OPT Geriatric Psychiatrist Jobs
Geriatric psychiatrist roles are among the most OPT-friendly physician positions in the U.S., with consistent demand across hospital systems, VA facilities, and academic medical centers. Most employers in this specialty are large institutions already familiar with J-1 visa and H-1B visa sponsorship, making OPT authorization a straightforward conversation for qualified candidates.
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INTRODUCTION
Harbor Health Services is an innovative, growing, mission-based organization that lives, serves and collaborates with our community members to achieve our mission to help individuals reach their full potential through access to local, affordable services that promote health. Harbor provides medical, behavioral health, dental, and support services to more than 34,000 patients in Boston, the South Shore, and Cape Cod.
Harbor Health operates two Programs for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in Mattapan and Brockton, providing comprehensive healthcare, transportation and social services for more than 500 frail elders (with ongoing enrollment) who continue to live with dignity and independence in the community. To help further the mission of Harbor, we are looking for a talented Geriatric Nurse Practitioner to join our Clinical Team in Mattapan. We offer a comprehensive Benefits package including Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, up to $2500 in CME funds plus paid leave, reimbursement for license fees, generous Paid Time Off (PTO) plus 11 additional paid holidays and much more! Come join our great Elder Service Plan team!
ROLE:
The Geriatric Nurse Practitioner provides primary care services to Elder Service Plan-PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) participants in collaboration with the PACE physician. The Nurse Practitioner manages acute and chronic illnesses; provides routine preventative and health management services; and makes appropriate referrals for medical and non-medical conditions; and collaborates with the PACE interdisciplinary team. Position is based at the Elder Service Plan (ESP), 1135 Morton Street in Mattapan, MA.
Key elements of PACE model of care include:
- Our Interdisciplinary Team manages the care of our frail elders and supports each other and the Elder Service Plan participants in achieving care goals in small patient panels (75 patients).
- Participants attend our center for Adult Day Health activities as well as receive on-site clinical care including primary care, behavioral health and rehabilitation.
- Our Nurse Practitioners follow our elders throughout all locations of care including sub-acute, long-term and home care settings; regular home visits are encouraged, and time is allotted for this effort.
Responsibilities:
- Provides primary care to PACE participants in collaboration with the PACE physician at the ESP site in Mattapan location, affiliated sites and in the participant's home as needed.
- Conducts health assessments and evaluates patient needs at the PACE center, assisted living facility, skilled nursing facility or participant’s home.
- Participates in the development of a comprehensive plan of care for each participant.
- Participates in an on-call system with other providers to ensure 24-hour access to care for our participants.
- Participates in provider staff meetings, departmental meetings, general staff meetings, trainings, interdisciplinary team meetings and quality improvement activities.
- Makes appropriate, cost efficient referral decisions and refers primarily to contracted specialists; provides guidance and monitoring of systems necessary for the function of a capitated care program.
- Updates Electronic Medical Record (EMR) appropriately using proper coding and documents care accordingly; accurately and timely documents care in the medical record with progress notes, lab follow-ups, communications with participants; maintains a current problem list, medication flow sheet, immunization record and other appropriate information.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- MSN in Geriatric Nursing or related specialty field
- Current MA RN/NP license with current certification as a Nurse Practitioner; MCSR, DEA and current BLS (Basic Life Support for Health Care Provider) Certification
- 2 or more years of experience working with a frail or elderly population preferred, minimum of 1 year required
- Strong clinical, interpersonal and organizational skills
- Experience in working with an Interdisciplinary Team (IDT)
- Strong clinical, leadership, interpersonal and organizational skills
- Experience in the development and implementation of geriatric programs
- Familiarity with medications preferred, knowledge of community resources preferred
- Must be able to travel in a timely manner to ESP sites, patient's homes and affiliated sites as needed.
EEO STATEMENT
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
COMPENSATION
The minimum starting salary for this position is $124,800 annualized.
The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement.
When determining actual base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g. location, years of relevant experience, education, training, and other factors as permissible by law). As such, most offers will not be at the top of the salary range.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Geriatric Psychiatrist
Target institutions with existing immigration infrastructure
Large hospital systems, VA medical centers, and academic medical schools routinely sponsor physicians. These employers have dedicated HR and legal teams familiar with OPT work authorization, making the process significantly smoother than approaching independent or small practices.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront with recruiters
Geriatric psychiatry hiring cycles run long. Be transparent about your OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility early. Employers need lead time to initiate H-1B visa sponsorship before your authorization lapses, especially in competitive recruitment markets.
Leverage cap-exempt H-1B sponsorship pathways
Many geriatric psychiatrist roles are at hospitals and universities that qualify as cap-exempt H-1B sponsors. This means your employer can file an H-1B petition outside the annual lottery, giving you a more reliable path beyond your OPT period.
Highlight ACGME-accredited fellowship training in applications
Completing a geriatric psychiatry fellowship signals serious commitment to the subspecialty. Employers investing in immigration sponsorship want long-term hires. Fellowship credentials reduce perceived hiring risk and strengthen the case for sponsoring your visa status.
Understand STEM OPT eligibility based on your degree
If your qualifying U.S. degree is in a STEM-designated field, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your Classification of Instructional Programs code with your DSO, as this significantly extends your authorized work period.
Engage physician-specific recruiters who understand immigration
General recruiters often mishandle OPT conversations. Seek out physician placement specialists experienced with international medical graduates. They understand licensing timelines, USMLE requirements, and can advocate for sponsorship with institutional employers on your behalf.
Geriatric Psychiatrist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a geriatric psychiatrist on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes, for the duration of your OPT authorization, you can work without your employer filing any immigration petition on your behalf. OPT is granted by USCIS and authorized through your EAD card. However, to continue working beyond your OPT period, you will need your employer to sponsor you for an H-1B or another nonimmigrant status before your EAD expires.
Are geriatric psychiatrist employers generally willing to sponsor OPT-to-H-1B transitions?
Yes. Geriatric psychiatry faces a well-documented physician shortage, which makes employers strongly motivated to retain qualified candidates regardless of immigration status. Large hospital systems, VA facilities, and academic medical centers regularly sponsor physicians for H-1B status and are accustomed to managing the process. Independent private practices are less predictable. Filtering employers by sponsorship history before applying saves significant time.
Where can I find geriatric psychiatrist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and international students and filters job listings by visa sponsorship willingness. Searching there surfaces geriatric psychiatrist roles at institutions already open to candidates on OPT or requiring H-1B sponsorship, which saves you from applying to positions where your work authorization will be an obstacle from the start.
Does my geriatric psychiatry fellowship count toward STEM OPT extension eligibility?
STEM OPT eligibility is tied to your qualifying U.S. degree, not your fellowship training. If your underlying degree, such as an M.D. or Ph.D., was earned from a U.S. institution under a STEM-designated CIP code, you may qualify for the 24-month extension. Confirm with your Designated School Official, as medical degrees do not automatically qualify under all institutional classifications.
Can I start a geriatric psychiatrist role before my EAD card physically arrives?
No. You must have your Employment Authorization Document in hand before beginning work. USCIS processing times for EAD cards can run 3 to 5 months from the date your OPT application is filed. Apply as early as 90 days before your program end date to avoid a gap between graduation and your authorized start date.