OPT Orthoptist Jobs
Orthoptist roles in the U.S. require state licensure, clinical credentialing, and an employer willing to file an LCA before your OPT end date. With a 12-month standard OPT window and a 24-month STEM extension available for qualifying programs, targeting ophthalmology practices and academic medical centers early gives you the best runway for a sponsored transition.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Children’s Specialists of San Diego (CSSD) is a medical group of pediatric specialists. CSSD physicians and extenders, in conjunction with UCSD physicians, provide services through Rady Children’s Specialists of San Diego, a Medical Foundation (RCSSD).
With special programs and state-of-the-art technology, CSSD physicians are committed to providing top quality medical care for neonatal, pediatric, adolescent patients and patients with congenital conditions.
This employment opportunity is being recruited by Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego on behalf of Children's Specialists of San Diego.
JOB SUMMARY
Under the general supervision of the Ophthalmology Division Chief, performs an array of duties in the Ophthalmology Division to include providing clinical services to patients.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's Degree
- 2 years in an accredited Orthoptic program
- Ability to work independently and request assistance appropriately
- Knowledge and ability to collect appropriate data/clinical information
- Communicates/documents information in a timely and effective manner; maintains confidentiality of data/clinical information
- Demonstrates initiative and good judgment; ability to routinely organize and prioritize in an efficient and productive manner; demonstrates appropriate work attendance and punctuality
COMPENSATION
- The current salary range for this position is $43.57 to $65.35
Children’s Specialists of San Diego is committed to compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable. We demonstrate this commitment by conducting regular market reviews to remain competitive with organizations of similar size in the healthcare sector. The range listed above does not represent the full salary range for the position but is the expected hiring range for qualified candidates. Compensation decisions consider a variety of factors including experience, education, licensure, unique skillsets, organizational need, and internal equity.
INTRODUCTION
Children’s Specialists of San Diego (CSSD) is a medical group of pediatric specialists. CSSD physicians and extenders, in conjunction with UCSD physicians, provide services through Rady Children’s Specialists of San Diego, a Medical Foundation (RCSSD).
With special programs and state-of-the-art technology, CSSD physicians are committed to providing top quality medical care for neonatal, pediatric, adolescent patients and patients with congenital conditions.
This employment opportunity is being recruited by Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego on behalf of Children's Specialists of San Diego.
JOB SUMMARY
Under the general supervision of the Ophthalmology Division Chief, performs an array of duties in the Ophthalmology Division to include providing clinical services to patients.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's Degree
- 2 years in an accredited Orthoptic program
- Ability to work independently and request assistance appropriately
- Knowledge and ability to collect appropriate data/clinical information
- Communicates/documents information in a timely and effective manner; maintains confidentiality of data/clinical information
- Demonstrates initiative and good judgment; ability to routinely organize and prioritize in an efficient and productive manner; demonstrates appropriate work attendance and punctuality
COMPENSATION
- The current salary range for this position is $43.57 to $65.35
Children’s Specialists of San Diego is committed to compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable. We demonstrate this commitment by conducting regular market reviews to remain competitive with organizations of similar size in the healthcare sector. The range listed above does not represent the full salary range for the position but is the expected hiring range for qualified candidates. Compensation decisions consider a variety of factors including experience, education, licensure, unique skillsets, organizational need, and internal equity.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Orthoptist
Verify your STEM OPT extension eligibility early
Check whether your orthoptics or vision science program carries a STEM-designated CIP code before you graduate. A 24-month extension more than doubles your sponsorship runway and changes how employers evaluate the cost of filing.
Research LCA filing history at target employers
Search the OFLC Wage Search tool for orthoptist and ophthalmic technician job titles before applying. Employers who have certified LCAs in recent years are already familiar with the DOL process and less likely to decline sponsorship over paperwork concerns.
Get your state orthoptist license before your OPT start date
Most hospital systems and ophthalmology groups require an active state credential before they'll extend an offer. Starting the licensing process during your final semester prevents the common gap where your OPT is running but you can't legally work yet.
Target academic medical centers with established immigration programs
Large academic hospitals and university-affiliated eye institutes routinely sponsor H-1B visa petitions for allied health roles. Their HR teams understand LCA requirements and often absorb filing costs as a standard recruitment benefit.
Use Migrate Mate to line up your H-1B filing before OPT expires
The H-1B cap-gap rule only protects your status if your petition is filed before April 1 of the lottery year. Migrate Mate walks you through the employer filing timeline so you don't miss the registration window while managing your clinical caseload.
Clarify your O*NET specialty occupation classification with your employer
Orthoptist maps to a specific O*NET code that supports specialty occupation status, but some HR teams default to broader allied health titles that weaken the petition. Confirm that your job description and the SOC code on the LCA match the orthoptist classification before your employer submits.
Orthoptist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an orthoptist in the U.S. on OPT without a state license?
No. Every state that recognizes orthoptists as a licensed profession requires an active credential before you can provide direct patient care. You can accept a job offer while your license application is pending, but your start date will be tied to licensure approval. Check your target state's medical board requirements as soon as you have a program completion date, because processing times vary by state.
Does an orthoptist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Orthoptist positions require at minimum a bachelor's degree in orthoptics or a closely related field, which satisfies the specialty occupation definition under USCIS standards. The O*NET profile for orthoptists places the role in Job Zone 4, supporting the degree requirement. Your employer's job description should reflect clinical duties that are consistent with that credential requirement to avoid a Request for Evidence.
How do I find orthoptist employers on OPT who have sponsored visas before?
Search the OFLC Wage Search tool using the orthoptist SOC code to see which employers have certified LCAs in recent years. Academic medical centers, pediatric hospitals, and multi-location ophthalmology groups appear most frequently. Migrate Mate also surfaces employers with active visa sponsorship history, so you can filter your job search to practices already familiar with the process.
What happens to my OPT if my orthoptist job offer is rescinded after I've started?
You have a 60-day unemployment grace period during standard OPT and up to 90 days during a STEM OPT extension. If your offer falls through, you can use that window to secure a new qualifying position without losing your authorized status. Report any employment changes to your DSO promptly, because unreported gaps can create compliance issues that complicate a future H-1B petition.
Does working part-time as an orthoptist satisfy OPT employment requirements?
Yes, for standard OPT, part-time work of at least 20 hours per week in a position directly related to your degree qualifies as authorized employment. During a STEM OPT extension, USCIS requires full-time employment with an E-Verify enrolled employer, so a part-time arrangement alone would not meet the extension requirements. Confirm your employer's E-Verify enrollment before accepting a STEM OPT position.