OPT Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs are available to F-1 OPT students with a degree in clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or a related biomedical field. Most positions qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Hospitals, reference labs, and public health agencies regularly hire MLS graduates on OPT.
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Since the doors opened more than 59 years ago, UF Health Leesburg Hospital has continued to build upon its reputation as a leading medical center and the most comprehensive provider of health care services in the region. The hospital offers advanced cardiovascular care, including one of the largest open-heart programs in Florida. The American College of Cardiology has recognized UF Health Leesburg Hospital for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain by awarding a Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primacy PCI and Resuscitation — its highest and best level of accreditation. The hospital also offers world-class orthopedics, minimally invasive robotic surgery, life-saving emergency care, stroke treatment, labor & delivery, and so much more.
Responsibilities:
In this role the Medical Laboratory Scientist Lead will perform the following job duties:
- Perform a wide range of laboratory procedures within assigned clinical areas in accordance with licensure/certification requirements.
- Lead and coordinate assigned laboratory processes, workflow, or designated shifts to ensure efficient daily operations.
- Oversee quality control activities and support performance improvement initiatives to maintain compliance and laboratory excellence.
- Train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to new laboratory staff and team members.
- Troubleshoot complex technical, operational, and customer service issues while serving as a resource for coworkers and clinicians.
- Assist with laboratory equipment maintenance, validation, troubleshooting, and computer system upgrades.
- Develop, review, and update laboratory policies, procedures, and standard operating protocols.
- Perform analytical testing of blood and other human biological specimens with a high level of technical accuracy and expertise.
- Ensure accurate interpretation, verification, and reporting of laboratory results across all clinical laboratory disciplines.
- Complete pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical testing processes according to department and campus-specific requirements.
- Adhere to all laboratory policies, regulatory standards, and quality assurance practices.
- Foster strong working relationships with physicians, nursing staff, laboratory personnel, and other hospital departments to support exceptional patient care.
- Collaborate with Laboratory Leadership to maintain departmental operations, regulatory compliance, and continuous process improvement.
- Deliver outstanding customer service while promoting a respectful, collaborative, and professional work environment.
- Perform additional leadership and technical responsibilities as assigned to support departmental goals and operational needs.
SCHEDULE
FTE: 1.0
Hours: 9:00pm-7:30am
Days: Variable
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Required Degree: Associate's degree
Preferred Degree: Bachelor's degree
LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION
State of Florida Laboratory Personnel (TC or TN) license in all areas
SPECIAL SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/ADDITIONAL TRAINING/EXPERIENCE
Required: 2 years with Bachelor’s degree or 4 years with Associate’s degree. Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Required: Technical skills and aptitudes related to the laboratory testing, procedures and processes performed in department or work area assigned. Follows and ensures adherence of staff to all rules and regulations of all applicable local, state, and federal agencies and accrediting bodies; always protects confidentiality of patient information and results.
Overview:
Since the doors opened more than 59 years ago, UF Health Leesburg Hospital has continued to build upon its reputation as a leading medical center and the most comprehensive provider of health care services in the region. The hospital offers advanced cardiovascular care, including one of the largest open-heart programs in Florida. The American College of Cardiology has recognized UF Health Leesburg Hospital for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain by awarding a Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primacy PCI and Resuscitation — its highest and best level of accreditation. The hospital also offers world-class orthopedics, minimally invasive robotic surgery, life-saving emergency care, stroke treatment, labor & delivery, and so much more.
Responsibilities:
In this role the Medical Laboratory Scientist Lead will perform the following job duties:
- Perform a wide range of laboratory procedures within assigned clinical areas in accordance with licensure/certification requirements.
- Lead and coordinate assigned laboratory processes, workflow, or designated shifts to ensure efficient daily operations.
- Oversee quality control activities and support performance improvement initiatives to maintain compliance and laboratory excellence.
- Train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to new laboratory staff and team members.
- Troubleshoot complex technical, operational, and customer service issues while serving as a resource for coworkers and clinicians.
- Assist with laboratory equipment maintenance, validation, troubleshooting, and computer system upgrades.
- Develop, review, and update laboratory policies, procedures, and standard operating protocols.
- Perform analytical testing of blood and other human biological specimens with a high level of technical accuracy and expertise.
- Ensure accurate interpretation, verification, and reporting of laboratory results across all clinical laboratory disciplines.
- Complete pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical testing processes according to department and campus-specific requirements.
- Adhere to all laboratory policies, regulatory standards, and quality assurance practices.
- Foster strong working relationships with physicians, nursing staff, laboratory personnel, and other hospital departments to support exceptional patient care.
- Collaborate with Laboratory Leadership to maintain departmental operations, regulatory compliance, and continuous process improvement.
- Deliver outstanding customer service while promoting a respectful, collaborative, and professional work environment.
- Perform additional leadership and technical responsibilities as assigned to support departmental goals and operational needs.
SCHEDULE
FTE: 1.0
Hours: 9:00pm-7:30am
Days: Variable
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Required Degree: Associate's degree
Preferred Degree: Bachelor's degree
LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION
State of Florida Laboratory Personnel (TC or TN) license in all areas
SPECIAL SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/ADDITIONAL TRAINING/EXPERIENCE
Required: 2 years with Bachelor’s degree or 4 years with Associate’s degree. Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Required: Technical skills and aptitudes related to the laboratory testing, procedures and processes performed in department or work area assigned. Follows and ensures adherence of staff to all rules and regulations of all applicable local, state, and federal agencies and accrediting bodies; always protects confidentiality of patient information and results.
See all 849+ OPT Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Medical Laboratory Scientist
Target STEM OPT-eligible employers first
Hospitals, hospital networks, and large reference laboratories like Quest and LabCorp are enrolled E-Verify employers. Confirm E-Verify enrollment before applying so your 24-month STEM OPT extension is actually usable from day one.
Lead with your ASCP certification status
MLS(ASCP) certification signals clinical competency to hiring managers and satisfies many state licensure requirements. If you're board-eligible but not yet certified, say so explicitly. Employers know new graduates often sit for boards after starting.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Lab hiring cycles can run 6 to 10 weeks. Tell recruiters your OPT start date and remaining authorized period early. This prevents late-stage rejections from employers who misunderstand how post-completion OPT timelines work.
Apply to teaching hospitals and academic medical centers
Academic medical centers affiliated with universities often have established international hiring pipelines and HR teams familiar with OPT and H-1B visa sponsorship. They are more likely to retain high-performing OPT employees after authorization expires.
Highlight specialty rotations that match the job posting
Microbiology, hematology, and molecular diagnostics are high-demand specialties. Match your clinical rotation experience directly to the department listed in the posting. Specificity outperforms a generic list of laboratory competencies in competitive applicant pools.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship before accepting an offer
Raise H-1B sponsorship during the offer stage, not after you start. Ask whether the employer has sponsored MLS roles before. A yes with prior experience is a stronger signal than a general willingness to consider it in the future.
Medical Laboratory Scientist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Medical Laboratory Scientist role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Medical Laboratory Scientist positions typically fall under CIP codes in clinical laboratory science, which is a STEM-designated field. That means you're eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond your initial 12 months, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before filing the extension.
Do I need a state license to work as an MLS on OPT?
It depends on the state. About half of U.S. states require a clinical laboratory scientist license to work independently, including California, Florida, and New York. Licensing requirements are separate from OPT authorization. You can often start working while your license application is pending, but verify this with your employer and state licensing board before your start date.
How can I find Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by sponsorship willingness, so you're not wasting applications on employers who won't work with OPT. Search for Medical Laboratory Scientist roles directly on Migrate Mate to find positions at hospitals, reference labs, and public health organizations that are open to OPT candidates.
Will employers sponsor me for an H-1B after my OPT ends?
Many hospital systems and large reference laboratories have sponsored MLS professionals for H-1B visas, particularly in high-demand specialties like microbiology and molecular diagnostics. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and depends on the employer's size, HR infrastructure, and your performance. The best time to confirm a potential employer's H-1B track record is during the offer negotiation stage, not after you start.
Can I work in multiple laboratory departments on OPT, or am I restricted to one specialty?
OPT authorizes you to work in your field of study broadly, not in a single department or specialty. A Medical Laboratory Scientist on OPT can rotate through chemistry, hematology, microbiology, and other sections without violating work authorization, as long as the role aligns with your degree. However, your EAD must be valid and you must be employed in a role that directly relates to your program of study.