Care Assistant Jobs for OPT Students
Care Assistant jobs are actively hiring OPT students with backgrounds in nursing, public health, social work, and related fields. Most roles qualify under the STEM-adjacent health sciences category, and some employers have experience filing H-1B petitions for strong candidates after OPT ends.
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Get Access To All JobsWork Arrangement: On-Site
Requisition Number: 267676
Regular or Temporary: Regular
Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710
Personnel Area: DUKE HOSPITAL
Date: Mar 25, 2026
At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.
About Duke University Hospital
Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Health hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.
Duke Nursing Highlights:
- Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet organization
- Nurses from each hospital are consistently recognized each year as North Carolina's Great 100 Nurses.
- Duke University Health System was awarded the American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Certification Advocacy for being strong advocates of specialty nursing certification.
- Duke University Health System has 6000+ registered nurses
- Quality of Life: Living in the Triangle!
- Relocation Assistance (based on eligibility)
Eligible for Duke Commitment Bonus of $5000
6300 Cardiothoracic Stepdown - Duke University Hospital - Rotating Days/Nights 7AM - 7: 30 PM or 7 PM - 7:30 AM
Nursing Care Assistant I - Duke University Health System
Duke University Health System seeks to hire a Nursing Care Assistant I – Health Unit Coordinator who will embrace our mission of Advancing Health Together.
Duke Nursing Highlights:
- Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet® organization.
- Professional advancement opportunities through our Clinical Ladder Program (Nursing Care Assistant, Surgical Tech, Certified Medical Assistant).
- Quality of Life: Living in the Triangle!
Responsibilities:
The Nursing Care Assistant I / Health Unit Coordinator performs a variety of non-professional nursing duties and clerical duties under the direct supervision of an RN/LPN to support patient care. This position will consistently exhibit excellent customer service skills.
What you will do:
- Prepare patients, equipment and supplies for specific procedures and provide manual assistance as required.
- Obtain and record patient data for medical records noting and informing RN/LPN of information collected.
- Administer treatment and personal care procedures to patients including, but not limited to, feeding, bathing, shaving, changing clothing, cleaning and trimming fingernails, bed-making, assisting with ambulation, enemas, skin care, and bowel and bladder elimination; provide such additional care as required to meet the personal needs and comfort of assigned patients.
- Participate in teaching activities by reinforcing teaching instructed by RN and/or physician as needed.
- Assist physician and nurses with physical examinations by helping position patients, changing non-sterile dressing and weighing patients.
- Take and record vital signs, record I&O, apply ice bags, administer douches and enemas.
- Note and report any changes in patient's condition.
- Turn and position patients, set up and feed patients as necessary, provide patients with fresh drinking water.
- Perform finger sticks for blood glucose testing, with appropriate training.
- Assist with admission, discharge, and transportation of patients.
- Follow standard precautions and use personal protective equipment as required.
- Collect, deliver and conduct routine tests on patient specimens.
- Clean assigned area; stock and replenish supplies and equipment as required.
- Participate in own professional development by maintaining required skills validation and attending educational offerings.
- Support the development of other staff and formal learners.
- Perform sterile dressing change for wounds over 48 hours old, IV fluid assistance activities, oral/nasogastric feeding and urinary catheterizations/irrigation.
- Greeting patients and visitors, answering the telephone, responding to patient’s requests, accessing the electronic medical record (EMR), scheduling appointments and providing general clerical support as needed by the department.
What you will need:
- Current Nurse Aide I Registry listing with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Service Regulation
- Basic Life Support certification from American Heart Association.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions:
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh
Work Arrangement: On-Site
Requisition Number: 267676
Regular or Temporary: Regular
Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710
Personnel Area: DUKE HOSPITAL
Date: Mar 25, 2026
At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.
About Duke University Hospital
Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Health hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.
Duke Nursing Highlights:
- Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet organization
- Nurses from each hospital are consistently recognized each year as North Carolina's Great 100 Nurses.
- Duke University Health System was awarded the American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Certification Advocacy for being strong advocates of specialty nursing certification.
- Duke University Health System has 6000+ registered nurses
- Quality of Life: Living in the Triangle!
- Relocation Assistance (based on eligibility)
Eligible for Duke Commitment Bonus of $5000
6300 Cardiothoracic Stepdown - Duke University Hospital - Rotating Days/Nights 7AM - 7: 30 PM or 7 PM - 7:30 AM
Nursing Care Assistant I - Duke University Health System
Duke University Health System seeks to hire a Nursing Care Assistant I – Health Unit Coordinator who will embrace our mission of Advancing Health Together.
Duke Nursing Highlights:
- Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet® organization.
- Professional advancement opportunities through our Clinical Ladder Program (Nursing Care Assistant, Surgical Tech, Certified Medical Assistant).
- Quality of Life: Living in the Triangle!
Responsibilities:
The Nursing Care Assistant I / Health Unit Coordinator performs a variety of non-professional nursing duties and clerical duties under the direct supervision of an RN/LPN to support patient care. This position will consistently exhibit excellent customer service skills.
What you will do:
- Prepare patients, equipment and supplies for specific procedures and provide manual assistance as required.
- Obtain and record patient data for medical records noting and informing RN/LPN of information collected.
- Administer treatment and personal care procedures to patients including, but not limited to, feeding, bathing, shaving, changing clothing, cleaning and trimming fingernails, bed-making, assisting with ambulation, enemas, skin care, and bowel and bladder elimination; provide such additional care as required to meet the personal needs and comfort of assigned patients.
- Participate in teaching activities by reinforcing teaching instructed by RN and/or physician as needed.
- Assist physician and nurses with physical examinations by helping position patients, changing non-sterile dressing and weighing patients.
- Take and record vital signs, record I&O, apply ice bags, administer douches and enemas.
- Note and report any changes in patient's condition.
- Turn and position patients, set up and feed patients as necessary, provide patients with fresh drinking water.
- Perform finger sticks for blood glucose testing, with appropriate training.
- Assist with admission, discharge, and transportation of patients.
- Follow standard precautions and use personal protective equipment as required.
- Collect, deliver and conduct routine tests on patient specimens.
- Clean assigned area; stock and replenish supplies and equipment as required.
- Participate in own professional development by maintaining required skills validation and attending educational offerings.
- Support the development of other staff and formal learners.
- Perform sterile dressing change for wounds over 48 hours old, IV fluid assistance activities, oral/nasogastric feeding and urinary catheterizations/irrigation.
- Greeting patients and visitors, answering the telephone, responding to patient’s requests, accessing the electronic medical record (EMR), scheduling appointments and providing general clerical support as needed by the department.
What you will need:
- Current Nurse Aide I Registry listing with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Service Regulation
- Basic Life Support certification from American Heart Association.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions:
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Care Assistant
Target healthcare networks over solo practices
Large hospital systems, assisted living chains, and nonprofit care organizations are far more likely to have HR infrastructure for OPT work authorization. Smaller private practices often lack experience navigating employment eligibility requirements for international students.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Let hiring managers know exactly how long your OPT authorization runs and whether you qualify for a STEM extension. A clear timeline helps employers plan staffing and assess whether sponsoring you after OPT makes practical sense for their organization.
Emphasize credentials that transfer directly
CPR certification, patient care technician training, and any clinical hours from your degree program are concrete qualifications that make you immediately useful. Hiring managers in care settings prioritize hands-on readiness, so lead with certifications before discussing visa status.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship history before accepting offers
Before signing anything, ask whether the employer has sponsored H-1B or green card petitions for previous employees. Employers who have done it before understand the process and are significantly more likely to support you when your OPT authorization period ends.
Build references from clinical or practicum placements
Supervisors from internships, clinical rotations, or practicum placements carry significant weight in care hiring. A strong reference from a licensed practitioner signals both professional competence and that you've already cleared basic background and credentialing checkpoints employers care about.
Care Assistant jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Care Assistant on OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree field. A care assistant position connects clearly to degrees in nursing, public health, gerontology, social work, or health sciences. You'll need to document that connection for your DSO and keep it on file in case USCIS requests evidence of OPT compliance.
Do Care Assistant employers typically sponsor work visas after OPT?
Some do, particularly large healthcare networks, senior living companies, and nonprofit care organizations that hire internationally trained staff regularly. Smaller private employers are less consistent. The best approach is to filter for employers with a documented H-1B filing history before applying. Migrate Mate makes it easy to find Care Assistant roles at employers with active sponsorship records.
Does a Care Assistant job qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If you graduated from a STEM-designated program, such as a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Biomedical Science, or a qualifying Nursing program, you may be eligible for a 24-month STEM extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before assuming you qualify.
What documents do I need to start a Care Assistant job on OPT?
You'll need your EAD card, a valid passport, your I-20 with OPT authorization noted, and your Social Security Number. Some care employers also require background checks, CPR certification verification, and state-specific health screenings before your first day. Confirm the full onboarding requirements with HR before your start date so there are no delays.
How do I find Care Assistant jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Search on Migrate Mate, which is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by visa sponsorship willingness. Care assistant roles listed there are sourced with international candidates in mind, which means fewer awkward conversations about work authorization at the interview stage.
See which Care Assistant employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
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