OPT Nurse Anesthetist Jobs
Nurse Anesthetist jobs on OPT require employer sponsorship for work authorization, and CRNA roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa standards. Most hiring happens through hospitals and anesthesia groups. STEM OPT extension does not apply to this field, so your 12-month clock starts on your OPT start date.
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INTRODUCTION
M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital seeks a Casual Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) to work as part of the team to oversee line operations of the Anesthesia department.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- We have over 30 Operating rooms and perform over 23,000 cases annually.
- We provide all surgical services except for transplants and surgical peds.
- The CRNAs work very independently while collaborating with Anesthesiologists.
- Opportunity to work with student nurse anesthetists (SRNAs).
- Fully integrated Electronic Medical Record (EPIC).
- As a Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO), our providers use a multidisciplinary team approach in managing clinical care.
- As a non-profit organization, Fairview qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A qualified candidate will be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing and formal Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist training program.
- Must have a current Minnesota RN license and be board certified or eligible from the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
INCOME DETAILS
- Market competitive salary.
- Flat Rate / $158.25 Hourly
LOCATION
Edina, Minnesota is conveniently located at the crossroads of several major highways in the growing and vibrant Southwest suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Less than 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, Edina has grown from a village of mostly Scottish and Irish immigrants to a metropolitan community. Nationally recognized for K-12 education, high standards of living and quality of life, Edina offers exceptional, upscale dining and shopping experiences, recreational opportunities—including 39 parks and several golf courses—and diversions for every taste and lifestyle.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Nurse Anesthetist
Target hospital systems with established visa programs
Large hospital networks and academic medical centers are far more likely to have immigration counsel on retainer and prior experience sponsoring CRNAs. Search for facilities that have filed H-1B visa LCAs for anesthesia roles in OFLC disclosure data.
Start your job search at least six months before OPT expires
H-1B cap registration opens in March for an October 1 start date. If your OPT expires before October, you need an employer who can bridge the gap or file cap-exempt through a qualifying nonprofit or university affiliate.
Clarify your NCLEX and state licensure status early
Employers will not begin sponsorship paperwork until you hold an active RN and CRNA license in the state where you'll practice. Confirm your licensure timeline upfront so it doesn't delay the employer's H-1B filing window.
Ask specifically about cap-exempt H-1B pathways
Teaching hospitals affiliated with universities and nonprofit research institutions can file H-1B petitions year-round without the lottery. These settings often have CRNA openings and a clearer route to maintained status during your OPT period.
Document your nursing degree's equivalency to U.S. standards
If your nursing degree is from outside the U.S., obtain a credential evaluation from a NACES-approved agency before interviews. Employers filing specialty occupation petitions need proof your degree meets the required field-specific credential standard.
Negotiate your start date around your OPT authorization window
You cannot begin work before your OPT start date, even if you have an offer. Build this into your negotiations. A start date that aligns with your EAD approval date avoids unauthorized employment and protects your future H-1B eligibility.
Nurse Anesthetist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Nurse Anesthetist jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes. Nurse Anesthetist, or CRNA, positions qualify as specialty occupations because they require at least a master's degree in nurse anesthesia from an accredited program. Your F-1 OPT EAD authorizes you to work in the field directly related to your degree, which CRNA roles satisfy. Note that this field does not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, so you have a 12-month authorization window.
Can I work as a CRNA on OPT while my employer files for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, as long as your OPT EAD is valid and your employer files the H-1B petition before your status expires. If your OPT end date falls before October 1 and the H-1B is cap-subject, your employer may need to explore a cap-exempt hospital affiliation or file a Change of Status petition to bridge the gap. Confirm the timeline with an immigration attorney early in the process.
What type of employers sponsor CRNAs on OPT and H-1B?
Academic medical centers, large regional hospital systems, and anesthesia staffing groups affiliated with nonprofits are the most common sponsors for CRNAs. Teaching hospitals connected to universities are especially valuable because they qualify as cap-exempt H-1B filers, meaning they can petition year-round without the lottery. You can browse CRNA roles at OPT-friendly employers on Migrate Mate.
Does my nurse anesthesia degree from a foreign country affect OPT eligibility?
OPT eligibility is based on your U.S. degree program, not your foreign credential. If you completed an accredited nurse anesthesia master's program at a U.S. university on an F-1 visa, you qualify for OPT regardless of your prior education abroad. However, your employer's H-1B specialty occupation petition will require a credential evaluation of your foreign degree, so obtain one from a NACES-approved evaluator before you begin the sponsorship process.
What happens to my OPT status if I change CRNA employers mid-authorization?
F-1 OPT allows you to change employers during your authorized period, but you must report the change to your DSO within 10 days, and any gap between positions cannot exceed 90 days in aggregate or USCIS may consider your status violated. Your new employer will need to restart the H-1B sponsorship process from the beginning, including filing a new LCA and I-129 petition, so factor the sponsorship timeline into your decision before accepting a new offer.