OPT Contract Nurse RN Jobs
Contract Nurse RN jobs on OPT are available, but your 14-month STEM extension does not apply to nursing, standard OPT gives you 12 months. Most contract roles are through staffing agencies, which can sponsor H-1B visa or EB-3 if you transition off OPT. Licensing requirements vary by state, so confirm your RN license is active where the contract is located.
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Company Overview:
Acentra Health exists to empower better health outcomes through technology, services, and clinical expertise. Our mission is to innovate health solutions that deliver maximum value and impact.
Lead the Way is our rallying cry at Acentra Health. Think of it as an open invitation to embrace the mission of the company; to actively engage in problem-solving; and to take ownership of your work every day. Acentra Health offers you unparalleled opportunities. In fact, you have all you need to take charge of your career and accelerate better outcomes – making this a great time to join our team of passionate individuals dedicated to being a vital partner for health solutions in the public sector.
Job Summary and Responsibilities:
Acentra Health is looking for a Contract Performance & Compliance Specialist to join our growing team.
Job Summary:
The purpose of this position is to implement, monitor, and report on activities required for Contract Performance & Compliance projects, including the following:
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Behavioral Health Provider Data. This includes enhancing mapping, collection, validation, analysis, and presentation of data on individuals served by the state’s behavioral health providers in accordance with evolving Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) requirements.
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This is a remote position based within the State of West Virginia. There may be occasional in-person requirements, including quarterly staff meetings and an initial in-person meeting at the Charleston office on the first day.
Responsibilities:
- Implement and maintain procedures for tracking, executing, and improving Behavioral Health Provider Data
- Read contracts, amendments, and RFPs to identify and track project deliverables
- Utilize and improve upon current project compliance processes
- Monitor contract compliance and performance of the projects to alert leadership of trends, risks, and opportunities
- Document and maintain process and access requirements for contract compliance tracking
- Lead the Acentra Health team on mapping, collection, validation, analysis, and presentation of data on individuals served by the state’s behavioral health providers in accordance with evolving Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA)
- Organize and facilitate meetings with internal and external project partners, document group decision-making, and track action items
- Read, understand, and adhere to all corporate policies including policies related to HIPAA and its Privacy and Security Rules
- Assist the Acentra Health team with other duties as assigned.
- Read, understand, and adhere to all corporate policies including policies related to HIPAA and its Privacy and Security Rules.
The list of accountabilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other education- and experience-related duties that management may deem necessary from time to time.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- 2+ years of experience in a related field (e.g., data collection, analysis, and reporting; conducting consumer surveys or focus groups; contract compliance, including monitoring quality and performance indicators; or experience providing behavioral health)
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficient in Microsoft Products, specifically Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint
- Experience in behavioral health or state government
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Experience organizing, conducting, and documenting team meetings
- Attention to detail skills
- Ability to work both independently and in a team setting
Why us?
We are a team of experienced and caring leaders, clinicians, pioneering technologists, and industry professionals who come together to redefine expectations for the healthcare industry. State and federal healthcare agencies, providers, and employers turn to us as their vital partner to ensure better healthcare and improve health outcomes. We do this through our people.
You will have meaningful work that genuinely improves people's lives across the country. We are a company that cares about our employees, and we give you the tools and encouragement you need to achieve the finest work of your career.
Benefits
Benefits are a key component of your rewards package. Our benefits are designed to provide you with additional protection, security, and support for both your career and your life away from work. Our benefits include comprehensive health plans, paid time off, retirement savings, corporate wellness, educational assistance, corporate discounts, and more.
Experience in Lieu of Degree
For non-clinical roles, or when not required by the contract specifically, the Company acknowledges that practical, hands-on experience can provide skills and competencies equivalent to formal education. As such, in cases where a Bachelor's degree may be required, the Company will accept a minimum of six (6) years of directly relevant professional experience in lieu of a degree. In instances where the candidate has an Associate's degree, the Company will accept a minimum of three (3) years of directly relevant professional experience in lieu of the Bachelor's degree.
Thank You!
We know your time is valuable and we thank you for applying for this position. Due to the high volume of applicants, only those who are chosen to advance in our interview process will be contacted. We sincerely appreciate your interest in Acentra Health and invite you to apply to future openings that may be of interest. Best of luck in your search!
~ The Acentra Health Talent Acquisition Team
EEO AA M/F/Vet/Disability
Acentra Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.
Compensation
The pay range for this position is listed below.
“Based on our compensation philosophy, an applicant’s position placement in the pay range will depend on various considerations, such as years of applicable experience and skill level.”
Pay Range: USD $50,880.00 - USD $63,600.00 /Yr.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Contract Nurse RN
Confirm your RN license covers the contract state
Nursing licenses are state-issued. If your contract is in a non-compact state, you need a separate license there. Start the endorsement process early, some states take 60 to 90 days to process, which can delay your start date.
Target staffing agencies with a history of visa sponsorship
Many large travel nursing agencies have sponsored H-1B visa and EB-3 petitions for international nurses. Ask recruiters directly about their sponsorship track record before committing to any contract or relocation package.
Understand OPT's 12-month limit for nursing roles
Nursing is not a STEM-designated field, so the 24-month STEM extension does not apply. You have 12 months of OPT. Plan your H-1B or EB-3 timeline with that window in mind to avoid a gap in work authorization.
Ask about cap-exempt H-1B sponsorship through hospital systems
Nonprofit hospitals and university health systems are often cap-exempt H-1B employers. A contract placed at one of these facilities through an agency may qualify, letting you bypass the H-1B lottery entirely.
Keep your OPT employment reporting current
Contract nursing roles frequently change locations and employers. Each new placement must be reported to your DSO within 10 days. Gaps between contracts longer than 90 days can jeopardize your OPT status.
Get your NCLEX and credential evaluation completed before you search
Most contract RN roles require an active NCLEX pass and a credential evaluation from a body like CGFNS. Having both ready before applying removes a common barrier and signals to recruiters that you can start quickly.
Contract Nurse RN OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Contract Nurse RN on OPT?
Yes, you can work as a Contract Nurse RN on OPT as long as the role is directly related to your nursing degree and you maintain valid work authorization. Nursing is not a STEM field, so you're limited to 12 months of post-completion OPT. Each new contract placement must be reported to your DSO, and you cannot have more than 90 days of unemployment during your OPT period.
Does the STEM OPT extension apply to nursing roles?
No. The 24-month STEM OPT extension is only available to graduates of programs in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Nursing programs are not on the STEM designated degree program list, so Contract Nurse RN roles on OPT are limited to the standard 12-month authorization period. Plan your visa transition, whether H-1B or EB-3, within that window.
How do I find Contract Nurse RN jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Contract Nurse RN positions from employers and staffing agencies open to candidates on OPT and visa sponsorship. Filtering by work authorization type helps you avoid wasting time on postings that require permanent residency or citizenship. Searching Migrate Mate specifically for OPT-friendly nursing contracts is the most efficient starting point.
Can a staffing agency sponsor my H-1B or green card after my OPT?
Yes, some travel nursing and healthcare staffing agencies have sponsored H-1B petitions and EB-3 green cards for international nurses. The EB-3 pathway is particularly common in nursing due to established PERM labor certification processes. Ask any agency recruiter directly about their sponsorship history and whether they have immigration counsel on staff before signing a contract.
Do I need a separate nursing license for each state where I take a contract?
It depends on whether the state participates in the Nursing Licensure Compact. Compact states allow nurses with a multistate license to practice without obtaining an additional license. Non-compact states require a separate endorsement application, which can take 60 to 90 days. Always verify the licensure requirement for the specific state before accepting a contract to avoid delays.