OPT Certified Medical Assistant Jobs
Certified Medical Assistant jobs on OPT are available at physician offices, urgent care clinics, and hospital systems that routinely hire foreign-trained graduates. Most roles qualify as STEM-adjacent under healthcare science degrees, and many employers are familiar with the 12-month standard OPT authorization window.
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Primary Location:
West Louisville Urgent Care - ULP - CMG
Address:
2746 Virginia Avenue
Louisville, KY 40211
Shift:
First Shift (United States of America)
Job Description Summary:
UofL Health is a fully integrated regional academic health system with five hospitals, four medical centers, nearly 200 physician practice locations, more than 700 providers, the Frazier Rehab Institute and Brown Cancer Center.
With more than 12,000 team members—physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other highly skilled health care professionals—UofL Health is focused on one mission: delivering patient-centered care to each and every patient each and every day.
Job Description:
A non-exempt position responsible for performing a variety of duties in the medical practice including: medical assisting and X-ray. Responsible for operating radiographic equipment to make radiographs of designated portions of the body under the direct order of a physician and in accordance with radiation safety procedures. Graduate of an accredited School of Radiologic Technology and registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or registry-eligible required. CPR Certification and previous healthcare experience preferred. Must be certified by the state of Kentucky.
Essential Functions:
- Greets patient, confirms image to be taken, and explains X-Ray to patient. Takes X-Ray exposures of patient following protocol for position of body, intensity of radiation, and time of exposure. Processes film and inspects images to determine that images meet the requirements of the radiologist. Maintains equipment and examination room, stores film, and keeps inventory of related supplies. Prepares patient information files showing patient’s name, date of x-ray, and type of exam done.
- Fulfills patient care responsibilities as assigned that may include: checking schedules and organizing patient flow, accompanying patients to exam/procedure room, assisting patients as needed with walking transfers, dressing, collecting specimens, preparing for exams, collecting patient history, performing screenings per provider guidelines, assisting physicians with various procedures, charting, relaying instructions to patients/families, answering calls, and providing pertinent information.
- Fulfills environmental responsibilities as assigned that may include: setting up instruments and equipment according to department protocols, cleaning exam/procedure rooms, instruments and equipment between patient visits to maintain infection control, cleaning sterilizer according to scheduled maintenance program and keeping appropriate records, ordering, sorting, storing supplies, and restocking exam/procedure rooms.
- Fulfills clinical medical assisting responsibilities which vary according to state law, which may include medical/surgical asepsis, sterilization, instrument wrapping and autoclaving, checking vital signs, physical examination preparations, drug administration through various routes including injections, prescription verifications with physician’s orders, minor surgery assists including surgical tray set-up, pre/post-surgical care, applying dressings, suture removal, biohazard waste disposal and monitoring, laboratory procedures in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) guidelines, quality control methods, CLIA waived testing, capillary punctures and venipunctures; specimen handling such as urine, throat, vaginal, stool and sputum; electrocardiography including mounting, emergency triage, and first aid.
- Other duties as assigned
Shift Requirements:
Shift Length (in hours): 8
Shifts/Week: 5
Overtime Required: Infrequently Sometimes Often n/a (exempt position)
Additional Job Description:
Education
- High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED)
- Medical assistant diploma from accredited vocational institution, or community college course in medical assisting.
- Associate degree in Radiological Technology from accredited x-ray technical program
Experience
- Minimum one year of working in a medical facility as a medical assistant/lmr (preferred)
Licensure
- Licensure through the KBMIRT for Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (required).
- Temporary Operator's License accepted, must have full KBMIRT licensure within 1 year.
Certification
- Must complete CMA or RMA certification within 90 days of employment (required).
- BLS through American Heart Association (required).
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Certified Medical Assistant
Target multi-location healthcare employers
Large healthcare systems like Kaiser Permanente or HCA Healthcare have dedicated HR teams experienced with work authorization paperwork. They're far more likely to understand OPT than a solo physician's private practice with no prior international hires.
Lead with your CMA certification upfront
AAMA or NHA certification signals you've already cleared the credentialing hurdle employers care most about. Mentioning your CMA credential before your visa status reframes you as a qualified hire first, reducing hesitation around authorization logistics.
Clarify OPT authorization in your cover letter
Briefly explain that OPT grants 12 months of work authorization requiring no employer petition or USCIS filing. Many healthcare managers assume sponsorship is complicated. A single clear sentence removes that assumption before it becomes an objection.
Check whether your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Health sciences, clinical laboratory science, and related majors may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension if listed on the STEM designated degree program list. This extends your authorized period to 36 months total, significantly improving your long-term hiring appeal.
Highlight clinical hours and patient volume experience
Employers hiring CMAs prioritize hands-on clinical exposure over academic credentials alone. Quantify your externship hours, the specialties you rotated through, and the patient volume you supported. Concrete numbers make your application stand out regardless of visa status.
Certified Medical Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Certified Medical Assistants legally?
Yes. OPT authorizes F-1 graduates to work in roles directly related to their field of study. Graduates of medical assisting, health sciences, or allied health programs qualify to work as Certified Medical Assistants during their OPT period. Your work must be in a role connected to your degree, which CMA positions clearly satisfy for most relevant programs.
Do employers need to file paperwork to hire me on OPT as a CMA?
No employer filing is required during your OPT period. Unlike H-1B sponsorship, OPT is pre-authorized through your DSO and USCIS before you start the job. Your employer just needs to verify your Employment Authorization Document. You do need to report your employer to your DSO within 10 days of starting work.
Does a medical assisting degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific degree and CIP code. Some health informatics, clinical laboratory science, and health sciences degrees are on the STEM designated degree program list, qualifying graduates for a 24-month extension beyond standard OPT. A general medical assisting certificate or associate degree often does not qualify. Check the official STEM list and confirm with your DSO early.
Where can I find Certified Medical Assistant jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-holding job seekers, so the employers listed there are already aware of work authorization requirements. Searching on Migrate Mate filters for roles where sponsorship or OPT acceptance is already part of the employer's hiring process, saving you from applying to positions that will screen you out immediately.
Can I work part-time as a CMA during the post-completion OPT period?
Yes, but with a restriction. Post-completion OPT requires you to work at least 20 hours per week to remain in valid status. Part-time CMA roles at 20 hours or more are permitted. Working fewer than 20 hours per week or being unemployed for more than 90 cumulative days during your OPT period puts your status at risk.