OPT Applications Specialist Jobs
Applications Specialist roles suit OPT students with backgrounds in software implementation, technical support, or systems configuration. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations, supporting H-1B visa sponsorship down the line. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies, gives you real runway to prove value and secure long-term sponsorship.
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INTRODUCTION
Summa Health System is recognized as one of the region’s top employers by a number of third party organizations, including NorthCoast 99. Exceptional candidates gravitate to Summa because of its culture, passion for delivering excellent service to our patients and families, commitment to our philosophy of servant leadership, collegial working relationships at every level of the organization, and competitive pay and benefits.
SUMMARY
Serves as a positive, professional, agile education team leader focused on coordinating Summa Health’s goals for IT&S training development, deployment, adoption, maintenance, and optimization activities. Coordinates and advises instructor team on curriculum build, training delivery, and learning management system administration. Collaborates with other training team members, system analysts, and stakeholders to assist in identifying and addressing training needs. Designs instructions in both print and electronic media, and coaches teammates in this discipline.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. Formal Education Required:
a. Bachelors Degree in Education or Information Technology or related field
2. Experience & Training Required:
a. Four (4) years of educational experience including curriculum development and instructional design to include two (2) years of computer-based LMS administration, print and e-Learning content development
i. Certification in at least 2 Epic applications, or ability to achieve such in first 6 months in position
ii. Certification in Training Environment Build, or ability to achieve such in first 6 months in position
3. Other Skills, Competencies and Qualifications:
a. Skills in interpersonal communication to effectively interact with users on various software and non-technical problems
b. Skills in written communication to compose materials for end-users
c. Knowledge and skills in work processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, e-mail and scheduling applications, and ability to acquire additional skills as necessary
d. Ability to maintain knowledge of Clinical or Administrative applications
e. Broad knowledge and understanding of current workflow and design decisions made with application enhancements
f. Maintains confidentiality of patient, employee and financial records
g. Ability to effectively convey information using adult learning techniques in classroom and one-on-one environment to users with a variety of skill levels
h. Ability to work well within team environment by accepting and offering honest and constructive feedback; by supporting team goals and encouraging other team members; and by collaborating with departmental team members to consolidate work, solve problems, create new methods and/or reduce costs
i. Project management and/or facilitation experience
j. Culture transformation or process improvement familiarity
k. Population Specific Competency: Ability to effectively interact with populations of patients/customers with an understanding of their needs for self-respect and dignity
4. Level of Physical Demands:
a. Light: Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to ten pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force continuously
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $37.40/hr - $56.11/hr
The salary range on this job posting/advertising is base salary exclusive of any bonuses or differentials. Many factors, such as years of relevant experience and geographical location are considered when determining the starting rate of pay. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members when determining offers. Please keep in mind that the range that is listed is the full base salary range. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical.
BENEFITS
Summa Health offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program to include medical, dental, vision, life, paid time off as well as many other benefits.
- Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
- Supplemental Life and AD&D
- Dependent Life Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, and Critical Illness
- Retirement Savings Plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts – Healthcare and Dependent Care
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Identity Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- Education Assistance
- Daily Pay
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Applications Specialist
Confirm the role meets specialty occupation standards
Applications Specialist positions typically require a degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field. Verify the job posting specifies a degree requirement, not just a preference, since USCIS requires this for H-1B visa sponsorship eligibility.
Apply to employers with a sponsorship track record
Mid-size and enterprise software companies sponsor OPT and H-1B workers far more often than small firms. Look for employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications in the past, which signals familiarity with the sponsorship process and a higher likelihood of supporting you.
Start your STEM OPT extension application early
If your degree is in a STEM-designated field, apply for your 24-month extension at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Late applications can create authorization gaps that pause your employment and complicate your relationship with the employer.
Document your implementation and technical contributions
Sponsorship decisions often come down to demonstrated value. Keep a running record of systems you configured, rollouts you supported, and measurable outcomes. Concrete examples strengthen both your performance reviews and any future H-1B petition your employer files.
Raise sponsorship in the offer negotiation stage, not after
Bring up H-1B sponsorship before you accept an offer, not months later. Most employers who sponsor do so willingly when asked upfront. Waiting until OPT expires creates urgency that can work against you in the conversation.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for OPT-friendly Applications Specialist roles
Not every job board surfaces sponsorship-relevant details. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students, so you can find Applications Specialist openings at employers who are already open to supporting international candidates through OPT and beyond.
Applications Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Applications Specialist on OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree field. Applications Specialist positions typically fall under computer science, information systems, or engineering disciplines. You'll need to ensure your employer is aware of your OPT authorization dates and that your work authorization document, the EAD card, is valid before your start date.
Does an Applications Specialist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It can, provided your underlying degree appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List and the job duties involve applying that STEM knowledge directly. Roles focused on software configuration, technical implementation, or systems integration generally meet this threshold. Your DSO at your university's international student office can confirm whether your specific degree and job combination qualifies.
What happens if my OPT expires before my employer files for H-1B?
If you're on STEM OPT and your employer files a cap-subject H-1B petition before October 1 of the fiscal year, you may be eligible for a cap-gap extension that bridges the gap between your OPT expiration and the H-1B start date. Without that timing, any lapse in authorization means you cannot legally continue working, so planning the H-1B filing timeline with your employer well in advance is essential.
How do I find Applications Specialist jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Applications Specialist roles at employers who are open to sponsoring international candidates. Filtering by OPT-friendly employers saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations late in the interview process.
Do Applications Specialist employers typically sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Sponsorship varies by company size and industry. Enterprise software firms, healthcare technology companies, and large consulting organizations sponsor H-1B visas for Applications Specialists more frequently than small businesses. The strongest indicator is whether a company has sponsored similar roles in the past, which is reflected in Department of Labor LCA disclosure data.