OPT Certified Nurse Aide Jobs
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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Get Access To All JobsAS A CERTIFIED NURSE AIDE (CNA), you’ll be relied upon for prioritizing resident needs in order to assure their continuing comfort while providing direct and indirect supportive nursing care.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Completion of a Nurse Aide Course required
- Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Certification for long-term care required
- Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, shifts, and departments required
- CPR skills preferred
- One year of Nurse Aide experience preferred
- Basic computer skills preferred
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Competitive Compensation based on experience
- Professional Development
- Supportive and Experienced Peers
BENEFITS:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision offered the first month after start date
- Generous Paid Time Off
- 403(b) retirement plan with company match
- Company Paid Short & Long Term disability coverage
- Company Paid and Voluntary Life Insurance
- Flex Spending Account
- 25% discount on all services at Penn Highlands Healthcare facilities
- PH Elk Cafeteria Discount
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health & Wellness Programs
AS A CERTIFIED NURSE AIDE (CNA), you’ll be relied upon for prioritizing resident needs in order to assure their continuing comfort while providing direct and indirect supportive nursing care.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Completion of a Nurse Aide Course required
- Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Certification for long-term care required
- Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, shifts, and departments required
- CPR skills preferred
- One year of Nurse Aide experience preferred
- Basic computer skills preferred
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Competitive Compensation based on experience
- Professional Development
- Supportive and Experienced Peers
BENEFITS:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision offered the first month after start date
- Generous Paid Time Off
- 403(b) retirement plan with company match
- Company Paid Short & Long Term disability coverage
- Company Paid and Voluntary Life Insurance
- Flex Spending Account
- 25% discount on all services at Penn Highlands Healthcare facilities
- PH Elk Cafeteria Discount
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health & Wellness Programs
See all OPT Certified Nurse Aide Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT 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.
Certified Nurse Aide OPT: 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.