OPT Health Educator Jobs
Health Educator roles qualify for OPT work authorization when the position requires a degree in public health, health education, community health, or a closely related field. STEM OPT extension is not available for this role. Standard OPT gives you 12 months, so employer fit and timeline matter from day one.
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INTRODUCTION
For more than 55 years, Family Health Centers of San Diego’s (FHCSD) mission has been to provide caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low-income and medically underserved persons.
FHCSD is one of the top 10 largest federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the country. We operate more than 90 sites across San Diego County, including 29 primary care clinics, 23 behavioral health facilities, 10 physical rehabilitation clinics, nine dental clinics, five vision clinics, four outpatient substance use treatment programs, three mobile medical units, two mobile counseling centers, two urgent care centers, and a pharmacy.
Our staff provides care to over 227,000 patients each year, of whom 91% are low-income and 29% are uninsured. FHCSD provides care to all. Services include, but are not limited to adult care, chronic disease management, pediatrics, comprehensive women’s care including obstetrics, dental, vision, case management, physical rehabilitation, speech therapy for children, vaccinations, infectious diseases, behavioral health, substance use counseling and a host of specialty services including cardiology, podiatry, endocrinology, dermatology, among others. FHCSD also offers supportive services to those who are unsheltered and in need of intensive case management.
The breadth of our clinic locations, services and programs has grown over the last five decades, making us the largest community clinic provider of health care to the uninsured in the county and one of the top 10 largest community clinic organizations in the nation. We are also the largest health care safety-net provider, largest school-based health care provider and the largest mental health provider in the San Diego region.
Family Health Centers of San Diego is looking for a Nutritionist Health Educator. You will provide individual nutrition assessments, education, and care plans for our patients. You participate in and support individual, family, and group nutrition/chronic disease education services by creating culturally and linguistically appropriate curriculum, planning programs, delivering education, and evaluating effectiveness. You have a passion for community health promotion, for serving the medically undeserved, and you understand—and can easily communicate—how nutrition drives patient health and outcomes. This is a Grant-Funded position.
Responsibilities:
- Actively keeps knowledge up-to-date by attending in-services, conferences, and seeking ongoing educational opportunities. Continually seeks self-growth opportunities.
- Actively participates in and contributes to Health Education/project staff meetings, projects and other activities.
- Completes all required documentation accurately, in a timely manner, and thoroughly in accordance with department standards.
- Conducts nutrition/health education assessments, establishes individual care plans, and uses medical data to determine health risks and needs of patients. Ensures maximum utilization of schedules by proactively managing visits, including scheduling follow-up appointments, calling no-shows, working with recall technicians, PSRs, and Case managers.
- Individually and/or with the nutrition team, plans, creates, and develops nutrition and health education topic outlines and curriculums, incorporating various learning techniques and formats (i.e., group discussion, lectures, role-play, etc.). Reviews and assists in determining the linguistic and cultural appropriateness of materials, teaching aids, activities, methods, strategies, programs, etc. Review the efficacy of materials and programs and provides positive, action-oriented feedback. Assists with the translation and/or revisions of translated materials as appropriate.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Provides group classes on nutrition/health education topics, ensuring correct material is delivered in culturally appropriate and relevant ways.
REQUIREMENTS
- 3 years of experience in nutrition and/or chronic disease education or closely related field.
- Bachelor's degree in Foods & Nutrition, Health Science, Nutritional Science, or closely related field required.
- Lactation Educator or Specialist training certificate preferred.
- Traveling between sites and other locations is occasionally required. Must have a valid California driver’s license, an automobile, and proof of minimum levels of car insurance as required under California law, although limits of $100,000 are recommended. An acceptable driving record is also required. California law requires all drivers to obtain a valid California driver’s license within ten days of establishing residency. Reasonable accommodation may be provided on a case-by-case basis. Mileage and other reimbursement governed by policy.
- Bilingual in Spanish/English required.
- A minimum of six months of experience conducting health related community outreach to individuals and groups in a manner equivalent with target population education.
- A minimum of six months of experience conducting culturally competent outreach and education on health-related topics to individuals and groups in the Spanish language.
- A minimum of six months of experience collaborating with community agencies on health-related projects.
- Maintain current working knowledge of childhood lead poisoning prevention as demonstrated by completing the orientation checklist provided by the County of San Diego and able to demonstrate capability and understanding with the Count of San Diego CLPPP staff.
REWARDS:
- Job type: Part Time 32 hours/week
- Location: 1809 National Ave San Diego, CA 92113
- Competitive Salary with Excellent Benefits
- Retirement Plan with Employer Match
- Paid Time Off, Extended Sick Leave and Paid Holidays
- Medical/Dental/Vision/FSA/Life Insurance
- Employee Discounts and Wellness Programs
The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to community medicine and providing culturally competent care to the medically underserved.
We are excited to share that the salary range for this position is:
$27.00 - 33.47
Information on our extensive benefits package can be found here: FHCSD Wellness – Employee Hub (gobenefits.net)
FHCSD 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, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Health Educator
Lead with your degree field, not just your title
OPT authorization depends on your job being directly related to your degree. Frame your application around your public health or health education credentials explicitly. Employers unfamiliar with OPT need to see that connection clearly stated upfront.
Target employers with existing OPT or visa experience
Hospitals, county health departments, and nonprofits with international staff are more likely to understand OPT paperwork. First-time OPT employers can slow hiring significantly. Prioritize organizations that have hired international students before.
Clarify OPT requires no employer sponsorship cost
Many hiring managers assume international students require expensive visa sponsorship. OPT is employer-friendly: no filing fees, no lottery, and minimal administrative burden. Address this misconception early to prevent automatic screening.
Apply at least 90 days before your program end date
USCIS OPT applications can take 3 to 5 months to process. If you wait until graduation to apply, you risk a gap between your program end date and your Employment Authorization Document arrival. Start early.
Highlight community outreach and program development experience
Health Educator roles in government and nonprofit settings value demonstrated experience designing and delivering health programs. Internships, practicums, and CPT work all count. Quantify reach where possible, such as number of participants served.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly Health Educator openings
Generic job boards do not filter for OPT compatibility. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 students and surfaces Health Educator roles from employers open to OPT candidates, saving you time spent on positions that will not work.
Health Educator OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Health Educator job qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, if your degree is in public health, health education, community health, or a closely related field, a Health Educator role qualifies for OPT. The job must be directly related to your major. Roles at hospitals, nonprofits, government agencies, and universities routinely meet this standard.
Can Health Educators get a STEM OPT extension?
No. Health Education is classified under CIP code 51.2207, which is not on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. This means you are limited to the standard 12-month OPT period. Planning your job search and timeline around that 12-month window is critical, especially if you intend to pursue H-1B visa sponsorship afterward.
Do employers need to pay fees or file paperwork to hire me on OPT?
No employer fees or government filings are required during the OPT period itself. Your employer simply verifies your Employment Authorization Document and completes the standard I-9 process. This makes OPT significantly less burdensome than H-1B sponsorship, which involves attorney fees and USCIS filing costs.
How do I find Health Educator jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Most general job boards do not indicate whether an employer is willing to hire international students on OPT. Migrate Mate is designed specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Health Educator roles from employers already open to work authorization situations, reducing wasted applications on positions that screen out OPT candidates.
What happens to my OPT if I lose my Health Educator job?
You have a cumulative 90-day unemployment allowance during your OPT period. If you are unemployed for more than 90 days total, you fall out of status. Report any job changes to your DSO promptly, and document your job search activity. Finding a new qualifying role before hitting that limit is essential.