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 JobsFair Haven Community Health Care
For over 54 years, FHCHC has been an innovative and vibrant community health center, catering to multiple generations with over 165,000 office visits across 21 locations. Guided by a Board of Directors, most of whom are patients themselves, we take pride in being a healthcare leader dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable medical and dental care to everyone, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Our extensive range of primary and specialty care services, along with evidence-based programs, empowers patients to make informed choices about their health. As we expand our reach to underserved areas, our commitment to prioritizing patient needs remains unwavering. FHCHC's mission is to enhance the health and social well-being of the communities we serve through equitable, high-quality, and culturally responsive patient-centered care.
Job purpose
The Lead Medical Assistant serves as the clinical and operational subject matter expert for Medical Assistants, partnering with clinicians and nursing leadership to promote standardized practice and support the delivery of high quality, cost effective, patient centered care that is consistent with Fair Haven Community Health Center's mission, values, and policies.
Duties and responsibilities
Reporting to the Nurse Manager the Lead Medical Assistant will promote a positive team culture through respectful communication and maintain clinical competency and serve as an example of best practice. Typical duties include but are not limited to:
- Provide direct patient care while assigned to a clinician and perform all Medical Assistant duties in accordance with organizational policies and standing orders.
- Model efficient rooming, documentation, specimen collection, and patient flow.
- Serve as the clinical subject matter expert for Medical Assistant workflows.
- Act as the primary resource for workflow questions and operational guidance.
- Partner with Nurse Managers to reinforce standardized workflows.
- Provide real time coaching and mentoring.
- Assist with implementation of clinical initiatives and workflow changes.
- Support interviewing and onboarding when requested.
- Lead departmental orientation for newly hired Medical Assistants and provide competency validation and ongoing education.
- Serve as the designated preceptor for Medical Assistant students and new hires and partner with the Nurse Educator to identify educational opportunities.
- Monitor adherence to established workflows and policies.
- Participate in quality audits and process improvement projects.
- Identify workflow barriers and recommend solutions.
- Promote infection prevention, patient safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Support readiness for regulatory and accreditation surveys.
- Partner with clinicians, nursing leadership, operations, and ancillary departments to align people strategies with clinical and operational priorities, fostering collaboration, workforce effectiveness, employee engagement and high-quality patient care outcomes.
- Participate in pod huddles, department meetings, and organizational initiatives.
- Performs other duties as assigned to support departmental operations and organizational priorities.
Qualifications
Three (3) or more years of Medical Assistant experience with a Medical Assistant program (diploma) from an accredited school or be certified as a medical assistant. Basic Life Support Certification is required.
What we offer:
- A sign on bonus of $3000.00
- Major medical, dental and vision
- Voluntary benefits (AFLAC plan, STD, LTD & Life Insurance)
- Paid Holidays
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Tuition reimbursement
- And much more…
American with Disabilities Requirements:
External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job specific responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case by case basis.
Fair Haven Community Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FHCHC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
Fair Haven Community Health Care
For over 54 years, FHCHC has been an innovative and vibrant community health center, catering to multiple generations with over 165,000 office visits across 21 locations. Guided by a Board of Directors, most of whom are patients themselves, we take pride in being a healthcare leader dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable medical and dental care to everyone, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Our extensive range of primary and specialty care services, along with evidence-based programs, empowers patients to make informed choices about their health. As we expand our reach to underserved areas, our commitment to prioritizing patient needs remains unwavering. FHCHC's mission is to enhance the health and social well-being of the communities we serve through equitable, high-quality, and culturally responsive patient-centered care.
Job purpose
The Lead Medical Assistant serves as the clinical and operational subject matter expert for Medical Assistants, partnering with clinicians and nursing leadership to promote standardized practice and support the delivery of high quality, cost effective, patient centered care that is consistent with Fair Haven Community Health Center's mission, values, and policies.
Duties and responsibilities
Reporting to the Nurse Manager the Lead Medical Assistant will promote a positive team culture through respectful communication and maintain clinical competency and serve as an example of best practice. Typical duties include but are not limited to:
- Provide direct patient care while assigned to a clinician and perform all Medical Assistant duties in accordance with organizational policies and standing orders.
- Model efficient rooming, documentation, specimen collection, and patient flow.
- Serve as the clinical subject matter expert for Medical Assistant workflows.
- Act as the primary resource for workflow questions and operational guidance.
- Partner with Nurse Managers to reinforce standardized workflows.
- Provide real time coaching and mentoring.
- Assist with implementation of clinical initiatives and workflow changes.
- Support interviewing and onboarding when requested.
- Lead departmental orientation for newly hired Medical Assistants and provide competency validation and ongoing education.
- Serve as the designated preceptor for Medical Assistant students and new hires and partner with the Nurse Educator to identify educational opportunities.
- Monitor adherence to established workflows and policies.
- Participate in quality audits and process improvement projects.
- Identify workflow barriers and recommend solutions.
- Promote infection prevention, patient safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Support readiness for regulatory and accreditation surveys.
- Partner with clinicians, nursing leadership, operations, and ancillary departments to align people strategies with clinical and operational priorities, fostering collaboration, workforce effectiveness, employee engagement and high-quality patient care outcomes.
- Participate in pod huddles, department meetings, and organizational initiatives.
- Performs other duties as assigned to support departmental operations and organizational priorities.
Qualifications
Three (3) or more years of Medical Assistant experience with a Medical Assistant program (diploma) from an accredited school or be certified as a medical assistant. Basic Life Support Certification is required.
What we offer:
- A sign on bonus of $3000.00
- Major medical, dental and vision
- Voluntary benefits (AFLAC plan, STD, LTD & Life Insurance)
- Paid Holidays
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Tuition reimbursement
- And much more…
American with Disabilities Requirements:
External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job specific responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case by case basis.
Fair Haven Community Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FHCHC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
See all 1,409+ OPT Medical Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Medical Assistant Jobs.
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.