OPT Nursing Aide Jobs
Nursing Aide jobs on OPT are available at hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies across the U.S. Most employers require a state CNA certification, which you can obtain while on OPT. STEM OPT extension does not apply to this role, so your 12-month window is what you have to work with.
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Get Access To All JobsTitle: Nurse Aide Instructor - Knox Campus
Salary: $42,000.00
Contract Term Length: 10 Months
Standard Hours: 37.5
Work Location: On-Site
FLSA Status: Exempt
College: Southeast KY Community & Technical College
Campus Location: Southeast Knox Campus
Department: Allied Health
Total Rewards
Southeast KY Community & Technical College offers a competitive benefits package and an attractive work environment that supports excellence, innovation, and creativity, including:
- Exceptional health care, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family
- Tuition reimbursement/waiver for you, your spouse, and dependents
- 403(b) retirement plan: a 5% employee contribution receives a 10% employer match
- Vacation/Sick Time
- Work-Life Balance
- 9.5 Paid Holidays
- 2 Weeks Institutional Closing Pay (Last 2 weeks of December) for qualifying positions
- Employee Assistance Program
Job Summary
Nurse Aide Instructor for the Knox Campus to teach in the expanded Nursing Assistant program, including day, evening, and/or distance-learning courses. Responsibilities include providing instruction and support to both secondary and post-secondary students in classroom, laboratory, clinical, and distance-learning settings. This is a Full-time 10-month position. The start date for this position is January 1, 2027.
Job Duties:
Responsible for instruction in the expanded Nursing Assistant program, including day, evening, and/or distance-learning courses.
- Instruct the 88.5-hour Nurse Aide course, which consists of lectures, skills lab, and at least 16 hours of supervised clinical training in a long-term care facility.
- Follow all federal and state regulations and guidelines pertaining to the Medicaid Nurse Aide program.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for the Nurse Aide program.
- Complete and maintain all required files and pertinent records.
- Instruct Health Science courses for dual-credit students.
- Instruct the 105-hour Kentucky Medication Aide course, which consists of lecture, skills lab, and clinical training in a long-term care facility.
In addition to teaching, faculty members are responsible for professional development, service to the college, and participation in institutional assessment activities. Participation in college and community activities is required. Candidates should be committed to the mission of the community and technical college system, with a primary interest in the teaching and learning process as it relates to two-year college students. This position may require travel to other campuses as needed.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Associate degree in Nursing with a minimum of two years of experience.
- Required to have a minimum of one year of long-term care experience as an RN.
- Required to have or complete the Methods of Instruction (MOI) training.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing with a minimum of two years of experience.
- Required to have a minimum of one year of long-term care experience as an RN.
- Required to have or complete the Methods of Instruction (MOI) training.
Employee Rights - Employee Polygraph Protection Act
Equal Opportunity Employer - The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution.
Title: Nurse Aide Instructor - Knox Campus
Salary: $42,000.00
Contract Term Length: 10 Months
Standard Hours: 37.5
Work Location: On-Site
FLSA Status: Exempt
College: Southeast KY Community & Technical College
Campus Location: Southeast Knox Campus
Department: Allied Health
Total Rewards
Southeast KY Community & Technical College offers a competitive benefits package and an attractive work environment that supports excellence, innovation, and creativity, including:
- Exceptional health care, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family
- Tuition reimbursement/waiver for you, your spouse, and dependents
- 403(b) retirement plan: a 5% employee contribution receives a 10% employer match
- Vacation/Sick Time
- Work-Life Balance
- 9.5 Paid Holidays
- 2 Weeks Institutional Closing Pay (Last 2 weeks of December) for qualifying positions
- Employee Assistance Program
Job Summary
Nurse Aide Instructor for the Knox Campus to teach in the expanded Nursing Assistant program, including day, evening, and/or distance-learning courses. Responsibilities include providing instruction and support to both secondary and post-secondary students in classroom, laboratory, clinical, and distance-learning settings. This is a Full-time 10-month position. The start date for this position is January 1, 2027.
Job Duties:
Responsible for instruction in the expanded Nursing Assistant program, including day, evening, and/or distance-learning courses.
- Instruct the 88.5-hour Nurse Aide course, which consists of lectures, skills lab, and at least 16 hours of supervised clinical training in a long-term care facility.
- Follow all federal and state regulations and guidelines pertaining to the Medicaid Nurse Aide program.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for the Nurse Aide program.
- Complete and maintain all required files and pertinent records.
- Instruct Health Science courses for dual-credit students.
- Instruct the 105-hour Kentucky Medication Aide course, which consists of lecture, skills lab, and clinical training in a long-term care facility.
In addition to teaching, faculty members are responsible for professional development, service to the college, and participation in institutional assessment activities. Participation in college and community activities is required. Candidates should be committed to the mission of the community and technical college system, with a primary interest in the teaching and learning process as it relates to two-year college students. This position may require travel to other campuses as needed.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Associate degree in Nursing with a minimum of two years of experience.
- Required to have a minimum of one year of long-term care experience as an RN.
- Required to have or complete the Methods of Instruction (MOI) training.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing with a minimum of two years of experience.
- Required to have a minimum of one year of long-term care experience as an RN.
- Required to have or complete the Methods of Instruction (MOI) training.
Employee Rights - Employee Polygraph Protection Act
Equal Opportunity Employer - The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Nursing Aide
Get your CNA certification before you graduate
Most Nursing Aide positions require a state-issued CNA certification. Completing your certification before OPT begins means you can start applying immediately and won't lose weeks of your authorization window waiting on exam results.
Target employers who already hire international workers
Large hospital systems and long-term care chains are more likely to have HR processes familiar with OPT work authorization. Smaller private facilities may hesitate simply because they've never worked through the paperwork before, not because they're unwilling.
Be upfront about your OPT timeline on applications
Nursing Aide roles often have urgent hiring needs. Telling employers early that you're authorized to work for 12 months without employer sponsorship removes uncertainty and positions your OPT EAD as a straightforward arrangement rather than a legal complication.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship during later interview stages
Nursing Aide roles don't qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship, but transitioning into an RN or clinical coordinator role at the same employer could. Joining a large health system now and continuing your education keeps that pathway open before your OPT expires.
Research state-specific certification reciprocity before relocating
CNA certifications don't automatically transfer between states. If you're weighing positions in multiple states, confirm the reciprocity rules first so you don't accept a role only to discover you need to retest before your start date.
Use your OPT period to build clinical experience that supports future visa options
Hands-on patient care experience as a Nursing Aide strengthens applications for nursing programs, RN roles, or clinical positions that may qualify for visa sponsorship. Treat this role as a foundation, not a final destination, while your authorization is active.
Nursing Aide OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Nursing Aide on OPT?
Yes. Nursing Aide work is directly related to health sciences, nursing, and allied health degree programs, which satisfies the OPT requirement that your job be connected to your field of study. You'll need a valid EAD card before your start date and a state CNA certification before you begin patient care duties.
Does a Nursing Aide job qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
No. Nursing Aide roles fall under healthcare support occupations, not STEM-designated fields. That means your standard OPT authorization is 12 months, with no 24-month extension available. Planning your next visa step before that window closes is important, whether that's returning to school, transitioning to an RN role, or exploring other pathways.
Do Nursing Aide employers sponsor H-1B visas?
Not for the Nursing Aide job title itself, as it doesn't meet the specialty occupation standard H-1B requires. However, large hospital systems and health networks sometimes sponsor H-1B visas for registered nurses and clinical roles. Working as a Nursing Aide while completing an RN program could position you for sponsorship at the same employer once you qualify.
Where can I find Nursing Aide jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters roles by employers with a history of hiring international workers. Browsing Nursing Aide listings on Migrate Mate lets you focus your applications on facilities that are already familiar with OPT work authorization, which reduces the back-and-forth during hiring.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I lose my Nursing Aide job?
You have a cumulative 90-day unemployment limit during standard OPT. If you lose your Nursing Aide position, that clock starts immediately. Report any changes in employment to your DSO as soon as possible and update your SEVP portal record. Finding a new position or enrolling in further education before the 90 days are up protects your F-1 status.