Orthoptist Jobs for OPT Students
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 JobsOrthoptist - Ophthalmology Department
WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!
JOB SUMMARY
Works under minimal supervision to provide orthoptic consultations on patients.
UT Southwestern is currently seeking an Orthoptist to join our Ophthalmology team. This healthcare professional specializes in diagnosing and non-surgically treating eye movement disorders, binocular vision problems, and pediatric eye conditions. They work with patients of all ages, commonly treating conditions like strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), and double vision.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare - no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required
Education
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience or completion of 2-year Orthoptic program
Experience
2 years of experience in ophthalmic technology with Bachelor's Degree or Internship in orthoptics with the completion of 2-year Orthoptic program
Preferred
Licenses and Certifications
Orthoptic certification is a plus. Upon Hire
JOB DUTIES
- Perform orthoptic exams on ophthalmology patients including diagnosis and treatment of specific conditions.
- Provide instructions/education to patients or family members concerning diagnoses or treatment plans.
- Interpret clinical or diagnostic test results.
- Provide training to ophthalmology residents, medical students, physician's assistants, and allied health personnel on pediatric ophthalmology.
- May plan and coordinate the daily operational activities of the department including direct supervision of the clinic assistant and the ophthalmology residents on rotation.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
Orthoptist - Ophthalmology Department
WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!
JOB SUMMARY
Works under minimal supervision to provide orthoptic consultations on patients.
UT Southwestern is currently seeking an Orthoptist to join our Ophthalmology team. This healthcare professional specializes in diagnosing and non-surgically treating eye movement disorders, binocular vision problems, and pediatric eye conditions. They work with patients of all ages, commonly treating conditions like strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), and double vision.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare - no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required
Education
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience or completion of 2-year Orthoptic program
Experience
2 years of experience in ophthalmic technology with Bachelor's Degree or Internship in orthoptics with the completion of 2-year Orthoptic program
Preferred
Licenses and Certifications
Orthoptic certification is a plus. Upon Hire
JOB DUTIES
- Perform orthoptic exams on ophthalmology patients including diagnosis and treatment of specific conditions.
- Provide instructions/education to patients or family members concerning diagnoses or treatment plans.
- Interpret clinical or diagnostic test results.
- Provide training to ophthalmology residents, medical students, physician's assistants, and allied health personnel on pediatric ophthalmology.
- May plan and coordinate the daily operational activities of the department including direct supervision of the clinic assistant and the ophthalmology residents on rotation.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Orthoptist Jobs
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 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 jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Orthoptist JobsFrequently 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.
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