OPT Orthopaedic Surgeon Jobs
Orthopaedic surgeon roles on OPT require employer sponsorship from a hospital system, academic medical center, or large orthopedic practice with the infrastructure to support H-1B visa filing. Most positions are in residency completion pipelines or fellowship-to-attending tracks. STEM OPT extension does not apply to MD-level clinical roles, so your 12-month OPT window is the key timeline to manage.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Carilion Clinic, headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia, is seeking a BE/BC Orthopaedic Surgeon with fellowship training in Foot & Ankle Surgery to join the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
This is a unique opportunity to assume a high-volume, established large Orthopaedic Surgery Department practice within a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, working alongside a full complement of podiatrists, Orthopaedic Surgery residents, Podiatry Residents and advanced practice providers. The position focuses on the full spectrum of foot and ankle care, with minimal general orthopaedic and trauma call, supported by a dedicated orthopaedic trauma service. Surgical care is delivered at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, a 700+ bed academic, tertiary referral center with a Level I Trauma designation for both adult and pediatric populations.
The Carilion Clinic Department of Orthopaedic Surgery includes 50+ physicians and 50+ advanced practice providers across seven subspecialty divisions, providing comprehensive, patient-centered care throughout the region. Faculty are actively engaged in education, including teaching medical students at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM), as well as orthopaedic and podiatry residents, as well as physician assistant students.
The department supports a robust academic mission, including fellowship programs in:
- Scoliosis and Spine Surgery (1)
- Adult Reconstruction (2)
- Foot and Ankle Surgery / Foot and Ankle Research (1)
- Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery (1)
- Musculoskeletal Research (3)
Additional programs include a Podiatry Residency with 9 residents (3 per year) and a recently established Orthopaedic Residency with four residents per year (PGY 1, 2 and 3).
This position offers the advantages of an academic practice within a highly collaborative health system, combined with the efficiency and collegiality of a community-based model. Faculty appointments are held through the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, and research opportunities are supported by the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute.
New graduates are encouraged to apply.
Carilion Clinic is a physician-led, multi-specialty healthcare organization serving nearly one million patients across western Virginia. The system includes:
- 7 hospitals
- 295 outpatient clinics
- 860 physicians across 86+ specialties
- 350 residents and fellows in 30 ACGME-accredited programs
The Roanoke Valley, with a metropolitan population of approximately 300,000 and a total catchment of around 1 million, is consistently recognized as one of the best places to live in the United States. Located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area offers exceptional outdoor recreation, including proximity to the Appalachian Trail and Smith Mountain Lake. In addition to its natural beauty, Roanoke offers a vibrant cultural environment with fine dining, performing arts, symphony and theater, and strong educational institutions. The region combines accessibility, livability, and high quality of life, making it an outstanding place to live and practice.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Board eligible or board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery
- Completion of an accredited Foot & Ankle Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship
BENEFITS
The posted salary range may not reflect the full value of the total compensation package. You are eligible to participate in the Tier 1 and Tier 2 bonus compensation programs to improve the minimum salary.
- Min 446,000
- Max 638,000
Historical averages of Tier 1 and Tier 2 bonus earnings are included in the maximum salary. In addition, comprehensive benefits and pension offerings further enhance the overall rewards package.
- Sign on bonus
- CME Allowance
- Benefits include: Health, Dental, Vision, 403b, 457b, Disability
- Employer Funded Pension Plan
- Paid Reasonable Relocation expenses
- Paid Malpractice
INTRODUCTION
Carilion Clinic, headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia, is seeking a BE/BC Orthopaedic Surgeon with fellowship training in Foot & Ankle Surgery to join the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
This is a unique opportunity to assume a high-volume, established large Orthopaedic Surgery Department practice within a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, working alongside a full complement of podiatrists, Orthopaedic Surgery residents, Podiatry Residents and advanced practice providers. The position focuses on the full spectrum of foot and ankle care, with minimal general orthopaedic and trauma call, supported by a dedicated orthopaedic trauma service. Surgical care is delivered at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, a 700+ bed academic, tertiary referral center with a Level I Trauma designation for both adult and pediatric populations.
The Carilion Clinic Department of Orthopaedic Surgery includes 50+ physicians and 50+ advanced practice providers across seven subspecialty divisions, providing comprehensive, patient-centered care throughout the region. Faculty are actively engaged in education, including teaching medical students at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM), as well as orthopaedic and podiatry residents, as well as physician assistant students.
The department supports a robust academic mission, including fellowship programs in:
- Scoliosis and Spine Surgery (1)
- Adult Reconstruction (2)
- Foot and Ankle Surgery / Foot and Ankle Research (1)
- Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery (1)
- Musculoskeletal Research (3)
Additional programs include a Podiatry Residency with 9 residents (3 per year) and a recently established Orthopaedic Residency with four residents per year (PGY 1, 2 and 3).
This position offers the advantages of an academic practice within a highly collaborative health system, combined with the efficiency and collegiality of a community-based model. Faculty appointments are held through the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, and research opportunities are supported by the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute.
New graduates are encouraged to apply.
Carilion Clinic is a physician-led, multi-specialty healthcare organization serving nearly one million patients across western Virginia. The system includes:
- 7 hospitals
- 295 outpatient clinics
- 860 physicians across 86+ specialties
- 350 residents and fellows in 30 ACGME-accredited programs
The Roanoke Valley, with a metropolitan population of approximately 300,000 and a total catchment of around 1 million, is consistently recognized as one of the best places to live in the United States. Located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area offers exceptional outdoor recreation, including proximity to the Appalachian Trail and Smith Mountain Lake. In addition to its natural beauty, Roanoke offers a vibrant cultural environment with fine dining, performing arts, symphony and theater, and strong educational institutions. The region combines accessibility, livability, and high quality of life, making it an outstanding place to live and practice.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Board eligible or board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery
- Completion of an accredited Foot & Ankle Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship
BENEFITS
The posted salary range may not reflect the full value of the total compensation package. You are eligible to participate in the Tier 1 and Tier 2 bonus compensation programs to improve the minimum salary.
- Min 446,000
- Max 638,000
Historical averages of Tier 1 and Tier 2 bonus earnings are included in the maximum salary. In addition, comprehensive benefits and pension offerings further enhance the overall rewards package.
- Sign on bonus
- CME Allowance
- Benefits include: Health, Dental, Vision, 403b, 457b, Disability
- Employer Funded Pension Plan
- Paid Reasonable Relocation expenses
- Paid Malpractice
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Orthopaedic Surgeon
Target academic medical centers first
University-affiliated hospitals and academic medical centers sponsor foreign physicians far more frequently than private practices. They have dedicated HR and legal infrastructure for H-1B visa filings, making them the most realistic employers for OPT-to-sponsorship transitions in orthopedic surgery.
Align your job search with your OPT end date
Orthopedic attending hiring cycles run 12 to 18 months ahead of start dates. Begin your search early enough that an employer can file an H-1B petition before your OPT authorization expires, or negotiate a start date that falls within your valid work authorization window.
Confirm sponsorship willingness before interviews
Many orthopedic groups assume candidates are permanent residents or citizens. Ask directly whether the group has sponsored H-1B physicians before. A practice with no prior sponsorship history may decline on administrative grounds, not clinical ones, wasting valuable time in your search.
Fellowship positions can extend your authorized stay
Completing an orthopedic subspecialty fellowship after residency adds training time under your authorized status and strengthens your candidacy. Programs at teaching hospitals often have GME offices experienced with visa paperwork, giving you institutional support during the sponsorship process.
Document your specialty occupation clearly
Orthopedic surgery qualifies as a specialty occupation, but your employer's attorney will need your medical school credentials, ECFMG certification, and board exam records. Organizing these documents before sponsorship discussions begin speeds up the H-1B petition process considerably.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified sponsoring employers
Searching broadly wastes time when your OPT window is limited. Migrate Mate surfaces orthopedic surgeon roles at employers with documented H-1B sponsorship history, letting you focus your applications on practices and hospital systems that have already committed to sponsoring foreign physicians.
Orthopaedic Surgeon OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an orthopaedic surgeon on OPT?
Yes, if you hold an F-1 visa and have completed a qualifying degree program, you can work as an orthopaedic surgeon during your OPT period. Your employment must be directly related to your degree field. Clinical MD roles qualify, but you must secure a position before your OPT authorization begins and ensure your employer is prepared to sponsor your H-1B before your OPT expires.
Does the STEM OPT extension apply to orthopaedic surgeons?
No. The 24-month STEM OPT extension only applies to degrees in STEM-designated programs as classified by the Department of Homeland Security. Medical degrees, including Doctor of Medicine programs, are not on the STEM designation list. Orthopaedic surgeons on OPT have a 12-month authorization window and should plan their H-1B sponsorship timeline accordingly.
What type of employer is most likely to sponsor an orthopaedic surgeon for an H-1B?
Academic medical centers, large hospital systems such as those affiliated with university residency programs, and multispecialty physician groups with dedicated legal and HR infrastructure are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for orthopaedic surgeons. Small independent private practices rarely have the administrative capacity to manage the sponsorship process. Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for employers with H-1B sponsorship history in surgical specialties.
How does ECFMG certification affect my OPT eligibility as a foreign medical graduate?
ECFMG certification is a licensing requirement, not an OPT eligibility requirement. OPT authorization comes from your F-1 status and degree completion, not your medical credentials. However, you cannot practice clinically without ECFMG certification, an active state medical license, and hospital credentialing. All of these must be in place before your first day of employment, and the timelines involved should be factored into your OPT planning.
What happens if my OPT expires before my H-1B is approved?
If your employer files your H-1B cap-subject petition before April 1 and your OPT is still valid on that date, a timely filing rule protects your work authorization through October 1, when the new H-1B fiscal year begins. If your OPT expires before a petition is filed or approved outside that window, you cannot continue working legally. Planning your job search and sponsorship timeline well in advance is essential to avoid a gap in authorization.