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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INTRODUCTION
Join Our Life-Saving Team and take advantage of:
- Sign on bonus up to $50,000!
- $5,000 annual travel stipend for the 15/13 schedule!
- Company car available for transportation while on assignment!
Are you ready to elevate your career to new heights? PHI Health is looking for dynamic, driven individuals to join our team. We are committed to providing top-tier emergency medical services with unmatched speed and efficiency, saving lives when every second counts. By supporting our mission from the ground, you will play a crucial role in orchestrating the seamless operations that keep our advanced fleet soaring and our patients safe.
With PHI Health you’ll collaborate with the best minds in the industry, driving initiatives that enhance our services and expand our reach to those who need it most. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive on challenges, PHI Health offers an extraordinary opportunity to impact lives and develop your professional career in a meaningful way.
Who We Are:
PHI Health is the leading air ambulance provider in the United States. With an unmatched safety record and the best aviation, medical and communication specialists in the field, we set the standard in the air medical industry. We transport more than 22,000 patients each year from our more than 80 bases across the country, all while offering services and outreach education to local communities and leading healthcare systems. Our mission is simple: move communities to health while maintaining the highest standard of safety, period.
Job Summary:
- Performs a wide range of specialized functions and complex assessments, diagnoses, therapies and emergency treatment of patients transported by rotor-wing and/or fixed wing and/or ground.
- Documents appropriate and accurate information for assessment and treatment during stabilization and transport.
- Documents accurate and complete billing information of patient transports.
- Maintains and facilitates effective and timely communication between management, internal and external customers.
- Participates in activities to support PR and marketing efforts.
- Work 24-hour shifts with the possibility of a 24 on 24 off rotation.
- Maintains knowledge base for flight paramedic role by attending mandatory meetings, chart reviews, equipment reviews, skill labs, clinical rotations, and continuing education sessions related to the care and transport of critically ill and/or injured patients.
- Completes all annual recurrent competency requirements.
- Maintains an active Paramedic license and all certifications required by policy.
- Clinically functions under the direction of the program's Medical Director through medical protocols and procedures and online medical guidance. For clinical matters, reports directly to the program's Manager of Clinical Services and indirectly to the National Director of Clinical Standards.
- Responsible for knowledge of and performing within the regulations and scope of practice of the local Department of Health Services.
- May augment the Clinical Educator's role by assisting in education and be able to act as a preceptor/mentor for new employees.
- Ability to travel for an extended period of time (minimum of 1-week availability).
- Flexibility with scheduling needs based on new hire orientation process.
- Ability to enforce enterprise-level guidelines and policies while also adapting to regional specific requirements.
- Build relationships with regional management, customers, and new employees to gain trust and support.
- Effectively communicate with pre-hospital and hospital customers.
Schedule/Location:
- 7/7 or 15/13
Various locations - travel required
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Must have an active Paramedic license to practice in the states employed.
- Minimum of three years (five years preferred) of current Registered Nurse (RN) critical care/emergency experience.
- Minimum of one (1) years of PHI experience; 2 years preferred.
- Role model and high performing clinician.
- Current Clinical Field Training and or Check Clinician.
- Current BLS, ACLS, PALS/PEPP, and TNATC, TNCC, ITLS, or PHTLS. NRP preferred. Instructor certifications preferred.
- FP-C.
- Flight or transport experience.
- Must successfully complete the PHI Health Group education/orientation program.
- Effective human relations skills required for interfacing with all levels of personnel and external customers.
- Must meet and maintain clinical personnel weight restriction limit for flight according to policy.
- Must possess basic computer skills for e-mail, electronic charting, etc.
- Bachelor's degree in healthcare related field preferred.
- Ability to communicate verbally, effectively and clearly in person and by radio.
- Must be able to pass pre-placement physical exam including functional capacity exam (strength and flexibility assessment, lift 100 pounds) and drug screening.
OUR CORE COMPETENCIES
- Safe. We are absolute in our belief in the tenets of Destination Zero and that Zero is not only achievable, but the only acceptable outcome.
- Efficient. We are focused on outcomes that are smart and responsible by making the best use of our resources to maximize overall productivity and achieve sustainable profitability as a high performing organization.
- Quality. We are committed to ensuring excellent organizational performance which produces sustainable and reliable outcomes.
- Service. We are dedicated to the service of our customers, our communities and each other.
BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES
- Drive & Energy – The ability to maintain a fast pace and continue to produce during exhausting circumstances.
- Functional & Technical Expertise – Allows the individual to add organizational value through unique expertise and serve as a resource to the organization within his/her area of expertise.
- High Standards – Sets the stage for continuous improvements, the adoption of best practices and ultimately influences organizational standards.
- Initiative – Takes a proactive approach and takes action without being prompted.
- Integrity – Acts ethically and honestly and applies those standards of behavior to daily work activities.
THE PHI HEALTH ADVANTAGE
For more than 40 years, our company has been providing critical air medical transport services across the country. As an organization, we outfit each aircraft we fly with the most advanced technology, subject our crews to the most rigorous protocols and training and pioneer the most-forward thinking safety program in the country.
Everything that we do comes back to the safety of our crew and our patients. Our accident rate is well below the national average and we were the first to receive the Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award. This belief has guided us towards a number of industry firsts and has given us the highest safety rating in the industry.
Duplicate - Up to $50,000 sign on
DISCLAIMER
The above Statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
PHI, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
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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.