Medical Assistant Jobs at Columbia University with Visa Sponsorship
Columbia University hires Medical Assistants across its clinical and research settings, where roles often sit at the intersection of patient care and academic medicine. The university has an established process for sponsoring international candidates, making it a realistic target for visa holders with clinical credentials and relevant U.S. healthcare experience.
See All Medical Assistant at Columbia University JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 12+ Medical Assistant Jobs at Columbia University jobs


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?
See all 12+ Medical Assistant Jobs at Columbia University
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Medical Assistant Jobs at Columbia University.
Get Access To All Jobs
Job Type: Support Staff - Union
Bargaining Unit: SSA
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Hours Per Week: 35
Salary Range: $61,692.40 to $61,692.40
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
The Research Assistant provides entry‑level clinical research, laboratory, and administrative support for research studies conducted within the Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine and Nutrition. The position supports the execution of approved research protocols and assists Principal Investigators and senior research staff with data collection, participant coordination, and regulatory documentation.
Responsibilities
- Assist with the coordination of research visits and study activities to support timely and accurate data and specimen collection.
- Review research protocols and study documentation to develop an understanding of study requirements.
- Maintain required work logs and participate in regular meetings and training activities.
- Support research participant recruitment and enrollment activities as directed.
- Schedule study visits, assessments, and appointments according to approved protocols.
- Prepare visit packets and study kits; scan, redact, and upload documents into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
- Assist with obtaining required documentation and signatures under supervision.
- Deliver research specimens to laboratories for processing in accordance with established procedures.
- Assist with packaging and shipping correlative specimens to external sponsors in accordance with laboratory manuals.
- Support investigational product requests, delivery, and returns to the Research Pharmacy as directed.
- Assist in assembling, organizing, and entering clinical research data under supervision.
- Help maintain sponsor, departmental, and institutional databases and tracking logs.
- Communicate with clinical teams, laboratories, and internal departments to support data accuracy and compliance.
- Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, physics or related science and at least 1.5 yrs of related experience or equivalent in training and/or experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ability to follow established procedures and work effectively under supervision.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Prior exposure to a clinical research, healthcare, or laboratory environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel); ability to work on both Mac and PC platforms.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Other Requirements
The candidate selected for this position is required to undergo a drug screening test prior to a final offer of employment being made.
Participation in the medical surveillance program:
- Contact with patients and/or human research subjects
- Potential bloodborne pathogen exposure
Successful completion of applicable compliance and systems training requirements.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

Job Type: Support Staff - Union
Bargaining Unit: SSA
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Hours Per Week: 35
Salary Range: $61,692.40 to $61,692.40
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
The Research Assistant provides entry‑level clinical research, laboratory, and administrative support for research studies conducted within the Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine and Nutrition. The position supports the execution of approved research protocols and assists Principal Investigators and senior research staff with data collection, participant coordination, and regulatory documentation.
Responsibilities
- Assist with the coordination of research visits and study activities to support timely and accurate data and specimen collection.
- Review research protocols and study documentation to develop an understanding of study requirements.
- Maintain required work logs and participate in regular meetings and training activities.
- Support research participant recruitment and enrollment activities as directed.
- Schedule study visits, assessments, and appointments according to approved protocols.
- Prepare visit packets and study kits; scan, redact, and upload documents into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
- Assist with obtaining required documentation and signatures under supervision.
- Deliver research specimens to laboratories for processing in accordance with established procedures.
- Assist with packaging and shipping correlative specimens to external sponsors in accordance with laboratory manuals.
- Support investigational product requests, delivery, and returns to the Research Pharmacy as directed.
- Assist in assembling, organizing, and entering clinical research data under supervision.
- Help maintain sponsor, departmental, and institutional databases and tracking logs.
- Communicate with clinical teams, laboratories, and internal departments to support data accuracy and compliance.
- Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, physics or related science and at least 1.5 yrs of related experience or equivalent in training and/or experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ability to follow established procedures and work effectively under supervision.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Prior exposure to a clinical research, healthcare, or laboratory environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel); ability to work on both Mac and PC platforms.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Other Requirements
The candidate selected for this position is required to undergo a drug screening test prior to a final offer of employment being made.
Participation in the medical surveillance program:
- Contact with patients and/or human research subjects
- Potential bloodborne pathogen exposure
Successful completion of applicable compliance and systems training requirements.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
See all 12+ Medical Assistant at Columbia University jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Medical Assistant at Columbia University roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Medical Assistant Jobs at Columbia University Jobs
Verify your clinical credentials match New York requirements
New York does not require Medical Assistants to be state-licensed, but Columbia's clinical departments often specify CMA or RMA certification. Confirm your certification is current and recognized by the AAMA or AMT before applying.
Target Columbia's Irving Medical Center specifically
Columbia's main clinical hiring for Medical Assistants runs through Columbia University Irving Medical Center in Washington Heights. Focusing your search on this campus puts you closer to the departments with active international hiring track records.
Browse open Medical Assistant roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter Columbia University Medical Assistant listings by visa type. You can identify which open roles align with your status, whether F-1 OPT, H-1B, or TN, before spending time on a full application.
Align your application timeline with OPT reporting rules
If you're on F-1 OPT, report any employment start date to your DSO within 10 days as required. Columbia's HR onboarding moves in stages, so start your E-Verify and DSO reporting process the moment you receive a formal offer.
Ask HR directly about H-1B cap-exempt eligibility
As a university-affiliated employer, Columbia may qualify as a cap-exempt institution for H-1B purposes. Ask the HR recruiter whether the specific Medical Assistant position is tied to a qualifying department, since not every Columbia role carries cap-exempt status.
Get your LCA prevailing wage documentation ready early
For H-1B sponsorship, Columbia's international office files a Labor Condition Application with the DOL before USCIS can review the petition. Having your job duties and degree credentials documented clearly helps HR complete the LCA accurately and without delays.
Medical Assistant at Columbia University jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Medical Assistant at Columbia University JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does Columbia University sponsor H-1B visas for Medical Assistants?
Columbia University does sponsor H-1B visas for Medical Assistant roles, and as a university-affiliated institution it may qualify for H-1B cap-exempt status depending on the specific department. This means petitions can be filed year-round without waiting for the annual lottery. Confirm the exemption status of your specific role with Columbia's International Students and Scholars Office before assuming it applies.
How do I apply for Medical Assistant jobs at Columbia University?
Applications go through Columbia University's careers portal at columbia.edu/careers. Search for Medical Assistant positions filtered by Columbia University Irving Medical Center if you want clinical roles with stronger international hiring activity. You can also use Migrate Mate to identify which open Medical Assistant listings at Columbia are open to visa sponsorship, which saves time before you submit a full application.
Which visa types does Columbia University commonly use for Medical Assistant roles?
Columbia sponsors H-1B, E-3, TN, and Green Card pathways including EB-2 and EB-3 for qualifying Medical Assistant positions. F-1 OPT and CPT are also accepted for students completing health sciences programs. The right visa type depends on your nationality, degree, and employment timing. Australian citizens often pursue the E-3 because it skips the H-1B lottery entirely.
What qualifications does Columbia University expect for Medical Assistant candidates?
Most Medical Assistant openings at Columbia require a high school diploma plus a recognized certification such as the CMA from the AAMA or RMA from the AMT. Clinical experience in a hospital or academic medical setting is strongly preferred. Roles in Columbia's specialty clinics, including oncology and cardiology, may require additional procedural competencies beyond basic clinical assisting skills.
How do I plan my visa sponsorship timeline for a Columbia Medical Assistant role?
If you're pursuing H-1B sponsorship, standard USCIS processing takes three to six months, while premium processing brings that down to around 15 business days. If you're already on F-1 OPT, your 60-day grace period after your end date is not work-authorized time, so securing an offer before your OPT expires is critical. Start conversations with Columbia HR about sponsorship intent during the interview stage, not after the offer.
See which Medical Assistant at Columbia University employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Medical Assistant at Columbia University Jobs