OPT Laboratory Manager Jobs
Laboratory Manager roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related sciences. Most positions require hands-on lab experience, which aligns well with STEM OPT extensions. Your 12-month standard OPT window, extendable to 36 months under STEM OPT, gives employers a meaningful runway.
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NorDx
Professional - Nonclinical
Req #: 78631
Summary
Well qualified candidates with less than 2 years of experience are eligible to receive a $7,500.00 sign on bonus! While candidates with more than 2 years of experience are eligible to receive a $15,000 sign on bonus. This bonus will be prorated for Part Time or Per Diem positions. Relocation assistance and temporary housing if needed. Please note this bonus is not available to current MaineHealth employees or prior employees that have been separated for less than 6 months.
The Medical Laboratory Technician role is responsible for independently performing and monitoring laboratory testing of patient specimens and confirms, interprets, correlates, and reports normal and abnormal patient results and recognizes technical, instrumental and/or physiological problems and initiates resolutions. Responsible for accuracy, quality control and required instrument maintenance.
Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
- Education: Associate’s degree in Medical Laboratory Technology or a similar field required.
- License/Certifications: Certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician required within six months of hire by a recognized professional organization (e.g., ASCP, AMT)
- Experience: N/A
- Additional Skills/Requirements Required: May be asked to work at other sites/locations as needed.
- Additional Skills/Requirements Preferred: N/A
Additional Information
MaineHealth is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where care team members can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve across Maine and New Hampshire. We offer competitive benefits including paid parental leave, flexible work options, student loan assistance, professional development opportunities, and well-being resources—so you can grow your career while feeling supported both personally and professionally.
We recognize the value each team member brings to our organization. Any offer of employment will depend on qualifications such as skills, relevant experience, education, certifications, and other job-related factors. The base range is an estimate and does not reflect the full value of our total compensation package.
The pay range for this position is $27.27 to $36.88 per hour.
Compensation for part-time positions is determined on a prorated basis consistent with the scheduled hours and applicable full-time equivalent (FTE).
In addition to base pay, MaineHealth offers comprehensive benefits, recognition programs, career growth opportunities, and, where applicable, shift differentials or other incentives.
If you have questions about this role, please contact aarin.miles@mainehealth.org
Hiring Scam Alert
MaineHealth will never request financial information during the interview or pre-hiring process. All legitimate communications will come from an email address ending in @mainehealth.org. If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately to mhcareers@mainehealth.org.
Notice Regarding Maine Employer Surveillance Statute: Pursuant to Maine's Employer Surveillance Statute, prospective care team members are notified that MaineHealth may monitor, collect, record, review, or retain information related to the use of its systems, networks, applications, files, data, communications platforms (including notified recordings), smart badges, building access, company vehicle GPS data, business calls, and workplace security cameras.
Information collected may be used for legitimate business purposes, including security, safety, compliance, investigations, training, quality assurance, and operational management.
Description
NorDx
Professional - Nonclinical
Req #: 78631
Summary
Well qualified candidates with less than 2 years of experience are eligible to receive a $7,500.00 sign on bonus! While candidates with more than 2 years of experience are eligible to receive a $15,000 sign on bonus. This bonus will be prorated for Part Time or Per Diem positions. Relocation assistance and temporary housing if needed. Please note this bonus is not available to current MaineHealth employees or prior employees that have been separated for less than 6 months.
The Medical Laboratory Technician role is responsible for independently performing and monitoring laboratory testing of patient specimens and confirms, interprets, correlates, and reports normal and abnormal patient results and recognizes technical, instrumental and/or physiological problems and initiates resolutions. Responsible for accuracy, quality control and required instrument maintenance.
Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
- Education: Associate’s degree in Medical Laboratory Technology or a similar field required.
- License/Certifications: Certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician required within six months of hire by a recognized professional organization (e.g., ASCP, AMT)
- Experience: N/A
- Additional Skills/Requirements Required: May be asked to work at other sites/locations as needed.
- Additional Skills/Requirements Preferred: N/A
Additional Information
MaineHealth is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where care team members can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve across Maine and New Hampshire. We offer competitive benefits including paid parental leave, flexible work options, student loan assistance, professional development opportunities, and well-being resources—so you can grow your career while feeling supported both personally and professionally.
We recognize the value each team member brings to our organization. Any offer of employment will depend on qualifications such as skills, relevant experience, education, certifications, and other job-related factors. The base range is an estimate and does not reflect the full value of our total compensation package.
The pay range for this position is $27.27 to $36.88 per hour.
Compensation for part-time positions is determined on a prorated basis consistent with the scheduled hours and applicable full-time equivalent (FTE).
In addition to base pay, MaineHealth offers comprehensive benefits, recognition programs, career growth opportunities, and, where applicable, shift differentials or other incentives.
If you have questions about this role, please contact aarin.miles@mainehealth.org
Hiring Scam Alert
MaineHealth will never request financial information during the interview or pre-hiring process. All legitimate communications will come from an email address ending in @mainehealth.org. If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately to mhcareers@mainehealth.org.
Notice Regarding Maine Employer Surveillance Statute: Pursuant to Maine's Employer Surveillance Statute, prospective care team members are notified that MaineHealth may monitor, collect, record, review, or retain information related to the use of its systems, networks, applications, files, data, communications platforms (including notified recordings), smart badges, building access, company vehicle GPS data, business calls, and workplace security cameras.
Information collected may be used for legitimate business purposes, including security, safety, compliance, investigations, training, quality assurance, and operational management.
See all 1,574+ OPT Laboratory Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Laboratory Manager
Lead with your STEM OPT timeline upfront
Tell employers early that your STEM degree qualifies you for a 36-month OPT period. Many lab hiring managers don't know this distinction. Framing your authorization as a three-year window removes the common objection that OPT students are a short-term hire.
Highlight lab-specific technical credentials
Certifications in biosafety, chemical hygiene, or equipment calibration strengthen your application considerably. Employers hiring Laboratory Managers want proof of compliance knowledge, not just bench experience. List any safety training, SOPs you've authored, or audits you've supported directly on your resume.
Target research institutions and university labs
Academic and government research labs are experienced with OPT and CPT work authorization. They hire international students regularly and often have designated HR contacts who understand DSO reporting requirements, making the authorization conversation significantly smoother than with small private employers.
Show evidence of supervisory or coordination experience
Laboratory Manager roles require managing staff, budgets, and compliance, not just running experiments. Document any experience supervising lab assistants, ordering supplies, or coordinating between research teams. This differentiates you from candidates with strong technical skills but no operational background.
Understand your reporting obligations before interviews
OPT requires you to report employer changes to your DSO within 10 days. Know this process thoroughly so you can answer employer questions about your status confidently. Employers who are hesitant about OPT often relax when a candidate demonstrates they understand the compliance requirements.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship during the offer stage, not before
Raise the H-1B visa question after you have demonstrated your value through interviews. Laboratory Manager is a specialty occupation that qualifies for H-1B, so the pathway exists. Bringing it up too early can stall conversations before employers have seen what you bring to the role.
Laboratory Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Laboratory Manager role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your underlying degree, not the job title itself. If your degree is in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, or another STEM field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, and your Laboratory Manager role is directly related to that field, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your DSO must verify the connection between your degree and your job duties.
Can I work as a Laboratory Manager on standard 12-month OPT?
Yes. Laboratory Manager is a post-completion OPT-eligible position as long as the role is directly related to your degree field and you maintain valid OPT authorization throughout employment. You must report the employer to your DSO within 10 days of starting. If your degree qualifies as STEM, you can apply for the extension before your standard OPT expires to stay authorized longer.
Do Laboratory Manager employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Many do, particularly in pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, research hospitals, and university settings. Laboratory Manager meets the specialty occupation standard because the role typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific scientific field. Employers in regulated industries, such as those operating under FDA or EPA oversight, are generally more familiar with H-1B sponsorship than smaller private labs.
How do I find Laboratory Manager jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the best place to start. The platform is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers who are open to sponsoring or hiring international candidates. Searching there saves you from applying to positions where OPT status will immediately disqualify you, which is a common and time-consuming problem when using general job search platforms.
What happens to my OPT status if I'm between Laboratory Manager jobs?
You have a 90-day cumulative unemployment allowance during standard OPT, which is reduced to 60 days if you're on STEM OPT extension. Unemployment is tracked from your OPT start date, not from when you leave a job. If you exceed the limit, your OPT is automatically invalidated. Actively documenting your job search and maintaining contact with your DSO during any gap is essential.