out when the next class will begin. For more information, see Medical Ulpan.

Other Resources

• Israel Council of Optometrists: http://www.ico.org.il/Hebrew/

Special thanks to Dr. Chaim Silva, OD for their professional contributions to this article. For additional information, you can reach Dr. Silva at tcsilva18@013.net.