OPT Clinical Assistant Jobs
Clinical Assistant roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in health sciences, pre-medicine, biology, or a related field. Most positions qualify for STEM OPT extension if your degree is STEM-designated. Employers in clinical settings are increasingly familiar with OPT work authorization, making this a practical entry point into U.S. healthcare.
Find OPT Clinical Assistant JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 1,205+ Clinical Assistant jobs










See all 1,205+ Clinical Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Clinical Assistant roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
Stanford University’s Department of Dermatology is seeking an Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator (ACRC) to perform administrative support duties related to the collection of clinical data and the coordination of clinical studies. This position is hybrid and requires at least 3 days in the office a week at the Redwood City Campus. In this role, the ACRC will work under the supervision of the principal investigator and the clinical research manager.
Interested candidates, please apply with your resume and a cover letter.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Bachelor’s degree with an educational background in medicine and/or scientific field (biological sciences, social sciences, etc.)
- Proven ability to work independently and take ownership of a project.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a team environment.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and balance multiple projects and timelines at one time.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills.
- Proficiency in using computers, software, AI tools such as Claude Code/Cowork, and web-based applications in a previous administrative setting
Physical Requirements:
- Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat and use fine light/fine grasping.
- Occasionally sit, reach above shoulders, perform desk based computer tasks, use a telephone and write by hand, lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 40 pounds.
- Rarely kneel, crawl, climb ladders, grasp forcefully, sort and file paperwork or parts, rarely lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh 40 pounds or more.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Position may at times require the employee to work with or be in areas where hazardous materials and/or exposure to chemicals, blood, body fluid or tissues and risk of exposure to contagious diseases and infections. May require extended or unusual work hours based on research requirements and business needs.
WORK STANDARDS:
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
Core Duties:
- Schedule and/or call subjects for appointments; contact participants with reminders or other requirements.
- Prepare, distribute, and process questionnaires.
- Perform clerical duties in the preparation of regulatory documents. Maintain all forms and documents, including consent forms and master subject logs. File all appropriate correspondence.
- Assist with the screening, recruiting, and obtaining consent of study participants. Review medical records and/or perform telephone or in-person interviews to gather data, as needed.
- Administer standard study questionnaires and tests, score test measurements and questionnaires, and code data for computer entry. Perform quantitative review of forms, tests, and other measurements for completeness and accuracy.
- Extract data from source documents for research studies as directed. Collect data and complete case report forms.
- Perform basic measurements and tests on patients according to protocol, such as obtaining vital signs and performing phlebotomy and EKG, after appropriate training/certification. Collect study specimens according to protocol.
- Prepare, process, and ship specimens/samples accurately under well-defined requirements.
- Order and maintain equipment and supplies.
- Process study compensation payments and thank you letters to subjects upon completion of trial activities. Assist with post-study activities, as needed.
Minimum Education and Experience
Two-year college degree and one year of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
General knowledge of medical terminology.
Certificates and Licenses Required
Working toward certification(s) to perform basic patient measurements and tests, such as phlebotomy and EKG.
Must possess and maintain a valid California non-commercial Class C Driver's License, if applicable.
See all 1,205+ OPT Clinical Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Clinical Assistant Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Clinical Assistant
Confirm your degree qualifies
Clinical Assistant roles typically require a degree in health sciences, biology, or a related field. Verify your specific degree qualifies under OPT before applying, and check whether it carries a STEM designation for the 24-month extension.
Apply before your OPT start date
Most clinical employers need time to complete onboarding, background checks, and credentialing. Start applying at least 60 days before your OPT employment authorization begins so your start date aligns with their hiring timeline.
Address OPT proactively in applications
Many clinical hiring managers are unfamiliar with OPT authorization. Briefly explain in your cover letter that you have work authorization for up to three years without employer-sponsored paperwork or filing costs on their end.
Target employers with existing OPT or visa experience
Large hospital systems, academic medical centers, and multi-site clinics are more likely to have HR processes in place for international students. Focus your search on organizations that have hired OPT students before.
Prepare your EAD card documentation early
Clinical employers must complete Form I-9 before you begin work. Have your Employment Authorization Document and passport ready at onboarding. Delays in receiving your EAD can push back your start date, so apply to USCIS as early as permitted.
Understand STEM OPT reporting requirements
If you extend onto STEM OPT, your employer must agree to a formal training plan using Form I-983. Discuss this with HR early and confirm the organization can fulfill the required self-evaluation and reporting obligations before accepting an offer.
Clinical Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Clinical Assistant on OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in a directly related field such as health sciences, biology, nursing, or pre-medicine. OPT requires that your employment be directly related to your major area of study. A Clinical Assistant role supporting patient care or clinical operations generally satisfies this requirement, but you should confirm the connection with your DSO before accepting an offer.
Do Clinical Assistant jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
They can, but it depends on your degree, not the job title. If your undergraduate or graduate degree is in a STEM-designated field, such as biology, biomedical science, or health informatics, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12 months. Check whether your specific CIP code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program list maintained by ICE.
How do I find Clinical Assistant jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings to surface employers open to OPT work authorization. Searching there is more efficient than general job boards because you avoid applying to roles where international students are screened out early. Focus on hospital systems and academic medical centers, which tend to have more experience hiring on OPT.
Do Clinical Assistant employers need to sponsor me or file any paperwork for OPT?
No. During your OPT period, your work authorization comes from USCIS through your EAD card, not from your employer. The employer does not file a petition or pay government fees. Their only obligations are completing Form I-9 for employment verification and, if you are on STEM OPT, signing a training plan on Form I-983 and conducting periodic evaluations.
What happens to my Clinical Assistant job if I apply for H-1B after OPT?
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your OPT expires, a provision called cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization while the petition is pending. Clinical Assistant roles can qualify as H-1B specialty occupations if the position requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field, though this depends on how the employer defines the role.