OPT Headache Specialist Jobs
Headache Specialist jobs on OPT require a medical degree and typically fall under neurology or pain medicine. Most roles are hospital-based or clinic-based positions with H-1B visa sponsorship available through academic medical centers. Your 12-month OPT window, or 36 months on STEM OPT extension, determines your hiring timeline.
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Get Access To All JobsDescription
Job Summary
The position is primarily a clinical position related to the diagnosis, treatment and clinical management of pediatric patients in a multidisciplinary environment that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, clinical scientists and social workers. The position offers exposure to a mix of general and high acuity pediatric patients. The position also includes teaching and supervision of medical residents and provides opportunities to participate in research and publishing.
Job Specific Duties
- Applies knowledge of growth and development in customer interactions and treatment.
- Continues to actively self-educate (i.e., reading journals, CME credits, NCH conferences, etc.).
- Coordinates and/or develops and delivers monthly in-services to meet staff and resident development needs.
- Coordinates follow-up of tests, lab studies, and patient follow-up phone calls.
- Directly provides clinical services to patients including, but not limited to: performing and recording history and physical examinations, recording and interpreting pertinent patient data, developing and documenting a treatment plan, writing routine orders for appropriate laboratory studies, x-rays and consultations, performing patient/parent teaching, assisting with patient follow-up, performing appropriate screenings, administering medications as required, ordering and/or performing therapeutic and diagnostic procedures as indicated by patient findings.
- Makes suggestions to Department Director and/or attending staff that may be beneficial to the improvement of the department.
- Participates in Performance Improvement, Research and Publishing.
- Participates in teaching of and is role model to medical students and residents.
- Participates in the call schedule as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Job Requirements
- Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) from an accredited medical school
- Current state medical license and in good standing with medical board
- American Heart Association BLS - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Exceptional clinical, research and teaching skills and have a commitment to academic pediatrics.
- Able to relate cooperatively and constructively with patients, families and co-workers.
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
- Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Ability to interpret, adapt, and react calmly under stressful conditions.
- Ability to problem solve to formulate a plan of care and evaluate the patient's response to care.
- Ability to interpret, adapt and react calmly under stressful conditions.
As required under the directive of House Bill 531 (2025) we are providing the link below to the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website.
https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Job
Physician
Department
NCPS-NEUROLOGY-3100-440750
Job Status
Full Time
Description
Job Summary
The position is primarily a clinical position related to the diagnosis, treatment and clinical management of pediatric patients in a multidisciplinary environment that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, clinical scientists and social workers. The position offers exposure to a mix of general and high acuity pediatric patients. The position also includes teaching and supervision of medical residents and provides opportunities to participate in research and publishing.
Job Specific Duties
- Applies knowledge of growth and development in customer interactions and treatment.
- Continues to actively self-educate (i.e., reading journals, CME credits, NCH conferences, etc.).
- Coordinates and/or develops and delivers monthly in-services to meet staff and resident development needs.
- Coordinates follow-up of tests, lab studies, and patient follow-up phone calls.
- Directly provides clinical services to patients including, but not limited to: performing and recording history and physical examinations, recording and interpreting pertinent patient data, developing and documenting a treatment plan, writing routine orders for appropriate laboratory studies, x-rays and consultations, performing patient/parent teaching, assisting with patient follow-up, performing appropriate screenings, administering medications as required, ordering and/or performing therapeutic and diagnostic procedures as indicated by patient findings.
- Makes suggestions to Department Director and/or attending staff that may be beneficial to the improvement of the department.
- Participates in Performance Improvement, Research and Publishing.
- Participates in teaching of and is role model to medical students and residents.
- Participates in the call schedule as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Job Requirements
- Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) from an accredited medical school
- Current state medical license and in good standing with medical board
- American Heart Association BLS - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Exceptional clinical, research and teaching skills and have a commitment to academic pediatrics.
- Able to relate cooperatively and constructively with patients, families and co-workers.
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
- Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Ability to interpret, adapt, and react calmly under stressful conditions.
- Ability to problem solve to formulate a plan of care and evaluate the patient's response to care.
- Ability to interpret, adapt and react calmly under stressful conditions.
As required under the directive of House Bill 531 (2025) we are providing the link below to the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website.
https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Job
Physician
Department
NCPS-NEUROLOGY-3100-440750
Job Status
Full Time
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Headache Specialist
Target academic medical centers first
Academic medical centers like Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and Cleveland Clinic have established H-1B visa sponsorship pipelines for physicians. They hire headache specialists regularly and have in-house immigration counsel familiar with sponsoring international medical graduates on OPT.
Align your OPT start date with hiring cycles
Hospital neurology and headache clinic hiring cycles typically peak in late fall and early spring. Apply three to four months before your intended start date so your OPT authorization is active when the position begins and paperwork clears.
Confirm your role qualifies as a specialty occupation
Headache Specialist positions require a medical degree in neurology or a related specialty, satisfying USCIS specialty occupation criteria. Confirm the job description explicitly states degree requirements so your employer's H-1B petition is on solid ground from the start.
Ask about J-1 waiver pathways during interviews
Many international medical graduates on OPT previously held J-1 visas. If that applies to you, ask prospective employers about Conrad 30 waiver sponsorship, which satisfies the two-year home residency requirement and can run concurrently with H-1B sponsorship discussions.
Document your fellowship or residency as OPT-qualifying training
If your headache specialist role follows a fellowship, confirm with your Designated School Official that the position is directly related to your degree program. Misalignment between your OPT authorization category and the role can create complications during H-1B transition.
Prioritize employers with cap-exempt H-1B status
Hospitals affiliated with universities and nonprofit research institutions are often cap-exempt, meaning they can file H-1B petitions year-round without waiting for the annual lottery. This significantly reduces your risk of losing status after OPT expires.
Headache Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Headache Specialist on OPT?
Yes, if your medical degree is directly related to the role. Headache Specialist positions in neurology or pain medicine qualify under OPT because they require the specialized degree you earned in the U.S. You must ensure your job is authorized under your OPT category and that your Employment Authorization Document is valid before your start date.
Do Headache Specialist employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Academic medical centers, hospital systems, and neurology group practices regularly sponsor H-1B visas for headache specialists. Sponsorship is most common at institutions with dedicated immigration support teams. To find employers actively hiring OPT candidates in this specialty, browse Migrate Mate, which filters for roles open to international candidates.
Does a Headache Specialist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree. If your qualifying U.S. degree is in a STEM-designated field, such as biomedical science or a related clinical science program, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you 36 months total. Pure clinical MD programs are typically not on the STEM OPT designated degree list, so confirm with your DSO.
What happens to my OPT status if I complete a fellowship before starting as a Headache Specialist?
Fellowship training can count toward your OPT period if it is authorized under your current OPT. The challenge is timing: OPT is tied to a specific degree, so if your fellowship follows a new degree program, you may be eligible for a fresh OPT authorization. Work with your DSO well in advance to map the transition without gaps in work authorization.
Is the Headache Specialist field competitive for OPT candidates compared to other medical specialties?
Headache medicine is a subspecialty with a relatively small pool of qualified candidates, which works in your favor. Demand at headache clinics and academic neurology departments often exceeds supply. That said, employers still need time to initiate H-1B sponsorship, so applying early in your OPT window and being transparent about your authorization timeline is essential.