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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Get Access To All JobsJob Summary: The Physicist PhD 1 provides leadership and supervision of clinical physics activities such as treatment planning, quality assurance, and treatment delivery; and improves the quality and safety of radiation treatments through research and development activities and provides education through formal and informal instruction. These services may be provided at LLUMC and LLUCH hospitals. Performs other duties as needed.
Education and Experience: Doctorate’s Degree in Physics, Medical Physics, or other related Biomedical Science required. Completion of a medical physics residency and eligibility to take the American Board of Radiology (ABR) certification examination required.
Knowledge and Skills: Knowledgeable in applying physics principles to the delivery of radiation therapy for cancer patients, including charged particle accelerators, x-ray production, and their clinical application; leading technical and clinical projects related to equipment and software implementation and upgrades; developing and maintaining clinical software to improve workflow efficiency, quality assurance, and treatment accuracy; treatment planning systems and site-specific external beam and brachytherapy techniques; radiation interactions with matter, dose deposition, and image formation; radiation dose calculations and measurements; quality management programs for radiation therapy and radiation protection; and oncology principles, patient anatomy, and radiobiology. Able to: read; write legibly; speak in English (and Spanish preferred) with professional quality; use computer and software programs necessary to the position; troubleshoot and calibrate patient care equipment. Relate and communicate positively, effectively, and professionally with others; be assertive and consistent in following and/or enforcing policies; work calmly and respond courteously when under pressure; lead, supervise, teach, and collaborate; accept direction. Think critically; work independently with minimal supervision; perform basic math functions; manage multiple assignments effectively; work well under pressure; problem solve; organize and prioritize workload; recall information with accuracy; pay close attention to detail. Distinguish colors and smells as necessary for patient care; hear sufficiently for general conversation in person and on the telephone; identify and distinguish various sounds associated with the work place/patient care; see adequately to read computer screens, medical records, and written documents necessary to position; discern temperature variances through touch.
Licensures and Certifications: Board eligible to be certified in therapeutic medical physics by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) or equivalent board. Board Certification by the American Board of Radiology within 7 years of hire date as physicist PhD1 required.
Job Summary: The Physicist PhD 1 provides leadership and supervision of clinical physics activities such as treatment planning, quality assurance, and treatment delivery; and improves the quality and safety of radiation treatments through research and development activities and provides education through formal and informal instruction. These services may be provided at LLUMC and LLUCH hospitals. Performs other duties as needed.
Education and Experience: Doctorate’s Degree in Physics, Medical Physics, or other related Biomedical Science required. Completion of a medical physics residency and eligibility to take the American Board of Radiology (ABR) certification examination required.
Knowledge and Skills: Knowledgeable in applying physics principles to the delivery of radiation therapy for cancer patients, including charged particle accelerators, x-ray production, and their clinical application; leading technical and clinical projects related to equipment and software implementation and upgrades; developing and maintaining clinical software to improve workflow efficiency, quality assurance, and treatment accuracy; treatment planning systems and site-specific external beam and brachytherapy techniques; radiation interactions with matter, dose deposition, and image formation; radiation dose calculations and measurements; quality management programs for radiation therapy and radiation protection; and oncology principles, patient anatomy, and radiobiology. Able to: read; write legibly; speak in English (and Spanish preferred) with professional quality; use computer and software programs necessary to the position; troubleshoot and calibrate patient care equipment. Relate and communicate positively, effectively, and professionally with others; be assertive and consistent in following and/or enforcing policies; work calmly and respond courteously when under pressure; lead, supervise, teach, and collaborate; accept direction. Think critically; work independently with minimal supervision; perform basic math functions; manage multiple assignments effectively; work well under pressure; problem solve; organize and prioritize workload; recall information with accuracy; pay close attention to detail. Distinguish colors and smells as necessary for patient care; hear sufficiently for general conversation in person and on the telephone; identify and distinguish various sounds associated with the work place/patient care; see adequately to read computer screens, medical records, and written documents necessary to position; discern temperature variances through touch.
Licensures and Certifications: Board eligible to be certified in therapeutic medical physics by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) or equivalent board. Board Certification by the American Board of Radiology within 7 years of hire date as physicist PhD1 required.
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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.