Orthoptist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Orthoptist roles in the U.S. qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B visa, making employer sponsorship achievable for internationally trained candidates. Most positions sit within hospital systems, ophthalmology practices, and academic medical centers that have established LCA filing histories and are accustomed to supporting work visa candidates. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Profile Summary
This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Ophthalmology duties: Performs, prescribes, and analyzes results for the treatment of illnesses, diseases, injuries, and conditions that are related to the eye. Tasks include vision assessments, eye surgeries and advanced forms of eye disease in patients with significant systemic illness. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. A specialist level role that is a recognized subject matter expert in job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Typically manages large projects or processes with limited oversight from manager, coaches, reviews and delegates work to lower level professionals, resolving difficult and often complex problems.
Job Overview
This position is responsible for evaluating and recommending treatment of patients with ocular motility disturbances. Assists Ophthalmologist in all aspects of patient care including diagnostic testing and preliminary examination.
Minimum Qualifications:
-
Bachelor's Degree
-
Completed or in the process of completing a 2-year American Orthoptic Council (AOC) Orthoptic Fellowship Program
-
Certified or eligible for certification by AOC
Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
-
Evaluate patients with ocular motility abnormalities, determines appropriate method of treatment and reports recommendations to referring ophthalmologist who may be from within the department or referred from an outside practice
-
Makes diagnostic choices while evaluating patients to determine method and procedure of continued examination for best results
-
Evaluates patient sensory and motor functions and perform orthoptic duties as directed by the supervising physician
-
Performs strabismus and diplopia evaluations in preparation for strabismus surgery and/or to prescribe prism glasses with refractions
-
Assists in the treatment of amblyopia
-
Provides evidence-based vision therapy such as convergence insufficiency
-
Educates patients and families and provide supportive patient care
-
Prepares and maintain the equipment for orthoptic examinations
-
Maintains and dispenses Fresnel prism and lens inventory
-
Assists in the education of Ophthalmology residents and Ophthalmology clinical support staff
-
Assists in the development and execution of research projects for the division
-
Assists in the maintenance and promotion of a safe environment and efficiency of operations
Physical Requirements:
-
Close contact with patients
-
May need to assist visually impaired patients from wheelchairs into exam chairs
-
Requires prolonged standing, walking, bending, stooping, and stretching
Skills & Abilities:
-
Knowledge of ophthalmic anatomy and physiology and common eye conditions.
-
Ability to use and maintenance of orthoptic instruments and general ophthalmic instruments.
-
Teaching skills necessary to assist in the training of orthoptic/ophthalmic technician students.
-
Analytical skills necessary to determine method of patient evaluation in order to recommend treatment.
-
Interpersonal skills needed to interact with pediatric and adult patients and referring ophthalmologists.
-
Ability to assess the needs of adult and pediatric patient populations in order to provide care appropriately.
-
Ability to effectively explain the exam process to patients and attempt to allay their concerns and apprehensions.
-
High attention to detail.
-
Ability to work in a high-volume clinic and fast-paced environment.
At Tufts Medicine, we want every individual to feel valued for the skills and experience they bring. Our compensation philosophy is designed to offer fair, competitive pay that attracts, retains, and motivates highly talented individuals, while rewarding the important work you do every day.
The base pay ranges reflect the minimum qualifications for the role. Individual offers are determined using a comprehensive approach that considers relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair, consistent, and aligned with our business goals.
Beyond base pay, Tufts Medicine provides a comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports your health, financial security, and career growth—one of the many ways we invest in you so you can thrive both at work and outside of it.
Pay Range:
$84,300.22 - $107,481.20based on full-time equivalent
Job Profile Summary
This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Ophthalmology duties: Performs, prescribes, and analyzes results for the treatment of illnesses, diseases, injuries, and conditions that are related to the eye. Tasks include vision assessments, eye surgeries and advanced forms of eye disease in patients with significant systemic illness. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. A specialist level role that is a recognized subject matter expert in job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Typically manages large projects or processes with limited oversight from manager, coaches, reviews and delegates work to lower level professionals, resolving difficult and often complex problems.
Job Overview
This position is responsible for evaluating and recommending treatment of patients with ocular motility disturbances. Assists Ophthalmologist in all aspects of patient care including diagnostic testing and preliminary examination.
Minimum Qualifications:
-
Bachelor's Degree
-
Completed or in the process of completing a 2-year American Orthoptic Council (AOC) Orthoptic Fellowship Program
-
Certified or eligible for certification by AOC
Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
-
Evaluate patients with ocular motility abnormalities, determines appropriate method of treatment and reports recommendations to referring ophthalmologist who may be from within the department or referred from an outside practice
-
Makes diagnostic choices while evaluating patients to determine method and procedure of continued examination for best results
-
Evaluates patient sensory and motor functions and perform orthoptic duties as directed by the supervising physician
-
Performs strabismus and diplopia evaluations in preparation for strabismus surgery and/or to prescribe prism glasses with refractions
-
Assists in the treatment of amblyopia
-
Provides evidence-based vision therapy such as convergence insufficiency
-
Educates patients and families and provide supportive patient care
-
Prepares and maintain the equipment for orthoptic examinations
-
Maintains and dispenses Fresnel prism and lens inventory
-
Assists in the education of Ophthalmology residents and Ophthalmology clinical support staff
-
Assists in the development and execution of research projects for the division
-
Assists in the maintenance and promotion of a safe environment and efficiency of operations
Physical Requirements:
-
Close contact with patients
-
May need to assist visually impaired patients from wheelchairs into exam chairs
-
Requires prolonged standing, walking, bending, stooping, and stretching
Skills & Abilities:
-
Knowledge of ophthalmic anatomy and physiology and common eye conditions.
-
Ability to use and maintenance of orthoptic instruments and general ophthalmic instruments.
-
Teaching skills necessary to assist in the training of orthoptic/ophthalmic technician students.
-
Analytical skills necessary to determine method of patient evaluation in order to recommend treatment.
-
Interpersonal skills needed to interact with pediatric and adult patients and referring ophthalmologists.
-
Ability to assess the needs of adult and pediatric patient populations in order to provide care appropriately.
-
Ability to effectively explain the exam process to patients and attempt to allay their concerns and apprehensions.
-
High attention to detail.
-
Ability to work in a high-volume clinic and fast-paced environment.
At Tufts Medicine, we want every individual to feel valued for the skills and experience they bring. Our compensation philosophy is designed to offer fair, competitive pay that attracts, retains, and motivates highly talented individuals, while rewarding the important work you do every day.
The base pay ranges reflect the minimum qualifications for the role. Individual offers are determined using a comprehensive approach that considers relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair, consistent, and aligned with our business goals.
Beyond base pay, Tufts Medicine provides a comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports your health, financial security, and career growth—one of the many ways we invest in you so you can thrive both at work and outside of it.
Pay Range:
$84,300.22 - $107,481.20based on full-time equivalent
See all 507+ 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 JobsTips for Finding Orthoptist Jobs
Verify your credential equivalency before applying
U.S. employers filing an H-1B LCA need to confirm your foreign orthoptic qualification maps to a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher. Get a credential evaluation from a NACES-member service before you submit applications so there are no delays at the petition stage.
Target ophthalmology departments at academic medical centers
Academic hospitals and university-affiliated eye institutes are cap-exempt H-1B employers, meaning your petition bypasses the annual lottery entirely. Direct your search toward institutions with ophthalmology residency programs, which are most likely to have active LCA filing infrastructure.
Search verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Filter orthoptist and allied vision-care roles by employers with confirmed LCA filing history on Migrate Mate. This cuts out practices that have never sponsored a work visa and focuses your effort on the employers most likely to extend an offer with sponsorship attached.
Clarify specialty occupation status in your offer letter
USCIS scrutinizes orthoptist petitions because the role is uncommon in U.S. clinical settings. Ask your employer to include O*NET occupational data and a written explanation of why a degree in orthoptics or a related vision science is specifically required for the position.
Confirm the LCA wage tier before you negotiate
Your employer files the LCA with DOL and must pay at least the prevailing wage for your geographic area. Run the OFLC Wage Search for your work location before salary discussions so you know the floor and can negotiate from an informed position.
Plan your H-1B timeline around the annual cap and selection
H-1B is subject to an annual cap and selection process, and the rules have changed recently. If your target employer is cap-subject, align your offer acceptance and onboarding date with USCIS filing windows to avoid gaps in work authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an orthoptist role qualify as a specialty occupation for the H-1B?
Yes, orthoptist positions generally qualify because they require a degree in orthoptics, vision science, or a closely related field. The key is demonstrating that a specific bachelor's-level degree is a minimum requirement for the role, not just preferred. Employers should document this in the LCA and petition, often citing O*NET and professional association standards to support the specialty occupation argument to USCIS.
Which visa types can orthoptists use to work in the U.S. with employer sponsorship?
The H-1B is the most common route for internationally trained orthoptists at cap-subject employers. Academic hospitals and university eye institutes qualify as cap-exempt, so petitions filed there bypass the lottery. Australian citizens can apply for the E-3 visa, which has its own annual allocation and is never oversubscribed. TN visa is not an option for orthoptists, as the role is not on the USMCA profession list.
How do I find orthoptist employers in the U.S. that actively sponsor visas?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA filing history for allied vision-care and clinical specialist roles, so you can focus on practices and hospital systems that have already navigated the sponsorship process. Academic medical centers with ophthalmology programs are a strong starting point because they're cap-exempt and typically have immigration support infrastructure already in place.
Will my overseas orthoptic qualification be accepted by U.S. employers and USCIS?
Most U.S. employers and USCIS will accept a foreign orthoptic degree if it's evaluated by a NACES-member credential evaluation service and found equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher. Three-year Australian and UK orthoptic degrees are routinely accepted as equivalent. Getting the evaluation done before you apply removes a common bottleneck in the H-1B petition process.
What happens to my H-1B status if my sponsoring employer closes or eliminates the orthoptist role?
If your employer terminates your position, your H-1B status ends, but you have a short grace period of up to 60 days to find a new employer willing to file a new or transferred H-1B petition. Because orthoptist roles are niche, start networking with other ophthalmology practices and academic centers immediately. A new employer can file a petition on your behalf and you can begin work once USCIS receives it.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Orthoptist 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.