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.
Find OPT Orthoptist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 89+ Orthoptist jobs
See all 89+ Orthoptist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Orthoptist roles.
Get Access To All JobsSHIFT:
Day (United States of America)
Seeking Breakthrough Makers
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers countless ways to change lives. Our diverse community of more than 20,000 Breakthrough Makers will inspire you to pursue passions, develop expertise, and drive innovation.
At CHOP, your experience is valued; your voice is heard; and your contributions make a difference for patients and families. Join us as we build on our promise to advance pediatric care—and your career.
CHOP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, or any other legally protected categories in any employment, training, or vendor decisions or programs. CHOP recognizes the critical importance of a workforce rich in varied backgrounds and experiences and engages in ongoing efforts to achieve that through equally varied and non-discriminatory means.
A Brief Overview
The Orthoptist will help manage the care of a select group of ophthalmic patients treated at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the hospital satellite offices, as well as teaching and clinical research. The position will primarily involve clinical care in a busy multidisciplinary, academic environment with a high level of pathology and potential for involvement in the teaching and academic programs of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania.
What you will do
- Assists the pediatric ophthalmology staff with the clinical evaluation of patients by:
- Medical and ophthalmic history-taking, review of systems, medication reconciliation and summary of chief complaint.
- Vision and sensory testing, strabismus measurements, Teller visual acuity testing, visual field testing, and other components of the ophthalmic examination.
- Escorting patients to and from waiting areas and exam areas.
- Administering medicated eye drops for cycloplegia.
- Retinoscopic and manifest refraction.
- Education and instruction of patients regarding glasses, patching, administration of medications, eye exercises.
- Documenting findings concisely and accurately in the electronic health record.
- Consulting with appropriate physician as needed.
- Coordinating the timing of sequence of examination and requirements for scheduling additional tests, alerting proper clinical areas in order to facilitate patient flow, patient care, and clinic operation.
- Independently staff and operate an Orthoptics Clinic within the Ophthalmology Clinics approximately bimonthly for the management of amblyopia, diplopia, convergence insufficiency, and other orthoptic patients.
- Teaches ophthalmic technicians, medical students, ophthalmology residents, and pediatric ophthalmology fellows in ophthalmology clinics.
- Participates internal training and education with other ophthalmology staff.
- Attends and presents at continuing education offerings for orthoptists, nurses and technicians.
- Participates in departmental research activities and may assume responsibility as primary author of research involving strabismus and amblyopia patients, to be published in various orthoptic and ophthalmology journals.
- Attends and participates in seminars, conferences, and conventions.
- Delivers papers concerning own research at meetings such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology or AAPOS.
Education Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree - Required
Experience Qualifications
Prior experience in an ophthalmology clinic - Required
Skills and Abilities
- Excellent clinical and diagnostic skills. (Required proficiency)
- Ability to work compatibly with physicians and other department members. (Required proficiency)
- Must have good stamina and good decision making skills. (Required proficiency)
- Basic computer skills required and previous experience with electronic medical records preferred. (Required proficiency)
- Personal qualities include the ability to communicate effectively; both orally and in writing. (Required proficiency)
- Ability to work compatibility with physicians and other department members. (Required proficiency)
- Must have stamina and good decision making skills (Required proficiency)
Licenses and Certifications
Orthoptic Certification - American Orthoptic Council - within 12 months - Required
To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.
EEO / VEVRAA Federal Contractor | Tobacco Statement
SALARY RANGE:
$81,670.00 - $104,130.00 Annually
Salary ranges are shown for full-time jobs. If you're working part-time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.
At CHOP, we are committed to fair and transparent pay practices. Factors such as skills and experience could result in an offer above the salary range noted in this job posting. Click here for more information regarding CHOP's Compensation and Benefits.
SHIFT:
Day (United States of America)
Seeking Breakthrough Makers
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers countless ways to change lives. Our diverse community of more than 20,000 Breakthrough Makers will inspire you to pursue passions, develop expertise, and drive innovation.
At CHOP, your experience is valued; your voice is heard; and your contributions make a difference for patients and families. Join us as we build on our promise to advance pediatric care—and your career.
CHOP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, or any other legally protected categories in any employment, training, or vendor decisions or programs. CHOP recognizes the critical importance of a workforce rich in varied backgrounds and experiences and engages in ongoing efforts to achieve that through equally varied and non-discriminatory means.
A Brief Overview
The Orthoptist will help manage the care of a select group of ophthalmic patients treated at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the hospital satellite offices, as well as teaching and clinical research. The position will primarily involve clinical care in a busy multidisciplinary, academic environment with a high level of pathology and potential for involvement in the teaching and academic programs of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania.
What you will do
- Assists the pediatric ophthalmology staff with the clinical evaluation of patients by:
- Medical and ophthalmic history-taking, review of systems, medication reconciliation and summary of chief complaint.
- Vision and sensory testing, strabismus measurements, Teller visual acuity testing, visual field testing, and other components of the ophthalmic examination.
- Escorting patients to and from waiting areas and exam areas.
- Administering medicated eye drops for cycloplegia.
- Retinoscopic and manifest refraction.
- Education and instruction of patients regarding glasses, patching, administration of medications, eye exercises.
- Documenting findings concisely and accurately in the electronic health record.
- Consulting with appropriate physician as needed.
- Coordinating the timing of sequence of examination and requirements for scheduling additional tests, alerting proper clinical areas in order to facilitate patient flow, patient care, and clinic operation.
- Independently staff and operate an Orthoptics Clinic within the Ophthalmology Clinics approximately bimonthly for the management of amblyopia, diplopia, convergence insufficiency, and other orthoptic patients.
- Teaches ophthalmic technicians, medical students, ophthalmology residents, and pediatric ophthalmology fellows in ophthalmology clinics.
- Participates internal training and education with other ophthalmology staff.
- Attends and presents at continuing education offerings for orthoptists, nurses and technicians.
- Participates in departmental research activities and may assume responsibility as primary author of research involving strabismus and amblyopia patients, to be published in various orthoptic and ophthalmology journals.
- Attends and participates in seminars, conferences, and conventions.
- Delivers papers concerning own research at meetings such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology or AAPOS.
Education Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree - Required
Experience Qualifications
Prior experience in an ophthalmology clinic - Required
Skills and Abilities
- Excellent clinical and diagnostic skills. (Required proficiency)
- Ability to work compatibly with physicians and other department members. (Required proficiency)
- Must have good stamina and good decision making skills. (Required proficiency)
- Basic computer skills required and previous experience with electronic medical records preferred. (Required proficiency)
- Personal qualities include the ability to communicate effectively; both orally and in writing. (Required proficiency)
- Ability to work compatibility with physicians and other department members. (Required proficiency)
- Must have stamina and good decision making skills (Required proficiency)
Licenses and Certifications
Orthoptic Certification - American Orthoptic Council - within 12 months - Required
To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.
EEO / VEVRAA Federal Contractor | Tobacco Statement
SALARY RANGE:
$81,670.00 - $104,130.00 Annually
Salary ranges are shown for full-time jobs. If you're working part-time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.
At CHOP, we are committed to fair and transparent pay practices. Factors such as skills and experience could result in an offer above the salary range noted in this job posting. Click here for more information regarding CHOP's Compensation and Benefits.
See all 89+ OPT Orthoptist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Orthoptist Jobs.
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.