OPT Compliance Lead Jobs
Compliance Lead roles sit at the intersection of law, policy, and business operations, making them a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in business, finance, law, or public policy. Many employers in financial services, healthcare, and tech actively sponsor OPT students for these positions, particularly given the 24-month STEM OPT extension available to qualifying graduates.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: Pensacola, FL
Facility: Ascension Sacred Heart Medical Group
Department: Quality
Schedule: Day shift | Full-time
COMPENSATION
- Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
- Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
- Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
- Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
- Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
- Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
- Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more
YOUR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Verify that practice managers and clinical staff perform laboratory quality controls and standard operating procedures flawlessly.
- Direct staff competency assessments, proficiency testing, and quality assurance initiatives across all assigned sites.
- Conduct routine on-site visits and clinical audits across your assigned territory to support continuous operational quality.
- Assess laboratory workflows, documentation, equipment maintenance schedules, and quality logs for operational effectiveness.
- Deliver hands-on training, targeted guidance, and corrective action plans to empower clinic staff.
LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION / REGISTRATION
Required Credential(s):
- None Required.
Preferred Credential(s):
- Cytotechnologist credentialed from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC).
- Histological Tech credentialed from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC).
- Medical Technologist (ASCP) credentialed from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC).
- Laboratory Tech credentialed from the American Board of Bioanalysis (AAB).
- Laboratory Tech credentialed from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC).
- Medical Lab Scientist (ASCP) credentialed from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC).
- Medical Tech credentialed from the American Board of Bioanalysis (AAB).
- Medical Tech credentialed from the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Education
Associate's degree in medical technology, medical laboratory scientist, human sciences; or completed a military 50-60 week technician program and meets the minimum CLIA requirements; or education qualifications as stated per CLIA requirements.
WORK EXPERIENCE
2 years of experience required.
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process, our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.
Location: Pensacola, FL
Facility: Ascension Sacred Heart Medical Group
Department: Quality
Schedule: Day shift | Full-time
COMPENSATION
- Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
- Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
- Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
- Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
- Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
- Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
- Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more
YOUR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Verify that practice managers and clinical staff perform laboratory quality controls and standard operating procedures flawlessly.
- Direct staff competency assessments, proficiency testing, and quality assurance initiatives across all assigned sites.
- Conduct routine on-site visits and clinical audits across your assigned territory to support continuous operational quality.
- Assess laboratory workflows, documentation, equipment maintenance schedules, and quality logs for operational effectiveness.
- Deliver hands-on training, targeted guidance, and corrective action plans to empower clinic staff.
LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION / REGISTRATION
Required Credential(s):
- None Required.
Preferred Credential(s):
- Cytotechnologist credentialed from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC).
- Histological Tech credentialed from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC).
- Medical Technologist (ASCP) credentialed from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC).
- Laboratory Tech credentialed from the American Board of Bioanalysis (AAB).
- Laboratory Tech credentialed from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC).
- Medical Lab Scientist (ASCP) credentialed from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC).
- Medical Tech credentialed from the American Board of Bioanalysis (AAB).
- Medical Tech credentialed from the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Education
Associate's degree in medical technology, medical laboratory scientist, human sciences; or completed a military 50-60 week technician program and meets the minimum CLIA requirements; or education qualifications as stated per CLIA requirements.
WORK EXPERIENCE
2 years of experience required.
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process, our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.
See all 112+ OPT Compliance Lead Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Compliance Lead Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Compliance Lead
Highlight your degree's regulatory relevance
Compliance is a specialty occupation requiring a degree in a directly related field. Frame your business, finance, accounting, or law background explicitly against the job description so hiring managers can see the degree-to-role alignment USCIS requires.
Get your CAMS or CFE certification
Earning a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist or Certified Fraud Examiner credential while on OPT signals serious commitment to the field. Many employers view these certifications as evidence of specialized knowledge that strengthens a specialty occupation classification.
Apply before your OPT clock runs out
Compliance roles often have longer hiring cycles due to background checks and multiple interview rounds. Start your search at least four months before OPT expiration so there's time to complete the process and file for an H-1B or STEM extension if needed.
Ask directly about CAP-exempt employers
Hospitals, nonprofits, and universities are cap-exempt H-1B employers, meaning they can hire you year-round without lottery risk. Many have active compliance functions. Prioritizing these employers reduces the uncertainty of relying on H-1B lottery selection after OPT ends.
Document your compliance work in specific terms
When describing your OPT experience, use specific regulatory frameworks you worked under, such as SOX, BSA, HIPAA, or SEC rules. This level of detail helps immigration attorneys classify the role as a specialty occupation and strengthens future visa petitions.
Compliance Lead OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as a Compliance Lead?
Yes. Compliance Lead is a specialty occupation under USCIS guidelines because it typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as finance, accounting, business administration, or law. F-1 students with post-completion OPT authorization can work full-time in this role. Students with STEM-eligible degrees may also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving them up to three years of total work authorization.
Does a Compliance Lead role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field, such as management information systems, financial mathematics, or data analytics, and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, you may qualify for the 24-month extension. The compliance role itself does not determine eligibility. Check your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List to confirm.
Where can I find Compliance Lead jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job searches, so every listing on the platform is screened for sponsorship willingness. Searching there saves significant time compared to filtering through general job boards where sponsorship status is rarely disclosed upfront. Compliance roles in financial services, healthcare, and technology appear regularly on the platform.
What happens to my Compliance Lead job if my OPT expires before the H-1B lottery?
If your OPT expires before an H-1B is approved and you are not STEM-eligible, your employment authorization ends. Planning is critical. If you have a STEM-eligible degree, file for the extension well before expiration. If not, prioritize cap-exempt employers early in your search. Some students also explore O-1A visas if they have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their compliance career.
Do Compliance Lead roles count as qualifying employment for OPT reporting purposes?
Yes, as long as the position is directly related to your major field of study, full-time, and paid. You must report the employer details to your DSO within 10 days of starting. If your compliance role is in a field adjacent to your degree, document the connection clearly, since SEVIS requires that OPT employment be in a role related to your program of study.