OPT Health Physicist Jobs
Health Physicist jobs on OPT are common in federal labs, hospitals, and nuclear facilities, employers that regularly sponsor F-1 candidates. Most roles require a degree in health physics, nuclear engineering, or a related field. STEM OPT extension applies, giving you up to three years of work authorization.
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Employment Status:
Full time
Shift:
Day (United States of America)
Facility:
2013 S Jefferson St - Roanoke
Requisition Number:
R159888 Junior Proton Physicist - days (Open)
How You’ll Help Transform Healthcare:
Up to $30,000 new hire sign on bonus and up to $7,000 in relocation assistance is available:
Carilion Clinic currently seeks a medical physicist to support proton therapy in its new, state-of-the-art Cancer Center. Upon completion, the Taubman Cancer Center, rising on the Roanoke VA campus, will house 3 Varian TrueBeam LINACs, a CyberKnife, an HDR unit, a new Siemens CTSim, as well as a Mevion 250i proton therapy unit. The expectation for this role is solely rooted in proton therapy as the program ramps up, with integration into the larger therapy department likely over time.
The clinic is currently in the early stages of assessment and budgeting for all associated proton therapy RTP, QA, and treatment device needs. We would like to fill this position quickly so that new hires can play an active role in the adoption of proton therapy.
The candidates will join a Physics Department team consisting of 6 physicists (therapy and diagnostic), 3 dosimetrists, 2 physics assistants and a LINAC engineer. Besides supporting the Radiation Oncology Department and the three associated physicians, the Physics Department is actively involved in Y90 infusions, GammaTile implants and a theranostics program which has recently adopted voxel based dosimetry, as well as leading radiation safety throughout the 7 hospital system.
Applicants are invited to come be part of something big happening in the Roanoke Valley. The new Cancer Center is scheduled to open its doors for patient treatments beginning in January of 2028, with proton therapy to arrive soon afterwards. Roanoke is a mid-sized metropolitan area nestled in Virginia's Blue Ridge mountains. Cost of living is more favorable than many other areas of the country and it truly is a great place to raise a family. Outdoor recreation abounds and other entertainment options such as minor league sports, music festivals and various cultural events are plentiful.
The Radiologic Physicist
- Conducts radiation safety and performance surveys of radiation-producing equipment used in diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiation oncology.
- Performs quality control testing and supports quality assurance programs for radiation-producing and radiation-measuring equipment.
- Provides medical physics services required by regulatory and accrediting agencies, including NRC, Joint Commission, and applicable state and federal entities.
- Supports clinical radiological physics needs across Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Oncology.
- Participates in departmental development initiatives, research, and quality improvement projects as assigned.
- Provides education and in-service training in radiation safety and medical physics concepts to clinical and technical staff as requested.
- Maintains accurate documentation of physics activities, testing results, and compliance records.
- Supports departmental initiatives related to radiation safety, clinical quality, and regulatory compliance.
What We Require:
Education: Master’s degree in Medical Physics, Radiological Physics, or a closely related field required.
Experience: none.
Licensure, Certification, and/or Registration: Certification by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) in Diagnostic Medical Physics, Therapeutic Medical Physics, or Nuclear Medical Physics must be obtained within five 5 years of hire.
Life Support: N/A
Other Minimum Qualifications: Requires the ability to apply medical physics principles to support radiation safety, equipment performance, and clinical quality across diagnostic, therapeutic, and nuclear medicine environments. Must possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to exercise sound professional judgment, and effective verbal and written communication skills to collaborate with multidisciplinary clinical teams. Ability to work independently within established guidelines while maintaining confidentiality required.
This job description is only meant to be a representative summary of the major responsibilities and accountabilities performed by incumbents. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.
Compensation Range:
$158,100.80 - $252,969.60
Employee pay is based on a variety of factors, including qualifications, credentials, education, and prior work experience. The compensation range does not include benefits or pension plan.
Recruiter:
JASON BISHOP
Recruiter Email:
jabishop1@carilionclinic.org
For more information, contact the HR Service Center at 1-800-599-2537.
Carilion Clinic is an Equal Opportunity Employer: We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, or veterans status. Carilion is a Drug-Free Workplace. For more information or for individuals with disabilities needing special assistance with our online application process contact Carilion HR Service Center at 800-599-2537, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For more information on E-Verify: https://www.carilionclinic.org/eoe-e-verify-and-right-work-policies
Benefits, Pay and Well-being at Carilion Clinic
Carilion understands the importance of prioritizing your well-being to help you develop and thrive. That’s why we offer a well-rounded benefits package, and many perks and well-being resources to help you live a happy, healthy life – at work and when you’re away.
When you make your tomorrow with us, we’ll enhance your potential to realize the best in yourself. Below are benefits available to you when you join Carilion:
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, & Vision Benefits
- Employer Funded Pension Plan, vested after five years (Voluntary 403B)
- Paid Time Off (accrued from day one)
- Onsite fitness studios and discounts to our Carilion Wellness centers
- Access to our health and wellness app, Personify Health
- Discounts on childcare
- Continued education and training
See all 98+ OPT Health Physicist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Health Physicist
Target STEM-designated programs
Health physics degrees from programs designated as STEM qualify you for the 24-month OPT extension. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying, since this directly affects how long you can work without an H-1B visa.
Focus on federal labs and government contractors
National laboratories like Oak Ridge, Argonne, and Lawrence Berkeley regularly hire health physicists and have established OPT sponsorship pipelines. Government contractors supporting DOE or NRC sites are similarly experienced with F-1 work authorization requirements.
Obtain your NRC Agreement State license early
Many health physicist roles require state radiation control licensure. Starting the application process before your OPT begins prevents authorization gaps, since some states take two to four months to process licensure for new applicants.
Highlight radiation safety certifications
The Certified Health Physicist credential from the American Board of Health Physics strengthens your application significantly. Employers sponsoring OPT candidates want confidence in your technical qualifications, and certification signals that before the interview starts.
Apply to hospital health physics programs directly
Large academic medical centers and hospital systems hire medical health physicists and are generally comfortable with OPT authorization. Apply directly through hospital careers portals rather than waiting for job fairs, where OPT candidates often face more friction.
Communicate your OPT timeline proactively
Employers in highly regulated environments appreciate candidates who explain their status clearly. State your current OPT end date, STEM extension eligibility, and E-Verify enrollment capability upfront so hiring managers can assess timelines without uncertainty slowing the process.
Health Physicist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Health Physicist on OPT?
Yes, as long as your position is directly related to your degree field. Health physics, nuclear engineering, radiological science, and closely related degrees all map cleanly to health physicist roles. Your DSO must authorize OPT and your employment must begin within the authorized period shown on your EAD card.
Does a Health Physicist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title. Degrees in health physics, nuclear engineering, and radiological science typically qualify. If your program is STEM-designated and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, you can apply for the 24-month extension, giving you up to three years of total OPT authorization.
Do Health Physicist employers typically sponsor OPT students?
Federal laboratories, NRC-regulated facilities, nuclear power operators, and large hospital systems are the most OPT-friendly employers in this field. They hire health physicists regularly and have HR infrastructure to handle F-1 work authorization. Smaller private firms may be less familiar with OPT requirements. Migrate Mate filters specifically for OPT-sponsoring employers so you can focus your search there.
Are there security clearance issues for OPT students in health physics roles?
Some health physicist positions at federal facilities require a security clearance, which F-1 visa holders are generally not eligible for. This does not bar you from the field entirely. Many roles at NRC-regulated hospitals, academic medical centers, and agreement state programs do not require clearance, and those positions are accessible on OPT without restriction.
What happens to my Health Physicist job if my OPT expires before H-1B approval?
If your H-1B petition is filed before your OPT expires and a timely filed cap-gap applies, you can continue working through September 30 of that fiscal year. Confirm with your DSO and employer's immigration counsel well before your EAD expiration date, since a gap in authorization requires you to stop working until status is reinstated.