Clinical Assistant Jobs for OPT Students
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.
See All Clinical Assistant JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 13,541+ Clinical Assistant jobs


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?
See all 13,541+ 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
Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.
Job Summary
Performs assigned patient care and related administrative duties under the direct supervision of the physician(s). Performs a variety of office/clerical duties as assigned by the office manager. Specific duties and responsibilities assigned to the individual will be determined by the supervising physician(s) and office manager after competency is established.
Essential Functions
- All team members are expected to be knowledgeable and compliant with Prisma Health's purpose: Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.
- Records patient data prior to office visits including but not limited to vital signs, height, weight, and allergies.
- Prepare exam and treatment rooms. Prepare and maintain supplies and equipment for treatments, cleaning/sterilizing instruments as needed.
- Responsible for phlebotomy and specimen handling including blood, sputum, stool and oral/nasal once competency validation is complete.
- Assists with exams and procedures. Performs EKGs as appropriate.
- Document data and care in the patient medical record. Maintain as confidential.
- Complete medical insurance and other related forms for physician review. Communicate as needed with the patient, referral source and payor between visits. Complete patient registration, scheduling and billing tasks, pre-authorization and other general office/clerical duties as assigned. Schedule tests and treatments, as ordered by the physician.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory/Management Responsibilities
This is a non-management job that will report to a supervisor, manager, director or executive.
Minimum Requirements
- Education - Completion of an accredited medical assistant program
- Experience - No experience required.
In Lieu Of
In lieu of completion of a medical assistant program, will accept at least 3 months of healthcare related experience such as nursing assistant or medical assistant with on-the-job training. In lieu of completion of a medical assistant program, will accept a bachelor's degree in a related field.
Required Certifications, Registrations, Licenses
Team members in this job will be encouraged to voluntarily enroll and complete an accredited medical assistant program and work towards obtaining medical assistant certification as recognized by the State of South Carolina.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
NA
Work Shift
Day (United States of America)
Location
Blount Memorial Hospital
Facility
8100 BMPG Joule Street Alcoa
Department
81001003 BMPG Primary Care Joule St
Share your talent with us! Our vision is simple: to transform healthcare for the benefits of the communities we serve. The transformation of healthcare requires talented individuals in every role here at Prisma Health.

Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.
Job Summary
Performs assigned patient care and related administrative duties under the direct supervision of the physician(s). Performs a variety of office/clerical duties as assigned by the office manager. Specific duties and responsibilities assigned to the individual will be determined by the supervising physician(s) and office manager after competency is established.
Essential Functions
- All team members are expected to be knowledgeable and compliant with Prisma Health's purpose: Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.
- Records patient data prior to office visits including but not limited to vital signs, height, weight, and allergies.
- Prepare exam and treatment rooms. Prepare and maintain supplies and equipment for treatments, cleaning/sterilizing instruments as needed.
- Responsible for phlebotomy and specimen handling including blood, sputum, stool and oral/nasal once competency validation is complete.
- Assists with exams and procedures. Performs EKGs as appropriate.
- Document data and care in the patient medical record. Maintain as confidential.
- Complete medical insurance and other related forms for physician review. Communicate as needed with the patient, referral source and payor between visits. Complete patient registration, scheduling and billing tasks, pre-authorization and other general office/clerical duties as assigned. Schedule tests and treatments, as ordered by the physician.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory/Management Responsibilities
This is a non-management job that will report to a supervisor, manager, director or executive.
Minimum Requirements
- Education - Completion of an accredited medical assistant program
- Experience - No experience required.
In Lieu Of
In lieu of completion of a medical assistant program, will accept at least 3 months of healthcare related experience such as nursing assistant or medical assistant with on-the-job training. In lieu of completion of a medical assistant program, will accept a bachelor's degree in a related field.
Required Certifications, Registrations, Licenses
Team members in this job will be encouraged to voluntarily enroll and complete an accredited medical assistant program and work towards obtaining medical assistant certification as recognized by the State of South Carolina.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
NA
Work Shift
Day (United States of America)
Location
Blount Memorial Hospital
Facility
8100 BMPG Joule Street Alcoa
Department
81001003 BMPG Primary Care Joule St
Share your talent with us! Our vision is simple: to transform healthcare for the benefits of the communities we serve. The transformation of healthcare requires talented individuals in every role here at Prisma Health.
How to Get Visa 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 jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Clinical Assistant JobsSee all 13,541+ 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 JobsFrequently 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 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.
See which Clinical Assistant employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Clinical Assistant Jobs