VCU Health System OPT Eligible Jobs USA
VCU Health System hires OPT students across clinical, research, and administrative roles, making it a meaningful option for F-1 graduates entering healthcare. Its affiliation with Virginia Commonwealth University creates a natural pipeline for OPT talent, particularly in nursing, health informatics, and biomedical sciences.
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SCHEDULE: Three 12 hour shifts weekly 7p-7:30a; every third weekend.
Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) is a 70-bed facility located in the heart of South Central Virginia serving residents of over 7 counties, including North Carolina due to its location just off the I-85 interstate and its proximity to the NC border. Community Memorial Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center and can manage acute ischemic strokes within their facility. The Intensive Care Unit is a 10-bed unit specializing in adult critical care patients with medical or surgical diagnoses. The average ICU nurse to patient ratio is 1 to 2 with support from patient care technicians and patient safety associates. The patient care team also consists of 24-hour Hospitalist and ancillary support. The community setting of CMH creates a family and patient-centered atmosphere with outstanding teamwork not only within the department, but throughout the entire organization as team members strive to make the patient experience excellent. The nursing leadership supports continuing education and provides multiple opportunities for team members to advance their knowledge and skills in their nursing practice. CMH continues to work diligently on expanding their services for their community through active recruitment of specialists for inpatient and outpatient units.
The Clinical Nurse I job integrates technical skills and theoretical knowledge to meet the needs of the patient and family. This job assists the health care team with the prevention of illness and injury, maintenance of wellness, and provision of comfort. This job provides direction, education, and begins to acquire leadership skills at the unit level. This job delivers and accurately documents direct, age-specific care to a patient or group of patients based on medical orders and an integrated, multidisciplinary plan of care. This job also safely administers prescribed medications, identifying incompatibilities and/or interactions.
The Clinical Nurse II job demonstrates a mastery of clinical skills and begins to apply this knowledge to a specific patient population. This job assists the health care team with the prevention of illness and injury, maintenance of wellness, and provision of comfort. This job recognizes changes in patient situations and intervenes appropriately. This job mobilizes resources to meet the individualized needs of patient/families. This job provides direction, education, and assumes leadership responsibilities at the unit level. This job delivers and accurately documents direct, age-specific care to a patient or group of patients based on medical orders and an integrated, multidisciplinary plan of care. This job safely administers prescribed medications, identifying incompatibilities and/or interactions.
The Clinical Nurse III job demonstrates clinical knowledge at the unit level and begins to apply this knowledge to a specific patient population. This job assists the health care team with the prevention of illness and injury, maintenance of wellness, and provision of comfort. This job anticipates changes in patient situations and intervenes appropriately. This job provides direction, education, and serves as a role model in a clinical setting. This job delivers and accurately documents direct, age-specific care to a patient or group of patients based on medical orders and an integrated, multidisciplinary plan of care. This job safely administers prescribed medications, identifying incompatibilities and/or interactions.
Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for Hire:
Clin I, Clin II, Clin III: Current RN licensure in Virginia or eligible or compact state
Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for continued employment:
Clin I, Clin II, Clin III: Current RN licensure in Virginia, AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent
Experience REQUIRED:
Clin I: N/A
Clin II: 12 to 24 months RN experience
Clin III: 3 years of clinical experience
Experience PREFERRED:
Clin I: Experience as an LPN, nursing assistant or care partner in either an acute care setting or as applicable to area of practice
Clin II, Clin III: Academic Health Care Experience; Experience with similar patient population in either an acute care setting or as applicable to area of practice
Education/training REQUIRED:
Clin I, Clin II, Clin III: Diploma or Associates Degree from a professional nursing program recognized and/or approved by the corresponding state’s Board of Nursing.
All registered nurses without a Bachelor's degree in Nursing (or higher) will be required to enroll in an approved RN to BSN program within two years of their start date and to complete the program within five years of their start date unless grandfathered under previous requirements.
Education/training PREFERRED:
Clin I, Clin II, Clin III: Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (or higher) from an accredited program Clin III: Certification in specialty area
Independent action(s) required:
Follows documented physician/licensed independent provider orders.
Practices within the boundaries of the regulations governing the practice of nursing in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Practice is guided by the ANA Code of Ethics for Nursing and established national nursing practice standards.
All practice is guided by and follows the VCUHS policies and procedures and established practice.
Supervisory responsibilities (if applicable):
Clin I, Clin II, Clin III: Organizes work and delegates and supervises others (RN's, LPN's, Care Partners, Unit Secretaries, etc.) in carrying out assignments.
Additional position requirements:
Clin I, Clin II, Clin III: Clinicians work all three shifts, weekends and holidays.
Individual shift rotation and schedules will be established with your specific Nurse Manager/Practice Manager.
Schedules, including requirements of shift rotations and hours of work may be adjusted as necessary to meet unit requirements and/or as needed.
Age Specific groups served:
As appropriate based on unit assignment.
Physical Requirements (includes use of assistance devices as appropriate):
Physical: Lifting 20-50 lbs.
Other: Exposure to potentially hazardous and infectious substances
Activities: Prolonged standing, Prolonged sitting, Frequent bending, Walking (distance), Climbing (steps, ladder, other), Reaching (overhead, extensive, repetitive)
Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical thinking
Emotional: Fast pace environment, Steady pace, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Noisy environment
Nights
EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding VCU Health System OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Align your degree to clinical role requirements
VCU Health System's specialty care units prioritize candidates whose degrees directly match the role's specialty occupation criteria. Use O*NET to confirm your field of study aligns with the job zone and degree requirement listed for your target position before applying.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
For STEM OPT, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before your extension begins. Ask VCU Health System's HR team to confirm active enrollment status early in the offer stage, not after you've already signed, to avoid a gap in your work authorization.
Target departments with H-1B filing history
VCU Health System has sponsored H-1B visas in healthcare occupations, which signals willingness to support the OPT-to-H-1B transition. Search Migrate Mate to identify which departments and role types at VCU Health System have the strongest H-1B filing history before targeting your outreach.
Request an OPT start date that matches your EAD
Your EAD card controls your legal start date, not your offer letter. When negotiating your start date with VCU Health System, build in buffer time for USCIS card delivery, which can run several weeks, so your first day of work falls within your authorized period.
Document specialty occupation evidence for future H-1B filing
From day one, keep records of your job duties, required qualifications, and any employer job postings that specify a bachelor's degree in a specific field. VCU Health System's H-1B petitions require this evidence, and building the file early makes the transition significantly smoother.
Benchmark your salary against prevailing wage before negotiating
VCU Health System's H-1B filings must meet DOL prevailing wage standards for your occupation and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to check the Level I and Level II wage rates for your job title in Richmond before entering salary discussions, so your offer is H-1B-compliant from the start.
VCU Health System OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does VCU Health System sponsor OPT visas?
VCU Health System hires F-1 students who already hold an OPT EAD, meaning the company does not file a petition for OPT itself. USCIS grants OPT authorization directly to the student. What VCU Health System does do is hire OPT workers and, for STEM OPT, maintain E-Verify enrollment, which is required to support a 24-month extension.
Which roles at VCU Health System typically hire OPT students?
OPT hiring at VCU Health System is most common in clinical and research-adjacent roles, including health informatics, biomedical research, nursing support, and healthcare administration. Roles tied to Virginia Commonwealth University's academic programs, such as research coordinator and clinical analyst positions, tend to be more accessible to recent F-1 graduates on OPT.
How do I confirm VCU Health System supports STEM OPT extensions?
Ask HR directly whether VCU Health System is actively enrolled in E-Verify. STEM OPT requires your employer to be enrolled and to submit a formal training plan to your DSO before your extension begins. Confirming this before you accept an offer protects you from a situation where the extension cannot proceed after your initial OPT period ends.
How do I know if VCU Health System will sponsor my H-1B after OPT?
OPT employment does not guarantee H-1B visa sponsorship, but VCU Health System has a track record of filing H-1B petitions in healthcare occupations. Use Migrate Mate to review VCU Health System's H-1B visa filing history by role and department, which gives you a clearer picture of where H-1B sponsorship is most likely before you commit to a position.
How do I time my OPT job search at VCU Health System?
USCIS recommends applying for OPT no earlier than 90 days before your program end date, and the EAD can take several weeks to arrive after approval. Factor that timeline into your offer negotiation with VCU Health System so your start date falls within your authorized work period and avoids an unauthorized gap before your card arrives.
How does VCU Health System hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. VCU Health System 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 VCU Health System's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.