Certified Nurse Aide Jobs for OPT Students

Certified Nurse Aide jobs on OPT are available across hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies. Most CNAs work full-time hours, which satisfies your OPT employment requirement. Your F-1 OPT work must directly relate to your healthcare or nursing assistant training program.

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Overview

Open Jobs126+
Top Visa TypeF-1 CPT
Work Type100% On-site
Top LocationHazard, KY
Most JobsAppalachian Regional Healthcare

Showing 5 of 126+ Certified Nurse Aide jobs

BAYADA Home Health Care
Certified Nurse Aide
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BAYADA Home Health Care
New 3m ago
Certified Nurse Aide
BAYADA Home Health Care
Brevard, North Carolina
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Support
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
On-Site
None

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Monument Health
Certified or Non-Certified Nurse Aide
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Monument Health
Added 6d ago
Certified or Non-Certified Nurse Aide
Monument Health
Rapid City
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$37,856 - $43,414/yr
On-Site
High School

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St. Marys Medical Center
Certified Nurse Aide
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St. Marys Medical Center
Added 6d ago
Certified Nurse Aide
St. Marys Medical Center
Huntington, West Virginia
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Support
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
On-Site
Other
1,001-5,000

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Community Medical Center
Certified Nurse Aide CNA
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Community Medical Center
Added 1w ago
Certified Nurse Aide CNA
Community Medical Center
Missoula, Montana
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
High School

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Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH)
Certified Nurse Aide
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Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH)
Added 1w ago
Certified Nurse Aide
Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH)
Hyden, Kentucky
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
None

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How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Certified Nurse Aide

Verify your program qualifies for OPT authorization

CNA roles qualify for OPT only if your degree or certificate program is in a related field, such as healthcare, nursing, or allied health. Confirm with your DSO that your specific program supports CNA employment before applying.

Target employers with structured onboarding programs

Large hospital systems and national long-term care chains hire CNAs regularly and often have HR teams familiar with work authorization. These employers are more likely to understand OPT timelines and accommodate your employment start date requirements.

Get your state CNA certification before your OPT start date

Every state requires CNAs to pass a competency exam and appear on the state registry before working. Complete your certification exam during CPT or before graduation so you can start working immediately once your OPT period begins.

Address OPT timing proactively with hiring managers

CNA hiring moves quickly. Tell recruiters your exact OPT authorization dates upfront so facilities can plan your start date. Delays from unclear work authorization timelines can cause offers to fall through in high-turnover healthcare settings.

Pursue STEM OPT extension if your program qualifies

If your nursing or healthcare program is STEM-classified, you may qualify for a 24-month OPT extension. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO early, as not all healthcare programs carry STEM designation.

Document the connection between your coursework and CNA duties

USCIS requires OPT employment to directly relate to your field of study. Keep a written record linking your clinical training, coursework, and CNA job duties in case your DSO or employer needs to verify the relationship later.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as a Certified Nurse Aide on F-1 OPT?

Yes, if your degree or certificate program is in a qualifying healthcare-related field such as nursing assistant training, allied health, or a related discipline. Your CNA job duties must connect directly to your field of study. Your DSO can confirm whether your specific program supports this employment before you accept an offer.

Do CNA employers typically understand F-1 OPT work authorization?

It depends on the employer. Large hospital networks and national long-term care operators often have HR departments experienced with work authorization documentation. Smaller independent facilities may be less familiar with OPT. When applying, look for employers who have hired international students before, and be prepared to briefly explain your EAD card and authorized work period. Migrate Mate lists CNA roles from employers open to OPT candidates.

Does working as a CNA satisfy my OPT full-time employment requirement?

Most CNA positions are full-time roles with 36 to 40 hours per week, which satisfies the standard OPT employment requirement during your authorized period. Part-time CNA work counts as well, though your DSO may have specific guidance on maintaining valid OPT status with fewer hours. Confirm the expected schedule with your employer before signing an offer.

Can I work as a CNA while waiting for my OPT EAD card to arrive?

No. You cannot begin working until you have your physical EAD card in hand and your OPT start date has passed, even if your application is approved. Apply for OPT as early as USCIS allows, typically up to 90 days before your program end date, to minimize the gap between graduation and your authorized work start date.

Does my CNA role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?

Possibly, but it depends on your specific academic program rather than the job title. CNA roles themselves are not STEM-designated, but if you graduated from a STEM-classified healthcare or health informatics program, you may qualify for the 24-month extension. Check your program's CIP code with your DSO and confirm your employer can meet E-Verify requirements before pursuing this path.

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