Ophthalmic Technician Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Ophthalmic technician jobs in the U.S. can be sponsored under the H-1B visa if the role meets specialty occupation requirements, or through EB-3 green card sponsorship for skilled clinical positions. Many eye care practices and hospital ophthalmology departments actively file Labor Condition Applications for qualified candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsTitle: Ophthalmic Technician I
Location: Upper East Side; Brooklyn; West Side
Org Unit: Clinical Operations
Work Days:
Weekly Hours: 35.00
Exemption Status: Non-Exempt
Salary Range: $30.77 - $36.04
- As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices
Position Summary
Under general direction, performs basic diagnostic ophthalmic tests and provides administrative and patient care support to the practice. This role also assists with and maintains efficient patient flow.
Job Responsibilities
- Ensures patient safety is maintained at all times.
- Responsible for maintaining a sterile environment. Ensures standard infection control precautions are observed.
- Responsible for obtaining pre-procedural consent forms and other related documentation. Educates patients regarding administration of medications, as well as pre- or post-operative procedural instructions as directed by the provider.
- Performs basic diagnostic tests, including but not limited to, Auto Refraction, Lensometry, Visual Field Testing, OCTs (Ocular Coherence Tomography) and Applanation Tonometry.
- Accompanies the provider into the exam room, updates or collects patient history and inputs patient data into the practice management system. Explains procedure to be performed to patient prior to procedure and answers any questions throughout.
- Assists with minor surgical procedures and/or injection preparations.
- Maintains inventory of supplies, equipment and/or reagents. May order supplies/equipment/reagents as authorized or ensure that needs are escalated appropriately. Receives supply orders and confirms accuracy of delivery. May assist with cost control.
- Ensures that facilities and equipment are in optimal and proper working condition. Coordinates preventative maintenance and repairs as needed. May perform minor repairs if qualified and as needed. May advise on upgrades for performance enhancements.
- Answers phones, responds to inquiries and triages calls to appropriate personnel.
Education
- High school diploma or GED
Experience
Approximately 1 year of ophthalmic experience. Graduation from a formal training program can be substituted for experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated familiarity with ophthalmic terminology.
Licenses and Certifications
Working Conditions/Physical Demands
Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “any person, any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA). We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.
Title: Ophthalmic Technician I
Location: Upper East Side; Brooklyn; West Side
Org Unit: Clinical Operations
Work Days:
Weekly Hours: 35.00
Exemption Status: Non-Exempt
Salary Range: $30.77 - $36.04
- As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices
Position Summary
Under general direction, performs basic diagnostic ophthalmic tests and provides administrative and patient care support to the practice. This role also assists with and maintains efficient patient flow.
Job Responsibilities
- Ensures patient safety is maintained at all times.
- Responsible for maintaining a sterile environment. Ensures standard infection control precautions are observed.
- Responsible for obtaining pre-procedural consent forms and other related documentation. Educates patients regarding administration of medications, as well as pre- or post-operative procedural instructions as directed by the provider.
- Performs basic diagnostic tests, including but not limited to, Auto Refraction, Lensometry, Visual Field Testing, OCTs (Ocular Coherence Tomography) and Applanation Tonometry.
- Accompanies the provider into the exam room, updates or collects patient history and inputs patient data into the practice management system. Explains procedure to be performed to patient prior to procedure and answers any questions throughout.
- Assists with minor surgical procedures and/or injection preparations.
- Maintains inventory of supplies, equipment and/or reagents. May order supplies/equipment/reagents as authorized or ensure that needs are escalated appropriately. Receives supply orders and confirms accuracy of delivery. May assist with cost control.
- Ensures that facilities and equipment are in optimal and proper working condition. Coordinates preventative maintenance and repairs as needed. May perform minor repairs if qualified and as needed. May advise on upgrades for performance enhancements.
- Answers phones, responds to inquiries and triages calls to appropriate personnel.
Education
- High school diploma or GED
Experience
Approximately 1 year of ophthalmic experience. Graduation from a formal training program can be substituted for experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated familiarity with ophthalmic terminology.
Licenses and Certifications
Working Conditions/Physical Demands
Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “any person, any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA). We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.
See all 67+ Ophthalmic Technician Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as an Ophthalmic Technician
Verify your credentials match U.S. standards
COA or COMT certification from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology strengthens your specialty occupation argument significantly. Employers filing an H-1B LCA need to show the role requires a specific degree, and your credentials help build that case.
Target hospital systems over private practices
Large ophthalmology departments within hospital networks have dedicated HR and immigration infrastructure that standalone eye care clinics typically lack. Academic medical centers also sponsor EB-3 PERM labor certifications more routinely for allied health roles like ophthalmic technicians.
Search verified sponsors on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with confirmed LCA filing history for ophthalmic and allied health roles. This filters out practices that have never sponsored before, saving you from offers that stall at the visa stage.
Clarify the visa pathway before accepting an offer
Ask directly whether the employer intends to sponsor H-1B or pursue PERM for EB-3. Some practices assume OPT or TN visa covers the situation without understanding those limits. Getting this answer early prevents wasted months in a process the employer wasn't prepared to run.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
DOL requires employers to pay at least the prevailing wage for your geographic area and job title before certifying an LCA. Pull the Level I through Level IV wage data for ophthalmic technician roles in your target metro so you can spot underpayment before it becomes a filing problem.
Check O*NET to support specialty occupation documentation
O*NET lists ophthalmic technician duties and the typical education level for the role. Employers preparing an H-1B petition can reference this profile when USCIS asks for evidence that the position requires a specialized degree in a directly related field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an ophthalmic technician role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
It depends on how the employer defines and documents the role. USCIS looks at whether the position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Many ophthalmic technician jobs emphasize clinical training and certification rather than a four-year degree, which can make H-1B visa qualification harder. Employers who frame the role around biomedical science, healthcare administration, or ophthalmic technology degrees have a stronger case.
Is EB-3 a realistic path for ophthalmic technicians?
Yes, and often more practical than H-1B for this role. EB-3 skilled worker sponsorship through PERM labor certification doesn't require proving specialty occupation status. The employer must demonstrate no qualified U.S. workers are available, advertise the position, and file through DOL. Hospital systems and larger ophthalmology groups run this process more routinely than private practices.
What visa options exist for ophthalmic technicians from Canada or Australia?
Canadian nationals can explore TN visa eligibility, but ophthalmic technician is not listed on the USMCA profession list, so TN doesn't apply directly. Australian nationals face the same gap with E-3 visa, which requires a specialty occupation. For both groups, EB-3 or H-1B sponsorship through a U.S. employer remains the most viable route into the role.
Where can I find ophthalmic technician jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lists ophthalmic and allied health employers with verified sponsorship history, so you can focus your search on practices and hospital systems that have actually filed for visa candidates before. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations after an offer.
Does F-1 OPT cover ophthalmic technician work, and does STEM OPT apply?
F-1 OPT covers ophthalmic technician work if the role relates to your field of study, giving you 12 months of post-graduation work authorization. STEM OPT extension for an additional 24 months requires a STEM-designated degree. If your degree in biomedical science, health sciences, or a related STEM field qualifies, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to participate in that extension.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Ophthalmic Technician jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.