OPT Medical Assistant Jobs
Medical Assistant jobs on OPT are available across hospitals, private practices, and urgent care clinics. Most roles qualify under STEM-adjacent healthcare classifications, and many employers are familiar with F-1 work authorization. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies) gives you meaningful time to build clinical experience and find long-term sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsPOSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
General Duties: Under the direct supervision of the Medical Technologist/Clinical Laboratory Supervisor, the Medical Laboratory Technician, Clinical Laboratory Technician, and/or Certified Medical Assistant must be able to perform all of the clinical laboratory functions provided by a Community Health Center, and those requested by the ordering medical provider.
Specific Duties
- Works in harmony with other healthcare professionals, clinic staff and patients by exhibiting a positive attitude and a commitment to MCHC’s mission, vision, and values.
- Understand organizational goals and performs job duties in a manner consistent with these goals.
- Conducts routine CLIA-waived tests in the clinical laboratory for use in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and other health conditions.
- Collects specimen from patients.
- Cleans and sterilizes laboratory equipment.
- Keeps detailed and up-to-date records of all tests performed and reports findings to all persons authorized to receive such information.
- Promptly informs the Medical Technologist/Clinical Laboratory Supervisor, and/or Director of Laboratory Services, of any real and/or potential clinical or operational problem.
- Participates in departmental and organization-wide Performance Improvement activities.
- Participates in all staff educational and in-service training programs.
- Maintains an up-to-date stock of all laboratory supplies.
- Demonstrates knowledge of, and follows at all times, established Infection Control guidelines, OSHA standards, JCAHO standards, CLIA requirements, and MCHC safety-related policies and procedures.
- Demonstrates acceptable professional conduct, interpersonal and communications skills with patients, peers, and other healthcare professionals.
- Maintains a professional appearance and follows established dress code.
- Maintains patient and staff confidentiality.
- Demonstrates reliability and dependability in meeting work schedules, the fulfillment of responsibilities and commitments, in daily attendance, punctuality, productivity and efficiency.
- Maintains awareness of new information applicable to the position’s duties and responsibilities (e.g., policies, meeting minutes, procedures, memoranda, protocols, etc.).
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position requires compliance with Health Center’s compliance standards, including its Standards of Conduct, Compliance Program, and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element considered as part of the regular performance evaluation.
Physical Requirements:
The primary portion of work is in a well-lit, ventilated, and air-conditioned facility. It may require prolonged, extensive sitting/standing. Position may require stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling, and/or use of tactile information. The individual must be able to express ideas or exchange thoughts by means of talking, hearing, reading, and/or writing. The individual should have motor coordination, manual dexterity, finger dexterity, eye-hand-foot coordination. This position may include transporting objects, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
This position requires completion of a one-year Certificate program in Medical Lab Assistant or Physician Office Lab. Two years’ experience working in a clinical laboratory setting is preferred.
The ability to make color comparisons of tested fluids and materials against established standards is required, as is near-visual acuity to both read and prepare formulas for solutions and reagents, and the examination of test results.
Position Supervised by:
General clinical supervision will be provided by the MCHC Director of Laboratory Services; local on-site supervision will be provided by the Medical Technologist/Clinical Laboratory Supervisor.
Personnel Supervised by this position:
None
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
General Duties: Under the direct supervision of the Medical Technologist/Clinical Laboratory Supervisor, the Medical Laboratory Technician, Clinical Laboratory Technician, and/or Certified Medical Assistant must be able to perform all of the clinical laboratory functions provided by a Community Health Center, and those requested by the ordering medical provider.
Specific Duties
- Works in harmony with other healthcare professionals, clinic staff and patients by exhibiting a positive attitude and a commitment to MCHC’s mission, vision, and values.
- Understand organizational goals and performs job duties in a manner consistent with these goals.
- Conducts routine CLIA-waived tests in the clinical laboratory for use in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and other health conditions.
- Collects specimen from patients.
- Cleans and sterilizes laboratory equipment.
- Keeps detailed and up-to-date records of all tests performed and reports findings to all persons authorized to receive such information.
- Promptly informs the Medical Technologist/Clinical Laboratory Supervisor, and/or Director of Laboratory Services, of any real and/or potential clinical or operational problem.
- Participates in departmental and organization-wide Performance Improvement activities.
- Participates in all staff educational and in-service training programs.
- Maintains an up-to-date stock of all laboratory supplies.
- Demonstrates knowledge of, and follows at all times, established Infection Control guidelines, OSHA standards, JCAHO standards, CLIA requirements, and MCHC safety-related policies and procedures.
- Demonstrates acceptable professional conduct, interpersonal and communications skills with patients, peers, and other healthcare professionals.
- Maintains a professional appearance and follows established dress code.
- Maintains patient and staff confidentiality.
- Demonstrates reliability and dependability in meeting work schedules, the fulfillment of responsibilities and commitments, in daily attendance, punctuality, productivity and efficiency.
- Maintains awareness of new information applicable to the position’s duties and responsibilities (e.g., policies, meeting minutes, procedures, memoranda, protocols, etc.).
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position requires compliance with Health Center’s compliance standards, including its Standards of Conduct, Compliance Program, and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element considered as part of the regular performance evaluation.
Physical Requirements:
The primary portion of work is in a well-lit, ventilated, and air-conditioned facility. It may require prolonged, extensive sitting/standing. Position may require stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling, and/or use of tactile information. The individual must be able to express ideas or exchange thoughts by means of talking, hearing, reading, and/or writing. The individual should have motor coordination, manual dexterity, finger dexterity, eye-hand-foot coordination. This position may include transporting objects, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
This position requires completion of a one-year Certificate program in Medical Lab Assistant or Physician Office Lab. Two years’ experience working in a clinical laboratory setting is preferred.
The ability to make color comparisons of tested fluids and materials against established standards is required, as is near-visual acuity to both read and prepare formulas for solutions and reagents, and the examination of test results.
Position Supervised by:
General clinical supervision will be provided by the MCHC Director of Laboratory Services; local on-site supervision will be provided by the Medical Technologist/Clinical Laboratory Supervisor.
Personnel Supervised by this position:
None
See all 1,033+ OPT Medical Assistant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Medical Assistant
Target employers with a history of visa sponsorship
Large hospital systems and multi-location clinics are more likely to have HR infrastructure for sponsorship than solo practices. Search Migrate Mate to filter for Medical Assistant roles at employers who have sponsored visas before.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Medical Assistant programs vary. If your degree is in health informatics, clinical laboratory science, or a STEM-designated field, you may qualify for a 24-month extension. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before accepting a role.
Get certified before you apply
Holding a CMA (AAMA) or RMA credential signals clinical readiness and reduces employer hesitation around sponsoring international hires. Certified candidates are easier to sponsor because their qualifications are nationally standardized and clearly documented.
Be transparent about your OPT timeline upfront
Disclose your work authorization status and end date early in the hiring process. Employers who want to sponsor will ask about it anyway, and transparency avoids wasting time with employers who won't consider sponsorship at all.
Ask specifically about H-1B sponsorship during interviews
Many healthcare employers assume medical assistants aren't H-1B visa eligible because the role doesn't always require a bachelor's degree. Come prepared to explain your educational background and why your role qualifies as a specialty occupation.
Build relationships with physicians and office managers
Sponsorship decisions in smaller practices often come down to personal advocacy. A physician who values your work is far more likely to push HR toward sponsoring you than a hiring manager who only knows you from a resume.
Medical Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Medical Assistant on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Medical Assistant roles qualify for F-1 OPT as long as the position is directly related to your field of study. If your degree is in health sciences, medical assisting, or a related clinical field, you're eligible to work in this role during your OPT period. Confirm the connection with your DSO before accepting an offer.
Do Medical Assistant jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. Medical assisting degrees are not typically on the STEM OPT extension list, but degrees in health informatics, biomedical science, or clinical laboratory science may qualify. Check with your DSO to confirm whether your specific program is STEM-designated before assuming you're eligible for the 24-month extension.
Which employers sponsor Medical Assistants for H-1B visas?
Large hospital networks, federally qualified health centers, and multi-site clinic groups are the most likely to sponsor Medical Assistants for H-1B visas because they have dedicated HR and legal teams to manage the process. Solo practices and small clinics rarely have the infrastructure to sponsor. Browse Medical Assistant roles on Migrate Mate to find employers with a documented history of visa sponsorship.
Is Medical Assistant considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
This is the core challenge. USCIS requires that H-1B specialty occupations normally require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Many Medical Assistant roles require only an associate degree or certificate, which can make H-1B eligibility difficult. Roles that require a bachelor's in health sciences or a related field, and where the employer can document that requirement, have a stronger case.
What should I do if my OPT is expiring before I find a sponsoring employer?
If you're running out of time, prioritize roles at larger healthcare employers who have sponsored before and apply early. If you're eligible for a STEM extension, file before your OPT expires to maintain work authorization. If H-1B isn't viable for your role, discuss other options like TN visa (for Canadian or Mexican nationals) or O-1 visa with an immigration attorney before your status lapses.