OPT Medical Technologist Jobs
Medical Technologist jobs on OPT are a strong fit for F-1 students with degrees in medical laboratory science, clinical laboratory science, or a related STEM field. Most roles qualify for the standard 12-month OPT period, and STEM OPT extension is available for graduates from accredited programs in qualifying disciplines.
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Location: UF Health Jacksonville Hospital
655 8th St W, Jacksonville, FL 32209
Schedule: Monday - Friday | 2:30pm - 11:00pm
Employment Type: Full-Time
Join UF Health and be part of a team committed to exceptional patient care, innovation, and community impact. We are currently seeking a passionate individual who is eager to make a difference in a dynamic healthcare environment.
Responsible for processing and preparation of various sample types. Perform specialized and complex technical tasks required for flow cytometric and molecular pathology testing and analysis. Monitor quality control with documentation of QC, daily work and diagnostic results. Maintain laboratory equipment and supplies, troubleshoot issues with equipment and specimens to resolution. Provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
Responsibilities:
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Process and prepare specimens for flow cytometry and molecular pathology testing. Receive and accession specimens. Isolate cells from various sources and prep for flow cytometry tests. Isolate DNA from tissue, blood and bone marrow and quantitate. Attend specified bone marrow collections to assure proper handling and to provide assessment of specimen quality. (20%)
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Operate complex laboratory analyzers in addition to smaller lab equipment. Perform and document maintenance as assigned. Document and troubleshoot equipment problems to resolution, which may require working with vendor technical support staff. (20%)
-
Maintain reagents and supplies for each analyzer and test method. Request additional supplies as needed to maintain inventory. (10%)
-
Gather and analyze data from the tests performed. Report test results, in conjunction with the case pathologist as indicated. Document notes regarding the specimen or testing which may be pertinent to the results. (10%)
-
Perform and document Quality Control, following the procedures for each test platform. Analyze results and verify acceptability before releasing patient results. Report issues identified during review of quality control that may affect patient testing to a supervisor. Maintain records of daily work, including specimen logs, worksheets, quality control and patient results. (15%)
-
Perform the procedures for testing in flow cytometry, including setups with antibodies and running tests on the analyzer. Perform molecular pathology tests including, but not limited to; PCR, RFLP, Real-time PCR, DNA capillary sequencing, pyrosequencing and FISH assays. Run additional miscellaneous tests as performed by the department. (20%)
-
Provide clinical instruction, assist in testing and evaluation of MLS students. Assist in training new employees. (5%)
-
All other duties as assigned by supervisor within job scope.
Qualifications
Required Education: Associate's degree
New hires effective October 1, 2022, must have a Bachelor's degree. Current employees who were hired or transferred into the position prior to October 1, 2022 will be grandfathered.
Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree
Required Licensure/Certifications:
- Florida State Technologist or Supervisor License in Hematology PLUS one or more of the following: Molecular Pathology, Histocompatibility, Microbiology, Serology/Immunology, Clinical Chemistry or Immunohematology.
- If Florida licensure is pending, the applicant may begin training in non-technical that do not require an active Florida license.
- Employees who meet CMS/CLIA requirements to perform molecular pathology must obtain or upgrade a current Florida license to the appropriate specialty. A six-month grace period is permitted to obtain the required specialty license.
Preferred Licensure/Certifications: National Certification (ASCP), ABHI, AAB, or AMT
Required Experience: Less than one-year experience may be accepted for recent graduates of the Jacksonville MLS program. -OR- 1-2 years related experience.
Preferred Experience: Over 2 years of related experience
Necessary Skills:
- Knowledge of principles, methods, material and techniques of flow cytometry, molecular pathology or hematology.
- Ability to perform assigned tasks according to the prescribed procedures and to recognize abnormal results that might affect the outcome of the diagnosis.
- Ability to initiate the research, performance and documentation of new procedures under the direction of the assigned Pathologist.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and organize work flow.
- Possess excellent decision making skills.
- Must be detail oriented.
- Ability to present oneself in a polite and professional manner with visitors, patients, physicians and other employees.
- Must be able to handle stressful situations in a professional manner.
Age of Patients Served: All Age Groups
Overview:
Location: UF Health Jacksonville Hospital
655 8th St W, Jacksonville, FL 32209
Schedule: Monday - Friday | 2:30pm - 11:00pm
Employment Type: Full-Time
Join UF Health and be part of a team committed to exceptional patient care, innovation, and community impact. We are currently seeking a passionate individual who is eager to make a difference in a dynamic healthcare environment.
Responsible for processing and preparation of various sample types. Perform specialized and complex technical tasks required for flow cytometric and molecular pathology testing and analysis. Monitor quality control with documentation of QC, daily work and diagnostic results. Maintain laboratory equipment and supplies, troubleshoot issues with equipment and specimens to resolution. Provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
Responsibilities:
-
Process and prepare specimens for flow cytometry and molecular pathology testing. Receive and accession specimens. Isolate cells from various sources and prep for flow cytometry tests. Isolate DNA from tissue, blood and bone marrow and quantitate. Attend specified bone marrow collections to assure proper handling and to provide assessment of specimen quality. (20%)
-
Operate complex laboratory analyzers in addition to smaller lab equipment. Perform and document maintenance as assigned. Document and troubleshoot equipment problems to resolution, which may require working with vendor technical support staff. (20%)
-
Maintain reagents and supplies for each analyzer and test method. Request additional supplies as needed to maintain inventory. (10%)
-
Gather and analyze data from the tests performed. Report test results, in conjunction with the case pathologist as indicated. Document notes regarding the specimen or testing which may be pertinent to the results. (10%)
-
Perform and document Quality Control, following the procedures for each test platform. Analyze results and verify acceptability before releasing patient results. Report issues identified during review of quality control that may affect patient testing to a supervisor. Maintain records of daily work, including specimen logs, worksheets, quality control and patient results. (15%)
-
Perform the procedures for testing in flow cytometry, including setups with antibodies and running tests on the analyzer. Perform molecular pathology tests including, but not limited to; PCR, RFLP, Real-time PCR, DNA capillary sequencing, pyrosequencing and FISH assays. Run additional miscellaneous tests as performed by the department. (20%)
-
Provide clinical instruction, assist in testing and evaluation of MLS students. Assist in training new employees. (5%)
-
All other duties as assigned by supervisor within job scope.
Qualifications
Required Education: Associate's degree
New hires effective October 1, 2022, must have a Bachelor's degree. Current employees who were hired or transferred into the position prior to October 1, 2022 will be grandfathered.
Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree
Required Licensure/Certifications:
- Florida State Technologist or Supervisor License in Hematology PLUS one or more of the following: Molecular Pathology, Histocompatibility, Microbiology, Serology/Immunology, Clinical Chemistry or Immunohematology.
- If Florida licensure is pending, the applicant may begin training in non-technical that do not require an active Florida license.
- Employees who meet CMS/CLIA requirements to perform molecular pathology must obtain or upgrade a current Florida license to the appropriate specialty. A six-month grace period is permitted to obtain the required specialty license.
Preferred Licensure/Certifications: National Certification (ASCP), ABHI, AAB, or AMT
Required Experience: Less than one-year experience may be accepted for recent graduates of the Jacksonville MLS program. -OR- 1-2 years related experience.
Preferred Experience: Over 2 years of related experience
Necessary Skills:
- Knowledge of principles, methods, material and techniques of flow cytometry, molecular pathology or hematology.
- Ability to perform assigned tasks according to the prescribed procedures and to recognize abnormal results that might affect the outcome of the diagnosis.
- Ability to initiate the research, performance and documentation of new procedures under the direction of the assigned Pathologist.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and organize work flow.
- Possess excellent decision making skills.
- Must be detail oriented.
- Ability to present oneself in a polite and professional manner with visitors, patients, physicians and other employees.
- Must be able to handle stressful situations in a professional manner.
Age of Patients Served: All Age Groups
See all 273+ OPT Medical Technologist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Medical Technologist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Medical Technologist
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Medical laboratory science and clinical laboratory science degrees typically appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. Verify your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying, since the designation determines whether you're eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Target hospital systems and reference labs first
Large hospital networks and independent reference laboratories hire medical technologists at scale and are more likely to have established OPT and H-1B visa sponsorship processes than small private clinics, which often lack the HR infrastructure to support international candidates.
Prioritize ASCP or AMT certification before you apply
Most employers require ASCP Board of Certification or AMT credentials. Earning your certification while on post-completion OPT strengthens your application significantly and signals readiness to work immediately, reducing the employer's hesitation about your visa timeline.
Address your OPT timeline upfront in interviews
Be transparent about your OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility early in the hiring process. Employers unfamiliar with OPT often assume the authorization period is shorter than it is, so explaining the 12-plus-24-month structure removes a common barrier to moving forward.
Focus your search on states with high lab employment density
States like California, Texas, New York, and Florida employ the largest numbers of medical technologists. Concentrating your search in these markets improves your odds of finding employers with prior experience sponsoring international candidates in clinical laboratory roles.
Use your clinical rotations as a direct hiring pipeline
Many medical technologists receive job offers from the hospitals or labs where they completed clinical training. If your rotation site had a positive experience working with you, they already understand your qualifications and are a more likely sponsoring employer than a cold application.
Medical Technologist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Medical Technologist role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not your job title. If your degree in medical laboratory science, clinical laboratory science, or a closely related field appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program list and your job involves direct application of that STEM knowledge, you should qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying.
Do Medical Technologist jobs typically lead to H-1B sponsorship?
Medical technologist roles generally qualify as H-1B specialty occupations because the position typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as medical laboratory science. Large hospital systems and national reference labs are the most likely sponsors. Smaller outpatient clinics and private practices often lack H-1B sponsorship experience, so targeting larger employers improves your odds.
Where can I find Medical Technologist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by sponsorship willingness, so you can browse medical technologist openings from employers already familiar with OPT work authorization. This saves time compared to applying broadly and then discovering an employer won't work with international candidates.
Is ASCP certification required to work as a Medical Technologist on OPT?
Most hospital and reference lab employers require or strongly prefer ASCP Board of Certification credentials before extending an offer. Some states also require licensure as a condition of employment, separate from ASCP certification. Completing your certification before your OPT start date removes a common obstacle and makes you immediately eligible to work in most states.
Can I work at multiple labs part-time on OPT as a Medical Technologist?
Yes, OPT allows multiple concurrent employers as long as each position is directly related to your degree and you work at least 20 hours per week in total across all positions. Each employer must be in the clinical laboratory or related field. Your DSO does not need to approve each employer, but your employment must remain in your authorized field of study.