Penn State Health OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Penn State Health hires OPT students across clinical, research, and administrative roles at its Hershey Medical Center and affiliated facilities. The health system supports the OPT-to-H-1B visa transition for qualifying employees, making it a practical target for F-1 graduates in healthcare and life sciences.
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Get Access To All JobsPenn State Health - Hershey Medical Center
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: Full Time
FTE: 1.0
Shift: Nights
Shift Differential: Exempt: Yes
Hours: 5p-7a
Recruiter Contact: Please contact Esther I. Zechman at [email protected] for additional information.
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Responsible for assisting physicians in the medical care and management of patients, performing such functions as making rounds, physical examinations, and other patient examinations, injections, care of wounds, arranging for patient referrals.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S):
- Graduate of an AMA approved Physician Assistant Program or baccalaureate or higher degree program that meets licensure requirements in the State of Pennsylvania required.
- National Certification in Pennsylvania or in another State with reciprocity and licensure to practice in Pennsylvania required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S):
- Relevant experience preferred.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?
Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.
Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:
- Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
- Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
- Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
- Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER?
Penn State Hershey Medical Center is Central Pennsylvania’s only Academic Medical Center, Level 1 Regional Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Tertiary Care Provider. As a four-time Magnet-designated hospital, Hershey Medical Center values the hard work and dedication that our employees exhibit every day. Through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence, our employees are a team committed to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, our community and each other. As a valued team member, we promote continued professional development, specialty certification, continuing education, and career growth.
YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.
This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.
Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.
Union: Non Bargained
Penn State Health - Hershey Medical Center
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: Full Time
FTE: 1.0
Shift: Nights
Shift Differential: Exempt: Yes
Hours: 5p-7a
Recruiter Contact: Please contact Esther I. Zechman at [email protected] for additional information.
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Responsible for assisting physicians in the medical care and management of patients, performing such functions as making rounds, physical examinations, and other patient examinations, injections, care of wounds, arranging for patient referrals.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S):
- Graduate of an AMA approved Physician Assistant Program or baccalaureate or higher degree program that meets licensure requirements in the State of Pennsylvania required.
- National Certification in Pennsylvania or in another State with reciprocity and licensure to practice in Pennsylvania required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S):
- Relevant experience preferred.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?
Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.
Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:
- Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
- Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
- Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
- Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER?
Penn State Hershey Medical Center is Central Pennsylvania’s only Academic Medical Center, Level 1 Regional Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Tertiary Care Provider. As a four-time Magnet-designated hospital, Hershey Medical Center values the hard work and dedication that our employees exhibit every day. Through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence, our employees are a team committed to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, our community and each other. As a valued team member, we promote continued professional development, specialty certification, continuing education, and career growth.
YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.
This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.
Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.
Union: Non Bargained
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Penn State Health OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target clinical research and allied health roles
Penn State Health's strongest OPT hiring tends to fall in clinical research coordination, health informatics, and allied health disciplines. Searching by department rather than job title surfaces openings that match OPT-eligible degree fields before they fill through internal referrals.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
STEM OPT's 24-month extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Ask Penn State Health's HR team to confirm active enrollment status before you sign an offer, not after, since the extension application window is tight once your initial OPT period ends.
Align your degree field to the job description
Your OPT EAD is tied to your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code. Cross-check your target role's requirements against your degree field using O*NET to confirm the position falls within your authorized training category before submitting an application.
Ask HR directly about H-1B sponsorship timelines
Penn State Health has sponsored H-1B visas for employees transitioning off OPT. During the offer stage, ask the recruiter whether the role is eligible for H-1B sponsorship and what the typical internal timeline looks like, so you can plan around the April registration window.
Benchmark your offered salary against prevailing wages
Before finalizing your offer, run the position's SOC code and Pennsylvania location through the OFLC Wage Search to see the prevailing wage level. If Penn State Health later sponsors your H-1B, the Labor Condition Application must meet that threshold, so a below-market offer can create complications.
Use Migrate Mate to verify Penn State Health's filing history
Before your interview, check Penn State Health's H-1B and EB-2/EB-3 Labor Condition Application history on Migrate Mate. Seeing which job titles and departments have active LCA filings tells you where the health system has a real track record of sponsoring international employees.
Penn State Health OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Penn State Health sponsor OPT visas?
Penn State Health doesn't sponsor OPT directly, OPT is work authorization USCIS grants to F-1 students, not something an employer files for. What Penn State Health does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD. The health system is enrolled in E-Verify, which is required if you plan to apply for the STEM OPT 24-month extension.
Which roles at Penn State Health typically hire OPT students?
OPT students are most commonly hired into clinical research, health informatics, biomedical engineering, pharmacy, and administrative healthcare operations roles at Penn State Health. Departments affiliated with Penn State College of Medicine at Hershey Medical Center see the heaviest hiring of F-1 graduates, particularly for research and data-focused positions.
How do I navigate the OPT hiring process at Penn State Health?
Apply through Penn State Health's careers portal and flag your OPT status in the work authorization section. Once you receive an offer, HR will run your I-9 through E-Verify. You're responsible for ensuring your OPT EAD is active before your start date and that your role falls within your authorized degree field. Migrate Mate can help you verify whether Penn State Health has a history of transitioning OPT employees to H-1B sponsorship.
How do I time my job search to avoid gaps between OPT and H-1B at Penn State Health?
OPT expires 12 months after your program end date for most students, or 36 months with a STEM extension. Penn State Health's H-1B sponsorship must be filed for the October 1 fiscal year start, meaning your employer needs to register you in the USCIS H-1B lottery in March. Plan your offer timing so at least six months of OPT remain when you start, giving HR enough runway to prepare the petition.
Does Penn State Health sponsor Green Cards for employees who came in on OPT?
Penn State Health has filed EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visa petitions, which are the most common Green Card pathways for healthcare professionals. Employees who transition from OPT to H-1B at Penn State Health may be eligible for employer-sponsored Green Card processing, but eligibility depends on the role, department budget, and how long you've been with the organization.
How does Penn State Health hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. Penn State Health can hire OPT students as soon as their EAD card is approved. STEM degree holders can extend OPT by 24 months when their employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Most companies that hire OPT students also support the transition to H-1B when the student's OPT period is ending. Check Penn State Health's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.