OPT Nursing Assistant Jobs
Nursing Assistant jobs on OPT are available at hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies across the U.S. Most roles qualify under the CIP code for Health Sciences, supporting STEM OPT extension eligibility for graduates of accredited allied health programs. Clinical experience gained during OPT counts toward future licensure and credential requirements.
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Location:
Sioux Center, IA
Worker Type:
Regular
Work Shift:
Primarily days with possible weekends/evenings/holidays (United States of America)
Discover a Career of Faith and Healing: For over 70 years, Sioux Center Health has served patients with Jesus’ healing ministry. With eight locations located in Sioux Center, Iowa and surrounding communities, we take great pride in providing superior care in our state-of-the-art facilities.
A Career that You Will Love: There’s no other way to say it: You will love working here. Between our strong mission and our great people, we have nurtured a pretty exceptional culture at Sioux Center Health.
A Chance to Make a Difference: Working with us means making a real difference in the lives of our community members. Your talents and your passions are truly appreciated here. In addition to the service we provide, Sioux Center Health also supports our community with sponsored programs and events, and other volunteer work. If this is your passion, you need to consider joining our team driven to provide quality care and services within a caring Christian culture.
Position Highlights
At Sioux Center Health, our people are the heart of everything we do. Guided by a strong mission and a commitment to exceptional care, we've built a stable, thriving organization where employees make a meaningful difference. Our dedication to excellence is reflected in the recognition we have earned. Sioux Center Health has been named a Top Workplace in Iowa, received Best of the Northwest honors in 13 categories—including Best Place to Work—and earned a Five-Star Patient Survey Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We have also been recognized as a Chartis Top 100 Critical Access Hospital and Top Hospital in Iowa. Our Care Center has received the LeadingAge Excellence in Workplace Award, reflecting our commitment to creating a positive environment for both residents and employees. Beyond our organization, you'll find an outstanding community to call home. Sioux County was ranked #4 in the nation among the Healthiest Communities by U.S. News & World Report and CVS Health, reflecting the high quality of life and strong community values that make this region a great place to live, work, and grow.
Summary
The Clinical Nursing Educator embraces resident family centered care and models Sioux Center Health’s values of hospitality, compassion, respect & justice. They are responsible for assessing, planning, coordinating, teaching, and/or evaluating education and training programs for all team members.
General Hours of Work
Days/Evenings. Must be flexible to meet the needs of the Care Center.
Education and/or Experience
Graduate of an accredited school of nursing for licensed vocational practical nurse or registered nurse. Minimum of one year of experience in Long Term Care preferred.
Certificate, Licenses, Registrations
Current RN/LPN license in the State of Iowa. Must obtain CPR certification within 3 months of hire date.
Essential Functions
- Responsible to manage the orientation, staff development and ongoing professional development, education, and mentoring for new or current team members.
- May participate in coordinating orientation schedules with scheduler or CNA Coordinator.
- Provides feedback, coaching, and mentors designated audience; ensures orientation documentation processes are complete and filed; follows up at regular intervals to evaluate continued progress; and ongoing collaborates with managers and preceptors as to needs and concerns.
- Expected to continuously develop, monitor, and evaluate all programs related to orientation, professional development, education, and mentoring for quality improvement opportunities and other initiatives.
- Makes recommendations to the LTC Manager for policies and procedures that govern the day to day operations.
- Must be able to organize, plan, coordinate, and facilitate educational programs, utilize adult learning principles, use various teaching/learning methodologies and provide role modeling and leadership.
- Assists in the managerial responsibilities (training employees, planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems).
- Strong Communication skills.
- Supervisory and leadership skills to develop/supervise staff in a team environment.
- Ability to make independent decisions and handle emergency situations with professionalism and efficiency.
- Additional projects as assigned by LTC Manager.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned. Includes working the floor to cover open shifts and when short staffed.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Nursing Assistant
Confirm your CIP code supports the role
Nursing Assistant positions typically fall under Health Sciences CIP codes. Before applying, verify with your DSO that your degree program's CIP code aligns with the role to avoid authorization issues during OPT or STEM extension.
Target employers with established OPT hiring
Large hospital systems and nursing home chains have HR teams familiar with OPT work authorization. Smaller private clinics may lack the administrative capacity to handle the paperwork, so prioritize employers with structured onboarding processes.
Get your state CNA certification before you apply
Most states require a Certified Nursing Assistant credential to work legally in the role. Completing your state's certification exam before applying removes a key hiring barrier and signals you're ready to start work immediately.
Track your OPT end date against your job search timeline
OPT authorization has a firm expiration date. Begin your job search at least three months before your EAD end date so you have time to receive offers, complete onboarding, and begin work before your authorization lapses.
Clarify your work authorization early in conversations
Nursing employers often ask about authorization during the first interview. Be prepared to explain OPT clearly, including your EAD card, authorized start and end dates, and your employer's responsibility to report your hire to your DSO.
Document clinical hours carefully for licensure pathways
Hours worked as a Nursing Assistant on OPT can count toward RN licensure requirements in many states. Keep detailed records of your hours, supervisor credentials, and facility type throughout your OPT period for future applications.
Nursing Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Nursing Assistant on OPT?
Yes, as long as your position is directly related to your field of study. Nursing Assistant roles generally qualify for Health Sciences graduates. You must have a valid EAD before starting work, and your employer must be a legitimate U.S. business. Confirm the match with your DSO before accepting any offer to protect your OPT status.
Do Nursing Assistant jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. If your degree falls under an approved STEM CIP code in health or biological sciences, and the Nursing Assistant role uses those skills, you may qualify. Confirm with your DSO and ensure your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, which is required for all STEM OPT extensions.
Will Nursing Assistant employers sponsor an H-1B visa after OPT?
H-1B visa sponsorship for Nursing Assistant roles is uncommon because the position does not typically meet the specialty occupation standard requiring a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Graduates interested in long-term U.S. work authorization in healthcare should consider roles like Registered Nurse or healthcare administrator, which more commonly support H-1B petitions.
Do I need a CNA license to work as a Nursing Assistant on OPT?
In most states, yes. A Certified Nursing Assistant credential is legally required to work in licensed facilities including hospitals and nursing homes. Certification requirements vary by state but generally include a training program and a competency exam. Completing certification before your OPT period starts puts you in a much stronger position when applying.
Where can I find Nursing Assistant jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by work authorization compatibility. Searching on Migrate Mate lets you identify Nursing Assistant openings at employers familiar with OPT, so you can focus your applications on roles where your authorization is understood and accepted from the start.