C.N.A. Jobs for OPT Students
C.N.A. jobs on OPT are available across hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies. Most employers hire CNAs on a full-time basis, which satisfies OPT's requirement for at least 20 hours of work per week in a role directly related to your field of study.
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SIGN ON BONUS $2000.00
Overview:
Provide quality nursing care to residents in a long-term care environment which promotes their rights, dignity, freedom of choice, and their individuality under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
Responsibilities:
-
Provide individualized attention which encourages each resident’s ability to maintain or attain the highest practical physical, mental, and psychosocial wellbeing
-
Knowledgeable of the individualized care plan for residents and provide support to the resident according to the care plan. Contribute to the care planning process by providing the charge nurse or other care planning staff with specific information and observations of the residents’ needs and preferences
-
Attend to the individual needs of residents which may include assistance with grooming, bathing, oral hygiene, feeding, incontinent care, toileting, colostomy care, prosthetic appliances, transferring, ambulation, range of motion, communicating, or other needs in keeping with the individuals’ care requirements, and scope of practice
-
Maintain the comfort, privacy, and dignity of each resident in the delivery of services to them. Interact with residents in a manner that displays warmth and promotes a caring environment
-
Fully understand all aspects of residents’ rights, including the right to be free of restraints and free of abuse
-
Responsible for promptly reporting to the charge nurse or administrative staff incidents or evidence of resident abuse or violation of residents’ rights
-
Assist in maintaining a safe, neat, and clean environment; report environmental deficiencies to the charge nurse such as lighting or equipment problems
-
Protect the personal belongings of each resident including eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids, furnishings, jewelry, clothing, memorabilia, etc. Promptly report missing items according to established policy and participate in efforts to locate missing items
-
Observe residents for changes in condition or behavior and promptly report these changes to appropriate licensed nursing personnel
-
Provide care that maintains each resident’s skin integrity to prevent pressure ulcers, skin tears, and other damage by changing incontinent residents, turning, repositioning immobile residents, and applying moisturizers to fragile skin, etc.
-
Answer residents’ call bells promptly and courteously
-
Perform various tasks assigned by the charge nurse including vital signs, residents’ weights, applying creams/ointments, collecting specimens, etc.
-
Assist with orienting residents and their families to the nursing home upon admission and to the unit when transfers occur
-
Assist and escort residents for appointments such as beauty shop, activities, church services, etc.
-
Complete certified nursing assistant records while using proper coding of activities of Daily Living (ADLs) documenting care provided or other information in keeping with department policies
-
Follow prescribed safety and infection control procedures including thorough hand washing, use of disposable gloves where indicated, and proper disposal of soiled materials
-
Support an atmosphere which promotes a homelike environment
-
Assist in the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) process
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:
-
A high school diploma or equivalent; successful completion of a state-approved Nursing Assistant Certification course or other education which meets state certification requirements
-
Must hold current Nursing Assistant Certifications in the state in which they are practicing
-
Must be knowledgeable of resident rights and ensures an atmosphere which allows for the privacy, dignity and well-being of all residents in a safe, secure environment.
-
Current CPR (American Heart Association)

SIGN ON BONUS $2000.00
Overview:
Provide quality nursing care to residents in a long-term care environment which promotes their rights, dignity, freedom of choice, and their individuality under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
Responsibilities:
-
Provide individualized attention which encourages each resident’s ability to maintain or attain the highest practical physical, mental, and psychosocial wellbeing
-
Knowledgeable of the individualized care plan for residents and provide support to the resident according to the care plan. Contribute to the care planning process by providing the charge nurse or other care planning staff with specific information and observations of the residents’ needs and preferences
-
Attend to the individual needs of residents which may include assistance with grooming, bathing, oral hygiene, feeding, incontinent care, toileting, colostomy care, prosthetic appliances, transferring, ambulation, range of motion, communicating, or other needs in keeping with the individuals’ care requirements, and scope of practice
-
Maintain the comfort, privacy, and dignity of each resident in the delivery of services to them. Interact with residents in a manner that displays warmth and promotes a caring environment
-
Fully understand all aspects of residents’ rights, including the right to be free of restraints and free of abuse
-
Responsible for promptly reporting to the charge nurse or administrative staff incidents or evidence of resident abuse or violation of residents’ rights
-
Assist in maintaining a safe, neat, and clean environment; report environmental deficiencies to the charge nurse such as lighting or equipment problems
-
Protect the personal belongings of each resident including eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids, furnishings, jewelry, clothing, memorabilia, etc. Promptly report missing items according to established policy and participate in efforts to locate missing items
-
Observe residents for changes in condition or behavior and promptly report these changes to appropriate licensed nursing personnel
-
Provide care that maintains each resident’s skin integrity to prevent pressure ulcers, skin tears, and other damage by changing incontinent residents, turning, repositioning immobile residents, and applying moisturizers to fragile skin, etc.
-
Answer residents’ call bells promptly and courteously
-
Perform various tasks assigned by the charge nurse including vital signs, residents’ weights, applying creams/ointments, collecting specimens, etc.
-
Assist with orienting residents and their families to the nursing home upon admission and to the unit when transfers occur
-
Assist and escort residents for appointments such as beauty shop, activities, church services, etc.
-
Complete certified nursing assistant records while using proper coding of activities of Daily Living (ADLs) documenting care provided or other information in keeping with department policies
-
Follow prescribed safety and infection control procedures including thorough hand washing, use of disposable gloves where indicated, and proper disposal of soiled materials
-
Support an atmosphere which promotes a homelike environment
-
Assist in the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) process
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:
-
A high school diploma or equivalent; successful completion of a state-approved Nursing Assistant Certification course or other education which meets state certification requirements
-
Must hold current Nursing Assistant Certifications in the state in which they are practicing
-
Must be knowledgeable of resident rights and ensures an atmosphere which allows for the privacy, dignity and well-being of all residents in a safe, secure environment.
-
Current CPR (American Heart Association)
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in C.N.A.
Confirm your degree aligns with the CNA role
OPT work must be directly related to your major. A CNA position typically qualifies if your degree is in nursing, healthcare, biology, or a related health sciences field. Document the connection clearly before accepting any offer.
Verify your state CNA license before applying
Every state requires a separate CNA certification through a competency exam. Employers will not hire you without it. Check your state's nurse aide registry to confirm your credentials are active and transferable across states if needed.
Target employers accustomed to work authorization paperwork
Large hospital networks, national nursing home chains, and established home health agencies process Form I-9 regularly and are familiar with EAD cards. Smaller private practices may hesitate simply due to unfamiliarity, not unwillingness.
Apply before your OPT start date is too close
Healthcare employers run background checks, drug screenings, and TB tests before your first shift. That process takes two to four weeks. Starting your search at least six to eight weeks before your available start date prevents delays.
Be upfront about your EAD expiration timeline
CNA roles involve shift scheduling and team planning. Letting hiring managers know your OPT end date early, and explaining STEM OPT extension eligibility if applicable, builds trust and reduces last-minute surprises for the employer.
Highlight hands-on clinical experience prominently
Employers hiring CNAs prioritize demonstrated patient care skills over credentials alone. List clinical rotations, practicum hours, and any volunteer healthcare work on your resume. Specific experience with patient transfers, vitals monitoring, or dementia care stands out.
C.N.A. jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a C.N.A. on OPT?
Yes, as long as the CNA role is directly related to your field of study. If your degree is in nursing, healthcare administration, biology, or a related health sciences discipline, CNA work qualifies under OPT. You must also hold a valid state CNA certification and an active Employment Authorization Document before your first day of work.
Does a CNA job count as qualifying OPT employment?
A CNA position qualifies if it meets two conditions: it must be directly related to your major, and it must be at least 20 hours per week. Most full-time CNA roles easily clear the hours threshold. The connection to your degree is what requires documentation. Keep a record of how the role applies your academic training in case your DSO asks.
Will CNA employers sponsor an H-1B visa after OPT ends?
H-1B sponsorship for CNA roles is uncommon because the position generally does not meet the specialty occupation standard, which requires a bachelor's degree as a minimum entry requirement. Nurses with a BSN in an RN role have a clearer path. If long-term U.S. work authorization is your goal, discuss your situation with an immigration attorney early so you can plan alternative pathways.
How do I find CNA jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by employers open to work authorization. Searching on Migrate Mate saves time compared to applying broadly and discovering late in the process that an employer will not work with an EAD. Focus on large healthcare systems and national staffing agencies, which process work authorization documents routinely.
What happens to my OPT if I work through a healthcare staffing agency as a CNA?
Working through a staffing agency is permitted on OPT as long as the placement is in a role related to your degree and meets the minimum hours requirement. You are considered employed by the agency for I-9 purposes. Report the arrangement to your DSO promptly, including the agency name and the facilities where you are placed, to keep your SEVIS record accurate.
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