OPT Neurosurgeon Jobs
Neurosurgeon roles on OPT are rare but possible, typically requiring ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship training that itself counts as authorized OPT employment. Your 12-month OPT clock starts at graduation, so most F-1 students pursue residency match pathways rather than direct attending positions. STEM OPT extension does not apply to MD programs.
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MaineHealth Neurosurgery & Spine is currently seeking a BC/BE, fellowship-trained Endovascular Neurosurgeon to join our team-based practice. The ideal candidate has a strong background in general neurosurgery in addition to advanced endovascular training. A clinical focus on cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, including both elective and emergent interventions, is ideal. As an attending physician at MaineHealth Neurosurgery & Spine, research is encouraged and supported as interests develop.
The Position:
- Join a dynamic, high-volume practice with a strong clinical focus on cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, including aneurysms, AVMs, stroke intervention, and complex vascular pathology. Supporting other services to include tumor and skull base surgery, functional neurosurgery, complex spine, and pediatric neurosurgery.
- Work alongside nine neurosurgeons, including cerebrovascular and spine specialists, and a multidisciplinary team of physiatrists, osteopaths, advanced practice providers, physical therapists, and nurses.
- 24/7 in-house coverage provided by Advanced Practice Professionals.
- Shared call responsibilities: 1:3 endovascular call, 1:8 neurosurgery call.
- Ready access to CT, MRI, and advanced angiographic capabilities 24/7.
- Dedicated Neurocritical Care team provides 24/7 coverage at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland.
- MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland is licensed for 700 beds and is Maine’s largest medical center.
- Home to Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, Maine’s only dedicated children’s hospital—a 116-bed tertiary care pediatric facility.
- The hospital is Maine’s only ACS-verified Level I Trauma Center.
- Neurosurgery & Spine is part of the Neuroscience Service Line, a regional center of excellence in neurosciences.
Desired Qualifications:
- Board Certified or Board Eligible by the American Board of Neurological Surgery.
- Completion of an ACGME-accredited Endovascular Neurosurgery Fellowship.
- Strong foundation in general neurosurgery.
- Collaborative, team-oriented mindset.
- Ideally 4-10 years out of residency, but recent graduates will be considered.
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.” MaineHealth consists of nine local health systems, a comprehensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and 1,700 employed clinicians working together through the MaineHealth Medical Group. With approximately 22,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth offers a Total Rewards package that includes comprehensive and competitive benefits, along with programs and resources to meet the diverse needs of our workforce.
To learn more about our system, please visit www.mainehealth.org and our benefits page.
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.
Description
MaineHealth Neurosurgery & Spine is currently seeking a BC/BE, fellowship-trained Endovascular Neurosurgeon to join our team-based practice. The ideal candidate has a strong background in general neurosurgery in addition to advanced endovascular training. A clinical focus on cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, including both elective and emergent interventions, is ideal. As an attending physician at MaineHealth Neurosurgery & Spine, research is encouraged and supported as interests develop.
The Position:
- Join a dynamic, high-volume practice with a strong clinical focus on cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, including aneurysms, AVMs, stroke intervention, and complex vascular pathology. Supporting other services to include tumor and skull base surgery, functional neurosurgery, complex spine, and pediatric neurosurgery.
- Work alongside nine neurosurgeons, including cerebrovascular and spine specialists, and a multidisciplinary team of physiatrists, osteopaths, advanced practice providers, physical therapists, and nurses.
- 24/7 in-house coverage provided by Advanced Practice Professionals.
- Shared call responsibilities: 1:3 endovascular call, 1:8 neurosurgery call.
- Ready access to CT, MRI, and advanced angiographic capabilities 24/7.
- Dedicated Neurocritical Care team provides 24/7 coverage at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland.
- MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland is licensed for 700 beds and is Maine’s largest medical center.
- Home to Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, Maine’s only dedicated children’s hospital—a 116-bed tertiary care pediatric facility.
- The hospital is Maine’s only ACS-verified Level I Trauma Center.
- Neurosurgery & Spine is part of the Neuroscience Service Line, a regional center of excellence in neurosciences.
Desired Qualifications:
- Board Certified or Board Eligible by the American Board of Neurological Surgery.
- Completion of an ACGME-accredited Endovascular Neurosurgery Fellowship.
- Strong foundation in general neurosurgery.
- Collaborative, team-oriented mindset.
- Ideally 4-10 years out of residency, but recent graduates will be considered.
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.” MaineHealth consists of nine local health systems, a comprehensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and 1,700 employed clinicians working together through the MaineHealth Medical Group. With approximately 22,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth offers a Total Rewards package that includes comprehensive and competitive benefits, along with programs and resources to meet the diverse needs of our workforce.
To learn more about our system, please visit www.mainehealth.org and our benefits page.
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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Neurosurgeon
Understand how residency fits your OPT timeline
ACGME-accredited neurosurgery residency programs qualify as OPT-authorized employment. Matching into a residency program is the most realistic path for F-1 graduates, but you must ensure your OPT start date aligns with the July program start.
Apply for OPT well before Match Day
USCIS recommends filing your OPT application 90 days before your intended start date. Neurosurgery Match results come in February, so file early to avoid gaps between Match Day and your residency program start in July.
Confirm your program is ACGME-accredited
Only training at ACGME-accredited institutions qualifies as valid OPT employment for F-1 students. Before accepting any neurosurgery residency or fellowship offer, verify accreditation status directly with your DSO and the program coordinator.
Coordinate with your DSO immediately after matching
Your Designated School Official must authorize your OPT and update your SEVIS record. After matching, notify your DSO at once with your employer details, start date, and job title so your employment authorization reflects the correct program.
Plan for H-1B sponsorship before OPT ends
Neurosurgery residency runs seven or more years, likely outlasting your OPT authorization. Speak with your program's GME office early about H-1B visa cap-exempt sponsorship through the hospital, which most academic medical centers can provide for trainees.
Document all employment accurately for SEVIS compliance
F-1 OPT requires you to report your employer name, address, and start date to your DSO within 10 days of beginning work. For neurosurgery roles, report each rotation site if your program involves multiple affiliated hospitals or clinical settings.
Neurosurgeon OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can an F-1 OPT student work as a neurosurgeon in the United States?
F-1 OPT students cannot work as attending neurosurgeons directly after graduation because neurosurgery requires completing a seven-year ACGME-accredited residency first. Most F-1 medical graduates use OPT to cover the early portion of residency training, which counts as authorized OPT employment. You'll need additional visa sponsorship before residency ends.
Does neurosurgery residency count as valid OPT employment?
Yes. Training at an ACGME-accredited neurosurgery residency program qualifies as OPT-authorized employment for F-1 students. Your position must be directly related to your field of study, and your DSO must have your employer information on file in SEVIS. Confirm accreditation status with your program before your start date.
Is there a STEM OPT extension available for medical school graduates?
No. The STEM OPT 24-month extension applies only to graduates of STEM-designated degree programs. MD and DO programs are not on the STEM designation list, so medical school graduates are limited to the standard 12-month OPT period. Planning your visa transition to H-1B or J-1 visa early is critical.
How do I find neurosurgery training programs that support F-1 OPT students?
Most large academic medical centers and university-affiliated hospitals are familiar with sponsoring international trainees on OPT or J-1 exchange visitor status. You can browse employer opportunities and sponsorship-friendly positions on Migrate Mate, which focuses specifically on roles open to F-1 OPT holders. Always confirm visa support with the GME office before accepting.
What happens to my OPT status if my neurosurgery residency match is delayed or I go unmatched?
If you go unmatched or your start is delayed, you must report any unemployment period to your DSO. F-1 OPT allows a cumulative 90-day unemployment limit. An unmatched cycle can put you at risk of exceeding that limit and falling out of status. Explore alternative OPT-eligible clinical or research roles while you reapply.