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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Overview

Open Jobs184+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type99% On-site
Median Salary$154K
Top LocationChicago, IL
Most JobsHenry Ford Health

Showing 5 of 184+ Nurse Anesthetist jobs

Fairview Health Services
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
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Fairview Health Services
New 17h ago
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Fairview Health Services
Edina, Minnesota
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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The General Hospital Corporation
Nurse Anesthetist
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The General Hospital Corporation
New 20h ago
Nurse Anesthetist
The General Hospital Corporation
Boston, Massachusetts
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$223,683/yr - $264,846/yr
On-Site
Master's

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WellSpan Health
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
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WellSpan Health
Added 1d ago
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
WellSpan Health
York, Pennsylvania
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$250,000/yr
On-Site
1+ yr exp.
Master's
10,000+

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Geisinger
CRNA Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
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Geisinger
Added 2d ago
CRNA Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Geisinger
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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MaineHealth
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
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MaineHealth
Added 2d ago
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
MaineHealth
Damariscotta, Maine
Nursing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Master's
10,000+

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See all 184+ Nurse Anesthetist Jobs

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See all 184+ OPT Nurse Anesthetist Jobs

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Tips 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.