OPT Flight Paramedic Jobs
Flight Paramedic jobs on OPT are available but require careful timing. Most positions require FAA medical certification and state EMS licensure, which can take months to obtain. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if eligible, needs to account for credentialing lead time before your start date.
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Get Access To All JobsFlight Paramedic, LifeForce 6 - Full-time (45250)
Erlanger Baroness Hospital Chattanooga, TN
Flight Paramedic
Regular - Non-exempt - Full-time - Standard Hours 0.96
Description
Job Summary:
As a member of a highly trained and proficient team, the Flight Paramedic employed by Erlanger Health System is responsible for:
- Direct /indirect care of the patient(s) during prehospital and interfacility transports on board the aircraft or as deemed necessary within the hospital
- Assessment of any trauma or medical patient
- Initiation of indicated treatment modalities in accordance with written guidelines and verbal medical control direction
- Possession of and the ability to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age(s) of the patient(s) transported by the air medical service, including the neonate through the geriatric age populations
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span
- The ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and assimilate the information necessary to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age
- The demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide/prioritize care based on LIFEFORCE guidelines and procedures
- The demonstrated ability to work in and around helicopters in all phases of flight, and assist with maintaining cleanliness and efficiency of the air medical department
Refer to LIFEFORCE guideline 'Standards of Professional Performance of LIFEFORCE Air Medical Crew' 7136.2001 for detailed job responsibilities.
Education:
Required:
Graduate of an accredited Paramedic training program.
Preferred:
An AS degree is recommended, a BS or MS degree is preferred.
Experience:
Required:
A minimum of three years of continuous experience is required on an Advanced Life Support Ground Unit as a Paramedic. Experience must reflect general knowledge in pre-hospital medicine principles and practice skills, current trends and new developments.
Position Requirement(s): License/Certification/Registration
Required:
Licensed or Certified as a Paramedic in the state of residence. Must obtain Tennessee licensure prior to starting clinical orientation with LIFE FORCE. Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina licensure must be obtained prior to completion of orientation.
Certifications:
- Certification in BLS and ACLS.
- Certification in one of the following: PALS, PEPP, or PBTLS.
- Certification in one of the following: ITLS, PHTLS, or TNATC required.
- Certification in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
- After LIFE FORCE orientation, must always meet the state of Tennessee's Air Ambulance rules requirements as a Flight Paramedic.
- Flight Paramedic Certified (FP-C). New employees must obtain certification within one year of date employment.
Due to weight limitations allowed onboard the aircraft, the maximum body weight is 250 lbs including gear for an EC-145, EC-135 or Bell 407 aircraft base.
Preferred:
Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP)
Instructor certifications in BLS, ACLS, ITLS, PHTLS, and PEPP, PBTLS or PALS is preferred upon hire
Department Position Summary:
- Ability to perform both Basic and Advanced Life Support practices in the execution of patient care
- Possesses sound judgment and organizational ability
- Possesses and demonstrates above average written and oral communication skills
- Maintains proficiency as a FAA designated crewmember
- Maintains provider certifications in ACLS, BLS, ITLS or PHTLS Also must hold certification in one of the following: PALS, PEPP or PBTLS, (instructor certifications preferred).
- Must maintain Flight Paramedic Certification (FP-C) by July 01, 2011 for current employees and within 12 months of hire date for new employees.
- Must be able to tolerate the stresses of flight including, but not limited to, unpressurized helicopter flight in both VFR and IFR weather conditions, motion sickness and temperature extremes.
- Must be physically fit to lift, twist, bend and work in small, sometimes hazardous environments.
- Must meet all FAA designated crew members requirement to participate in initial and random drug screening while employed as such.
- Must be able to wear installed safety belts, helmets, Nomex flight suit, and boots.
Flight Paramedic, LifeForce 6 - Full-time (45250)
Erlanger Baroness Hospital Chattanooga, TN
Flight Paramedic
Regular - Non-exempt - Full-time - Standard Hours 0.96
Description
Job Summary:
As a member of a highly trained and proficient team, the Flight Paramedic employed by Erlanger Health System is responsible for:
- Direct /indirect care of the patient(s) during prehospital and interfacility transports on board the aircraft or as deemed necessary within the hospital
- Assessment of any trauma or medical patient
- Initiation of indicated treatment modalities in accordance with written guidelines and verbal medical control direction
- Possession of and the ability to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age(s) of the patient(s) transported by the air medical service, including the neonate through the geriatric age populations
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span
- The ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and assimilate the information necessary to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age
- The demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide/prioritize care based on LIFEFORCE guidelines and procedures
- The demonstrated ability to work in and around helicopters in all phases of flight, and assist with maintaining cleanliness and efficiency of the air medical department
Refer to LIFEFORCE guideline 'Standards of Professional Performance of LIFEFORCE Air Medical Crew' 7136.2001 for detailed job responsibilities.
Education:
Required:
Graduate of an accredited Paramedic training program.
Preferred:
An AS degree is recommended, a BS or MS degree is preferred.
Experience:
Required:
A minimum of three years of continuous experience is required on an Advanced Life Support Ground Unit as a Paramedic. Experience must reflect general knowledge in pre-hospital medicine principles and practice skills, current trends and new developments.
Position Requirement(s): License/Certification/Registration
Required:
Licensed or Certified as a Paramedic in the state of residence. Must obtain Tennessee licensure prior to starting clinical orientation with LIFE FORCE. Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina licensure must be obtained prior to completion of orientation.
Certifications:
- Certification in BLS and ACLS.
- Certification in one of the following: PALS, PEPP, or PBTLS.
- Certification in one of the following: ITLS, PHTLS, or TNATC required.
- Certification in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
- After LIFE FORCE orientation, must always meet the state of Tennessee's Air Ambulance rules requirements as a Flight Paramedic.
- Flight Paramedic Certified (FP-C). New employees must obtain certification within one year of date employment.
Due to weight limitations allowed onboard the aircraft, the maximum body weight is 250 lbs including gear for an EC-145, EC-135 or Bell 407 aircraft base.
Preferred:
Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP)
Instructor certifications in BLS, ACLS, ITLS, PHTLS, and PEPP, PBTLS or PALS is preferred upon hire
Department Position Summary:
- Ability to perform both Basic and Advanced Life Support practices in the execution of patient care
- Possesses sound judgment and organizational ability
- Possesses and demonstrates above average written and oral communication skills
- Maintains proficiency as a FAA designated crewmember
- Maintains provider certifications in ACLS, BLS, ITLS or PHTLS Also must hold certification in one of the following: PALS, PEPP or PBTLS, (instructor certifications preferred).
- Must maintain Flight Paramedic Certification (FP-C) by July 01, 2011 for current employees and within 12 months of hire date for new employees.
- Must be able to tolerate the stresses of flight including, but not limited to, unpressurized helicopter flight in both VFR and IFR weather conditions, motion sickness and temperature extremes.
- Must be physically fit to lift, twist, bend and work in small, sometimes hazardous environments.
- Must meet all FAA designated crew members requirement to participate in initial and random drug screening while employed as such.
- Must be able to wear installed safety belts, helmets, Nomex flight suit, and boots.
See all OPT Flight Paramedic Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Flight Paramedic
Start credentialing before OPT begins
FAA medical exams and state paramedic licensure can take two to four months to process. Begin both before your OPT authorization starts so your first day of work isn't delayed by paperwork still in review.
Target air medical operators with dedicated HR teams
Larger air medical operators have immigration-experienced HR departments familiar with EAD-based work authorization. Smaller regional programs often lack that infrastructure, making OPT onboarding slower and more uncertain regardless of clinical qualifications.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Emergency Medical Services and related health science degrees may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Verify your CIP code with your DSO early. An extra two years significantly improves your timeline for securing employer H-1B visa sponsorship.
Apply before your graduation date, not after
Flight paramedic hiring cycles move slowly due to background checks, flight physicals, and training programs. Applying three to four months before OPT begins gives employers time to complete onboarding before your authorization window opens.
Document all clinical hours meticulously
Air medical employers and future visa sponsors will want verified records of flight hours, critical care transports, and advanced procedures performed. Organized documentation from day one strengthens both your application and any future H-1B or O-1 visa petition.
Communicate your EAD status clearly and early
Many air medical programs run federal contracts and conduct thorough employment verification. Presenting your EAD card with an accurate expiration date upfront avoids last-minute issues during the background check and security clearance stages of hiring.
Flight Paramedic OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as flight paramedics in the United States?
Yes. F-1 students authorized for OPT can work as flight paramedics, provided their Employment Authorization Document is active and their position is directly related to their field of study. Most air medical employers treat the EAD the same as other employment authorization documents during onboarding. You can browse open positions on Migrate Mate to find operators actively hiring OPT-eligible candidates.
Does a flight paramedic role qualify as STEM OPT eligible?
It depends on your specific degree and its CIP code. Emergency Medical Services Management and some health informatics programs qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. A general paramedic certificate or non-STEM health science degree typically does not. Your Designated School Official can confirm eligibility based on your exact program. Confirm this before accepting any position, since the extension significantly affects your long-term work authorization timeline.
What certifications do I need before starting a flight paramedic OPT job?
At minimum, most programs require National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Paramedic certification, state licensure where you'll be based, Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Many programs also require Certified Flight Paramedic credentialing within a set timeframe post-hire. Some operators add CFRN equivalency expectations. Confirm exact requirements with each employer during the interview process, since certification standards vary by state and program.
How does the 60-day OPT grace period affect flight paramedic job searching?
If your OPT employment ends, you enter a 60-day grace period during which you can remain in the U.S. but cannot work. Flight paramedic hiring is slower than most fields due to flight physicals, background checks, and training academies, so 60 days is a tight window. Having applications active before your current employment ends is strongly advisable. The grace period is for job searching, not for employment itself.
Do flight paramedic employers typically sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Some large air medical networks have sponsored H-1B petitions for paramedics, but it is not standard practice across the industry. Flight paramedic roles must qualify as specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or higher, which can be difficult to establish given the certificate-based nature of many EMS programs. Operators affiliated with hospital systems or larger healthcare networks tend to have more immigration infrastructure and are better candidates for sponsorship conversations.